Trafficking survivors get much-needed aid

According to Moumita Khati, the Programme Director of Light House Disha, all the six will be placed for on-job training (OJT) in a reputed firm and given a monthly stipend.

SNS, SILIGURI , 3 OCTOBER 2022: Light House Disha, an antihuman trafficking initiative of the Siliguri Community Transformation and Welfare Society, has awarded certificates to six human trafficking survivors hailing from North Bengal after completion of the Beauty & Hair and Fashion & Garment Making course.

According to Moumita Khati, the Programme Director of Light House Disha, all the six will be placed for on-job training (OJT) in a reputed firm and given a monthly stipend.

The organisation has been working to provide aftercare services and skill training to survivors of human trafficking and at-risk women and girls of North Bengal since 2015.

"After three months of the OJT, they will be given permanent placements with a minimum salary of Rs 6000, or more, depending on their performance," Mrs Khati said today.

The certificates were given away to the survivors on 26 September by Mrs Khati, Twameka Das, the President of the Siliguri Community Transformation and Welfare Society, Rev Benjamin Khati, Founder, Holy Word Ministries, and Amit Sarkar, Founder General Secretary of the Darjeeling District Legal Aid Forum.

"Light House Disha has helped restore and train 100-plus trafficked survivors and at-risk girls from indigenous communities to live a life filled with choices and opportunities, reaching over 300 indigenous community members in North Bengal since 2015," Mrs Khati said.

According to her, the survivors under their care have been working in corporate offices in Siliguri as guest relations executives after successful completion of the hospitality training with a salary package of Rs 15,000.

"One survivor of human trafficking is working as a vocational trainer, and another is preparing to appear for class 10 and 12 board examinations, to name a few of our success stories," she added.

According to Mrs Khati, these stories of restoration help them further their mission to holistically restore survivors of human trafficking, commercial sexual exploitation, child sexual abuse, domestic violence and child labour, while also helping at-risk women and girls live a life of freedom, economic independence, dignity and hope with a survivor-centric approach.