I know what I have gone through, with dreams of a better life shattered, being subject to humiliation, harassment, and deceit; but I have come back,” says “Jyotsna.” “I am strengthened by the support of the Church of North India [CNI] and the women leaders of my village. Together we will protect other women and girls from going through what I have gone through.”

Jyotsna left her village to earn money to help support her family. She had been promised a decent job in Delhi by someone who actually trafficked in people. She was abused by the trafficker and then at a place where she worked as a maid. She fled back to her village, without earnings and feeling betrayed.

“I suffered from a sense of guilt and shame when I returned from Delhi,” continues Jyotsna. “But since that time, CNI members who work with their anti-trafficking program have come to our village and shared about trafficking. They have personally counseled me and my family members. With their help I have started feeling better. Since then I have worked as a volunteer with CNI. I help prepare those who leave the village to look for work and encourage them to protect themselves from exploitation. I also work with family members to inform them of the rights of children and women.

“As I did this work, I gained a sense of worth and confidence. What was overwhelming for me was when I was invited by CNI, the United Nations Development Fund for Women, and the Media Coalition to be a resource person in the Workshop on Gender-Sensitive Rights-Based Reporting for media personnel. I am myself not literate, and I was concerned about my ability to educate others. I was nervous at first. But I realized that being asked was a beautiful way of giving dignity to me, something that I did not understand earlier but now have experienced. It is a beautiful feeling now.”

Partners/Ministries
Baring Union Christian College: Rev. R. M. Chaudhary, principal, Christian Retreat and Study Centre, Rajpur: Rev. P. K. Tandy, director • Henry Martyn Institute, Hyderabad: Dr. Andreas D’Souza, director • Mar Thoma Syrian Church, Malabar: The Most Rev. Dr. Philipose Mar Chrysostom, metropolitan • Kodaikanal International School: Mr. Geoffrey Fisher, principal • Mussoorie Gramin Vikas Samiti: Mr. Surender Singh, coordinator • Sangli Industrial School: Mr. Sandip W. Raut, principal • Woodstock School: Dr. David Jeffery, principal • Emmanuel Hospital Association: Dr. Verghese Philip, executive director • Presbyterian Church of India: Rev. Laldawngliana, administrative secretary, Rev. C. Rosiama, moderator • Mizoram Synod of the Presbyterian Church of India: Rev. C. Rosiama, senior executive secretary, Rev. Chanchinmawia, moderator • Christian Medical Association of India: Dr. Vijay Aruldas, general secretary • Christian Medical College, Ludhiana: Dr. Silas Charles, director • Christian Medical College and Hospital at Vellore: Dr. George Chandy, director

PC(USA) General Assembly Staff
Rev. Barry A. Ensign-George, GAC
Elder Betsy J. Ensign-George, GAC
Elder Joyce E. Evans, OGA