'O Holy Night' had a new ring to it this year for me as I sang it with others during Christmas at Freeset*, nearby one of the largest red-light districts in Kolkata.
"Truly he taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother,
And in His name all oppression shall cease."
Somehow I don't think I've noticed these lines in this familiar Christmas song before. In His birth, teaching, life, death and Resurrecion, Jesus ushered in a new holistic freedom. Its easy to long for that in the midst of this city, as I come to understand and witness more of the local sex trade. Women line the street, day in and day out, waiting for customers with heavy makeup and in a mix of Western and Indian dress. It is estimated that 20,000 work in prostitution in this city (http://saribari.com/about-human-trafficking/).
"Truly he taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother,
And in His name all oppression shall cease."
Somehow I don't think I've noticed these lines in this familiar Christmas song before. In His birth, teaching, life, death and Resurrecion, Jesus ushered in a new holistic freedom. Its easy to long for that in the midst of this city, as I come to understand and witness more of the local sex trade. Women line the street, day in and day out, waiting for customers with heavy makeup and in a mix of Western and Indian dress. It is estimated that 20,000 work in prostitution in this city (http://saribari.com/about-human-trafficking/).
I am nearing the end of my second season in Kolkata--connecting with organizations working with women in the red-light district. I have been staying in my own room just a 5 minute walk to Freeset, close to other expats, and sharing living space with an Irish woman volunteering with Grandmas. I am continuing to enjoy time with my boyfriend Kenny, although cant believe only 10 days left here!
My involvement with these organizations has included:
--assisting Freeset's psychologist to develop a curriculum so that there is more organized psychosocial support for the 200+ mainly female employees
--leading groups for ex-pats on trauma stewardship
--a couple leadership trainings on Stress Management, Self Care, and Conflict Resolution for SariBari's Bengali management team
--continuing to visit my host family, and spend time with Servants team members
--attending a couple of Grandma's Christmas programs for kids in the area, helping with photography and games
*If you haven't watched the Freeset video yet, its short and gives you a great glimpse of their work.
*If you haven't watched the Freeset video yet, its short and gives you a great glimpse of their work.
Fortunately, I haven't been in the actual district all that much. Ive had the privilege of seeing the incredible work of Freeset and Saribari that employ over 300 women, all who formally worked in the trade. I've gotten to learn from those working here and hear stories about the growth and challenges the women face. Although there are still challenges, (health problems, debt, strained familiar relationships, etc.) the women have a new way of life. During the morning devotions, it is beautiful to see the women singing, laughing, and praying with and for each other. These organizations are more than businesses, they are becoming community and family to women who are marginalized and stigmatized by their own families--even the ones who sold them into the sex trade.
Before Christmas I went to a woman's home who has worked at Freeset now for 12 years, one of the originals. She still lives in the same room she used to service clients in, a building that houses 40 families in incredibly close quarters--with her next door neighbor and other women still taking clients. I can't imagine the work, let alone living in the same space years later. Brothels are different here, yes there are some that women can't leave from, but others simply seem to be very run down residences--tiny rooms that barely fit a bed. She warmly welcomed us into her home, inviting myself and two other foreigners to sit on the bed, as she brought out tasty dishes she had prepared in advance, cooked out on a little staircase well that she shares with the other 5 families on the same floor. It was beautiful and humbling to be received by this joy-filled, gracious woman, serving us who have come 'to serve' in the midst of her poverty.
After dinner, she proudly showed me a magazine article, publishing her sons photographs and telling her story. When her son was eleven, he'd been given a camera by a UN project and encouraged to take photos of his life. The camera became an outlet, a voice, and he began to encourage his mother to get out of the trade. His photos have taken him around the world. His mother, our host, is now a trainer in one of the sewing rooms, and has connected other women from her building and neighborhood with jobs at Freeset, helping them get out of what they thought was their only work.
The photos are of the article, laid out on the very bed pictured. As you may imagine, it was very impactful--sitting on the bed where she used to host customers. The issue of 'sex trafficking' was funneled down to this reality, this home, this woman in front of me. The reality has different faces and forms around the world, but each woman, man, child, is unique. Each, I do believe, known and Beloved by God.
'Oppression shall cease...'
We live in the already, but not yet. The Kingdom that is here, breaking in, and still coming. It is beautiful to see glimpses of the Kingdom, to come alongside long term staff as they cry out for more change, clinging to Hope in the midst of the vast numbers of women caught in prostitution. It is a privilege to be here, to witness these social businesses, and come alongside staff supporting them in the work they do and encourage them in ways of taking care of themselves.
I welcome your prayers as I near the end of my time here, and prepare to transition home. I do love hearing any reflections from these posts as well as how you are doing this new year!
Before Christmas I went to a woman's home who has worked at Freeset now for 12 years, one of the originals. She still lives in the same room she used to service clients in, a building that houses 40 families in incredibly close quarters--with her next door neighbor and other women still taking clients. I can't imagine the work, let alone living in the same space years later. Brothels are different here, yes there are some that women can't leave from, but others simply seem to be very run down residences--tiny rooms that barely fit a bed. She warmly welcomed us into her home, inviting myself and two other foreigners to sit on the bed, as she brought out tasty dishes she had prepared in advance, cooked out on a little staircase well that she shares with the other 5 families on the same floor. It was beautiful and humbling to be received by this joy-filled, gracious woman, serving us who have come 'to serve' in the midst of her poverty.
After dinner, she proudly showed me a magazine article, publishing her sons photographs and telling her story. When her son was eleven, he'd been given a camera by a UN project and encouraged to take photos of his life. The camera became an outlet, a voice, and he began to encourage his mother to get out of the trade. His photos have taken him around the world. His mother, our host, is now a trainer in one of the sewing rooms, and has connected other women from her building and neighborhood with jobs at Freeset, helping them get out of what they thought was their only work.
The photos are of the article, laid out on the very bed pictured. As you may imagine, it was very impactful--sitting on the bed where she used to host customers. The issue of 'sex trafficking' was funneled down to this reality, this home, this woman in front of me. The reality has different faces and forms around the world, but each woman, man, child, is unique. Each, I do believe, known and Beloved by God.
'Oppression shall cease...'
We live in the already, but not yet. The Kingdom that is here, breaking in, and still coming. It is beautiful to see glimpses of the Kingdom, to come alongside long term staff as they cry out for more change, clinging to Hope in the midst of the vast numbers of women caught in prostitution. It is a privilege to be here, to witness these social businesses, and come alongside staff supporting them in the work they do and encourage them in ways of taking care of themselves.
I welcome your prayers as I near the end of my time here, and prepare to transition home. I do love hearing any reflections from these posts as well as how you are doing this new year!
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