Thanks to a few generous supporters, all gifts received by August 31, are being matched, up to $400,000!
This is JVI’s largest Summer of Freedom Matching Challenge to-date. The funds raised will be put to work immediately to bring sustained freedom to thousands of children, women, and men. Stories of hope are made possible because of friends like you who give generously to support this work.
At the age of 16, she was sold to a brothel in Bihar where she was forced into commercial sexual exploitation, at times pulled out of bed in the wee hours of the morning to engage with inebriated men. During her rescue back in November 2018, Kusum displayed extreme courage and determination when she spoke up in front of police officials, JVI staff and her captors to inform the rescue team of other young girls being held captive in neighboring facilities. The team then proceeded to raid four adjoining brothels and rescued seven other girls.
Kusum eventually was reunited with her family and, through JVI’s Aftercare program, received skills training and a sewing machine which she used to support herself. During this time of healing, she also got a chance to restore old relationships, like one with her childhood friend, Rajiv*. This rekindled friendship grew into a more serious relationship and the two decided to get married. Soon their families met and gave their blessing.
On the day of the wedding, JVI celebrated the union with a gift for the new couple at the marriage where they were surrounded by family, friends, and JVI staff members. In the wake of her rescue, Kusum embraced all the opportunities for growth provided to her and is fully reintegrated into society. At age 18, Kusum exercised the freedom to choose her husband and now possesses the skills needed to help provide for her family.
Today, living with her husband in a small village in Bihar, Kusum proudly displays her wedding gift in the corner of her kitchen – a symbol of hope and a precious reminder of caring people like you in the world who are supporting and praying for her as she embarks on this new chapter in her life.
*names changed to protect confidentiality
A portion of our Summer of Freedom match is a special opportunity for Indian citizens: A generous JVI supporter is providing a $25,000 matching grant for all gifts made by Indian citizens, including non-resident Indians! This is an incredible opportunity for JVI to mobilize new funding for India that will directly impact thousands of vulnerable poor and oppressed children, women, and men this year.
There are three ways you can join this effort.
If you are an Indian citizen residing in India or a non-resident Indian citizen living in the USA (i.e., an “NRI”), you can donate directly to the Justice Ventures India Trust (“JVIT”) here.
You can help us reach this goal by sharing this news with your networks. Please forward this email to those who meet the criteria and may want to support our work.
Do you have a network of friends or family who are Indian citizens and would be interested in hearing about our work? We would be delighted to present to a group in person or online. For more information, email Leigh McAfee, Director of Development, at lmcafee@justiceventures.org.
(202) 455-0812
contact@justiceventures.org
P.O. Box 2834
Washington, DC 20013-2834
