Today is Human Trafficking Awareness Day

Today is Human Trafficking Awareness Day—a day to spotlight the hidden crime of human trafficking and take meaningful action to combat it. At the forefront of this fight is Project Help India, partnering with local police to rescue women and children whose lives have been devastated by the scourge of poverty. For many, poverty leads to heartbreaking choices, with individuals sold into exploitation, often disappearing forever. Through courageous efforts, Project Help India and its collaborators are bringing hope, reuniting families, and restoring dignity to those who have been stolen by this tragedy.

Today, let us join this mission to shine a light on injustice and advocate for those who are most vulnerable - the poorest of the poor. Meera’s story, which is based on a recent true situation, is a testament to the power of partnerships between dedicated organisations such as Project help India and local authorities in rescuing vulnerable individuals and restoring hope to families torn apart by exploitation.

Meera’s Story

Please note that all names and locations have been changed to protect the privacy of those concerned

A 30-year-old woman named Meera, who was found wandering in the forests near a small town in northern India three months ago, has now been reunited with her family. With the assistance of local police, Meera was taken to a shelter, XXX Ashram, where she received medical care and emotional support as part of her recovery.

Through the collaborative efforts of the Director of Project help India, Amit Samuel, and the local police’s Anti-Human Trafficking Unit, Meera’s home village was identified after a thorough investigation involving multiple interviews. Eventually, Meera was reunited with her extended family in a rural village in central India.

Her family, who had long believed she had passed away, was overwhelmed with joy upon her return. The entire village gathered to celebrate and express their gratitude for the rescue effort. However, the reunion also shed light on the harsh realities her family faces. Meera’s husband and three young children, aged 6, 3, and 1, are struggling to survive under severe financial hardship. It was also revealed that Meera’s mental health had been deteriorating for some time before her disappearance.

Allegations have since surfaced that due to the significant hardship that he was facing, Meera’s husband may have sold their youngest child, a claim that is now under active investigation. In the meantime, Meera has been entrusted to the care of her aunt, who will support her as she rebuilds her life.

The involvement of Project Help India in assisting the police in anti-human trafficking matters is only possible thanks to the financial generosity of our supporters. On behalf of Meera, and other women and children … we extend our heartfelt thanks.

Happy New Year from our Team

We are filled with hope and purpose as we step into 2025, ready to come alongside those in need and make a lasting difference.

As we reflect on 2024, we are deeply grateful for your interest, compassion, and generous support. Together, we achieved incredible milestones, including our recent Christmas celebrations and the opening of a new centre in the remote Pranwala Village near Kotdwara. This community, where almost 100% of the population is illiterate, is now witnessing the transformative power of education – in the photo above many children raised their hands, sharing they had never been to school before we started working here at the beginning of 2024.

Your impact is visible not only in these children but also in the gratitude expressed by their families and our staff. When we visited in October, we saw firsthand how lives have been profoundly changed by your contributions. Thank you for making this possible.

January is Human Trafficking Prevention Month

More than ever before, 2024 saw our organisation frequently called upon by local police to assist in combating human trafficking. We were involved in investigating urgent cases and providing vital counseling and relocation assistance to women in critical need. As we look to 2025, we anticipate this will become an expanding focus of our mission, furthering our commitment to protecting and restoring the lives of the most vulnerable.

#Partner2Prevent #EndTrafficking #HumanTrafficking #ForcedLabor

As we prepare for the year ahead, we welcome your continued support in 2025. Your consistent monthly or quarterly donations enable us to plan confidently and expand our impact. With Project Help India, every dollar goes directly to our projects, with minimal administrative costs and the assurance of personal oversight. Your support connects you to our mission, weaving your story into the lives we touch.

This year, let’s keep making a difference together. If you have questions about how your donation can be used, ideas to share, or simply want to get more involved, please reach out. Your generosity brings hope, opportunity, and purpose to those who need it most.

May 2025 bring you happiness, peace, and fulfillment. Thank you for walking this journey with us.

With gratitude and love,
Doug, Rowena (in Australia), and Amit & Daisy (in India)

A Most Wonderful Time of the Year

This Christmas we had special meals and gave gifts to our students …they loved it. We are most grateful to those who gave a little extra this year to help fund the purchase of the gifts. We try to buy practical items for the children and this year we gave them all a big warm blanket - something that is very much needed during the cold Northern India winter nights.

