May 2021 Impact Report
Mumbai Sanctuary
Our Mumbai Sanctuary has been locked down since April 12 due to the unprecedented surge in COVID-19. We are working remotely during this period to ensure that the women in our program continue to be supported. The staff is deploying interventions to combat anxiety, loneliness, boredom, and physical stagnancy experienced by participants.
Clay sculpture and art created by Mumbai Sanctuary participants.
Community
Community building has included hosting positivity and reflection sessions so that participants and staff start the week in a manner that motivates and encourages. Virtual staff meetings are geared to social interaction, support and discussion around best practices for a positive work and life balance.
Community Zoom Calls
The Mumbai Sanctuary initiated global Zoom calls with partner Sanctuaries in 2020. Over time, these calls have served to help participants learn to appreciate commonalities and celebrate diversity as they provide an opportunity for participants from all backgrounds to connect and support each other.
Education
Staff and participants are focused on building resiliency to combat the stress, anxiety and boredom of the extreme pandemic conditions through physical exercise and mental stimulation. Participants engage in Zoom education classes two hours per day, focusing on English, math, critical thinking, life skills and creative arts. During the last month they have been studying character strengths and delving in learning about humility as a trait of leaders and themselves.
People Are Trafficked for Many Exploitative Purposes
Sanctuary Highlights
The new participants who joined the Cebu Sanctuary are all getting along well with each other and are eager to learn new things. Priority is being given to establishing community, initiating the health and education programs, and teaching basic jewelry making skills.
The Tijuana and Kampala Sanctuaries are open and focusing on jewelry making. Emphasis is on designs that can be made with locally sourced raw materials or the supplies on-hand, as the COVID surge in India has precluded sourcing and sending materials to the other sanctuaries, as is the typical practice.
India Emergency Fund
The COVID-19 virus continues to spread throughout India, causing its economy to suffer and unemployment to rise quickly. Our team in Mumbai needs your help more than ever to ensure that every woman, family, and employee we serve continues to receive our full support. Our goal is to raise $240,000 by September 30, 2021 to ensure that International Sanctuary’s Mumbai programs continue to thrive during and after the COVID-19 crisis.
The India Emergency Fund provides support through:
Compensation for participants and staff; replaces revenue lost during shutdown
Benevolence funds to address crisis-related needs (medical care, food, housing)
Sanctuary operating expenses during shutdown and relaunch
Outreach to women escaping trafficking who are in need of support
Hope Partner
Walk alongside the young women in our stories, like Provia, everyday when you become a hope partner. Starting at $10 a month, your partnership helps shine a beacon of light towards freedom for young women around the world.
