Books for Children in Kolkata
Donation protected
Education is power! Along with shelter and employment, these are the keys to helping survivors of human trafficking and extreme abuse remain free forever. I'm fundraising $1000.00 to put a small library into the Red Light Resource Center in the Burabazzar Red Light Area in Kolkata (Calcutta), India. Raised funds will build a wooden bookcase and stock it with books in English and Bangla for all ages up to young adult, from Dr. Suess to J.K. Rowling.
While not the case for every young woman I work with, many I do work with are human trafficking survivors and some were born in brothels. They are extremely impoverished, barely educated and, always at high risk for trafficking. Education empowers survivors and there is a dire need where I work in Kolkata. Whether it be elementary school, books or vocational training, we are looking to help break the cycles of abuse through educating women and children suffering human rights abuses.
On Valentine's Day I will be traveling back to India to work with Her Future Coalition, formerly Made By Survivors, a women's and children's empowerment organization. I'm so thrilled to be going back and seeing my far away family, sit in a class and teach and brush up on my Bangla; it's been about four years and I really miss it all. My trip is a little shorter than my usual ones so I'm trying to make a big impact!
These children and teens need to be exposed to books and look at illustrations sparking the thirst for knowledge. The kids all need a place to go when their mothers are working and a stocked bookcase will make a big difference here. Even the smallest amount helps.
While I am in Kolkata, I will use the funds to execute Operation Bookshelf by having the bookshelf built and order and shop at local vendors for books. I'll post project updates and videos of the progess. Thanks for considering my project!
While not the case for every young woman I work with, many I do work with are human trafficking survivors and some were born in brothels. They are extremely impoverished, barely educated and, always at high risk for trafficking. Education empowers survivors and there is a dire need where I work in Kolkata. Whether it be elementary school, books or vocational training, we are looking to help break the cycles of abuse through educating women and children suffering human rights abuses.
On Valentine's Day I will be traveling back to India to work with Her Future Coalition, formerly Made By Survivors, a women's and children's empowerment organization. I'm so thrilled to be going back and seeing my far away family, sit in a class and teach and brush up on my Bangla; it's been about four years and I really miss it all. My trip is a little shorter than my usual ones so I'm trying to make a big impact!
These children and teens need to be exposed to books and look at illustrations sparking the thirst for knowledge. The kids all need a place to go when their mothers are working and a stocked bookcase will make a big difference here. Even the smallest amount helps.
While I am in Kolkata, I will use the funds to execute Operation Bookshelf by having the bookshelf built and order and shop at local vendors for books. I'll post project updates and videos of the progess. Thanks for considering my project!
Organizer and beneficiary
Dianna Badalament
Organizer
Healdsburg, CA
Amanda Bonfiglio Cunningham
Beneficiary
