Continuing Transformation…(12/06/2009)

Transforming lives is a challenging task. Change demands commitment, courage and the ability to adapt to a completely new set of circumstances.

Imagine going from the urban, cramped setting of a slum in Mumbai, working as a commercial sex worker or growing up in a family where sex work brings the only income to the solitude of the country overnight; a jarring experience, but a necessary one for the women and children who now call the Transformation Center home.

These women have committed to a new life, leaving behind the trappings of a tragic set of circumstances for a fresh start. With each passing month, the children are more comfortable in their daily routine of school, homework, English lessons and nightly time of study and prayer.

According to the Ministry of Women and Child Development India is home to 2.4 million prostitutes. Mumbai is well known for having the largest sex trade industry in Asia.

Away from the hot, dirty streets of Mumbai slums and red light districts Prem Kiran Transformation Center (PKTC) is an oasis for the women and children who come to live there. In stark contrast with the grey smog of Mumbai city, the PKTC is located two hours away from the city in the plush setting of scenic fields and hills and its own garden. At the PKTC women receive not only a new location to begin a new life, but the guidance and support of our team of doctors, counselors, teachers, and caretakers. It is the goal of PKTC to provide a place of growth and restoration for the women who come for help.

In the last quarter, the PKTC has seen many exciting advancements.  There are now more than thirty resident children with their mothers. The children have been growing in a robust variety of skills. Besides their usual classes, school-going and counseling, over the past few months they have been participating in music, drawing and dance classes. In each of these skills, different children have shown their interest and talents. In their twice weekly music classes the children have picked up the casio, triple congo drums, harmonica, guitar, and piano. The children have also enjoyed  dance classes. One girl, Pooja, has shown special talent and has performed the Bharatha Nattiam dance with brilliant skill. Additionally, the children had school holidays in the beginning of the year so we were able to conduct a three day vocational Bible study workshop. For this workshop the children were taught special dance pieces, songs with actions, Bible stories, and skits. As an end celebration the children put on a final performance of all that they had learned. Dressed up, children recited Bible verses, told stories, and showed off their new skills in four group dance performances for the occasion.

Recently, new classes have been developed for the women to help them adjust to their change in lifestyle. For many of the women, coming to PKTC was something of a culture shock and they found it difficult to adjust to the laid-back pace of the country side. In order to help them ease into living, the women are taught basic life skills that they missed out on learning previously such as cooking or interacting socially and parenting.

As a whole, Prem Kiran Transformation Center has begun expanding its facilities. The new medical clinic was opened the first week of March. This clinic will not only serve the needs of the residents of PKTC, but will also provide free medical care to those living in the surrounding area. Resident women of PKTC will work in the clinic as part of their rehabilitation training. It is our hope that through working in the clinic the women will build lasting relationships with local people and when they are finally finished with their two year course they will have a strong relational foundation on which to begin building their new lives.

The construction of a new dining hall, vocational training center, and chapel is also underway. Additionally, a new jeep to run errands and a forty seat bus to take the children to school have been acquired. This has been a great blessing as the children go to three different schools and previously relied on auto rickshaws for transport.