Guria India Blog

It's been now 6 days since the french volunteers arrived at Guria and we have loved having them! Since they have been here they have participated in drama classes, impromptu dance parties, and have helped paint another beautiful mural on the walls of the Varanasi center.

“The petitioner has rendered commendable assistance to the Court in these proceedings by highlighting an important public issue in the public interest petition for which the Court would record its appreciation” - mentioned the chief justice in a rare gesture. The Honourable Chief Justice of high court further mentioned in his order to provide compensation to minor victims of sexual abuse and clarified that, “ There is absolutely no reason or justification to exclude offences under Sections 7, 9 and 11 from the purview of the fund in addition to the provisions of Sections 4, 6 and 14” of The Prevention of Children from Sexual Offences Act 2012.  For more details click the link below http://elegalix.allahabadhighcourt.in/…/WebDownloadJudgment…

A total of 16 bonded labourers,including 7 children, were rescued from slavery by Guria from the brick kiln industry  in Chandauli district of Uttar Pradesh state on May 22, 2015.

Several interns from the Paris School of Business in France arrived in India today to begin their internship with the Guria Center in the red light district of Varanasi. This group from France has raised both awareness and funds for Guria over the past year. Their support includes hand making wrapping paper and pocket ash trays to raise funds, as well as introducing Guria to the current mayor of Paris.

On the 14th of May, 2015, Guria rescued two minor girls from Jaunpur district who were trafficked to Azamgarh district (in Uttar Pradesh). These girls narrowly avoided being a part of the lowest estimated figure of 1.2 million minors that have been forced into sex slavery in India.  Please share this blog with friends and family to help us fight this injustice.

The Hindustan Times, a leading national newspaper, recently released an article sharing the story of a young girl who had been trafficked and raped. The article goes on to describe how Guria played a role in her rescue. Click below to read the article. http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/i-was-just-eleven-when-my-nightmare-began-sex-victim/article1-1343736.aspx

The Asian Age, a leading international newspaper published from Delhi, Mumbai, Varanasi, and London (UK), recently published a book review for Kaleidoscope City: A Year in Varanasi, a book by Piers Moore Ede. Both Guria and Ajeet Singh were mentioned in the book, "Ajeet Singh of Guria NGO, reveals the plight of sex workers."

"Guria was the inspiration behind the report" stated panelist Nick Grono, CEO of Freedom Fund, at the launch of the report titled Justice First: Legal Strategies to Combat Human Trafficking in India. Monique Villa, CEO of the Thomas Reuters Foundation and Ajeet Singh, founder and director of Guria, were also present as panelists at the event which took place in Mumbai on May 5, 2015.

Guria and friends watching 'Specks of Dust' before Guria's return to India. Thanks to all who got involved in their UK visit as well as the events and meetings that were held. See you soon Ajeet, Manju and Barish!