Jagruti*, a 46-year-old woman from Hyderabad, had a difficult childhood. She lost her parents when she was very young and had to live with her relatives, who did not care for her. At the age of 10, she ran away from home with some friends who were visiting Mumbai. But soon after reaching the city, she got separated from them and was lost. A kind lady took her in and raised her until she was 18 years old. Later, Jagruti started working as a housemaid alongside this lady.
During her regular visits for work, Jagruti befriended another woman who, after some months, took her for a city tour, and on that pretext, led her to the red-light area in Ghatkopar. Since she was unfamiliar with travel in Mumbai and didn’t know how to return home, Jagruti got trapped in the sex trade. She was very young and did not want to do this work. She was beaten, forced, and had no one to turn to for help. Over time, she got into a relationship with a man and had five children. However, he never supported her or their children, and Jagruti had to raise them on her own.
Sahaara staff first met Jagruti during one of their field visits in Ghatkopar. They spoke to her and slowly built trust. Seeing her situation, they offered help with her children’s education and hostel admissions. With their support, her children moved into hostels where they could study safely and grow up in a healthy environment. Two of her children are now in aftercare and continue to stay connected with their mother.
Apart from helping her children, Sahaara also supported Jagruti directly. She joined programmes like adult literacy, mentoring, medical support, and awareness sessions. One of the biggest challenges Jagruti faced was when her son went missing. The Sahaara team helped her file an FIR, and they worked with the police to find him. This gave her strength and trust in herself.
Jagruti started attending regular mentoring sessions where she was encouraged to think about her future. Before this, she used to depend on others for every decision, often influenced by friends. But now, she feels more confident and takes decisions on her own. With Sahaara’s help, she found a job as a housekeeper and has now exited the sex trade. She goes to work regularly and does her job with dedication.
She says, “I was not able to think or take decisions for myself. But the Sahaara team helped me. They supported my children in getting good education and helped me find a good job and a better life.”
Jagruti’s dream is simple. She wants to live a peaceful and respectful life and be with her children as they grow.
(Names changed to protect identities.)