It's Christmas

Some of our students from the Disability Centre love to dance!

Our students, staff, along with many others had a wonderful time celebrating Christmas this year. We are grateful to our team for their hard work in making this Christmas such a success - purchasing, wrapping and delivering gifts for each of our 600 students and 40+ staff, having party and special meal at each of our education centres, preparing for and holding special Christmas functions and also having a beautiful Christmas Eve function at our administration centre in Kotdwara.

It has all been huge and very successful. May the joy, hope and peace that is integral to the Christmas message be with you this year.

Dance item at Kotdwara

City Centre students love to dance

Our Director, Amit Samuel and General Secretary Daisy with their son.

Extend your Black Friday savings into smiles for 600 children

As the Western world eagerly hunts for online and in-store Black Friday bargains—often buying things we don’t truly need—let’s pause for a moment to reflect. While we’re chasing discounts, many families around the world struggle with limited resources and opportunities.

What always inspires me is how those with so little often radiate the most gratitude and joy. Their resilience and appreciation for the small things are humbling reminders of what truly matters. So, as you snag a great deal this Black Friday, would you consider sharing a little of your savings with Project Help India?

Help Us Bring Joy This Christmas

We’re aiming to raise $6,000 for our Annual Christmas Appeal to bring joy to 600 students. This year’s gift will be a bundle of warm clothes for the kids. Along with this, we’re planning Christmas parties at our 14 centres, complete with food, Christmas cake (which everyone loves) decorations (handmade by the kids!), performances, songs, dances, and games. For many of our staff and students this celebration is the highlight of their year.

The Greatest Deal of All

For our students, slum life is far from bright—most days are bleak. But through Project Help India, we’re determined to fill their Christmas with love, joy, hope, and happiness. We want to give them a celebration they’ll never forget.

Every $5, $10, $20, $50+ donation you make—fully tax-deductible—creates a ripple effect of kindness and positivity. Your generosity will bring light into lives that may never experience the excitement of shopping or Black Friday deals. And trust me, the personal satisfaction of knowing you’ve made a difference is priceless.

Love, Doug

Celebrating Diwali: Building Bridges Not Walls

Just this week, October 31, marks Diwali, the festival of lights, a significant Hindu celebration observed with great enthusiasm across India. This festive occasion symbolises harmony and love, as families illuminate their homes with earthen lamps and share sweets with one another.

At Project Help India, we embrace the spirit of Diwali by encouraging our children from all of our centres to artistically paint clay diyas (lamps). This year, we crafted beautiful diyas that we gifted to local officials, educators, social workers, and others in our community. These gifts serve as tokens of appreciation and foster connections, demonstrating our commitment to listening and breaking down barriers.

Through this initiative, we aim to build trust and respect within our community, showing that collaboration can lead to human flourishing. As we illuminate the lives of others with our handcrafted lamps, we reinforce the values of kindness and unity that Diwali represents.

Our Diwali celebration is more than just a festival; it is a testament to our dedication to creating a supportive environment. Together, we celebrate the light of compassion and the power of community, reminding us all that we are stronger when we work together.

The kids at our Disability Centre could not have been more focussed and engaged!

Images from across our other Centres …happiness, purpose and smiles of great satisfaction!

This year we also prepared some small boxes of Diwali sweets to give to some of our slum students. We know that here, these kids and their families are too poor to buy anything to enjoy the celebration. It was such a joy to see the smiles on the kids’ faces.

Empowering Girls: Celebrating International Girl Child Day

On Saturday, October 12th, Project Help India proudly hosted the International Girl Child Day Program at our Administration Centre in Kotdwara, welcoming 50 enthusiastic young girls. This community event aimed to empower and inspire the next generation of women, emphasizing the importance of education, self-confidence, and awareness of their rights.

The program featured impactful speakers, including Daisy Samuel and dedicated officers from the Anti-Human Trafficking Team. Their powerful messages resonated deeply, addressing critical issues affecting young girls and highlighting the importance of safeguarding their futures. The attendees were not only informed but also inspired to stand up against challenges and take control of their lives.

As the day concluded, the atmosphere was filled with hope and determination. Confident young girls left the event, equipped with new knowledge and a sense of purpose. Their smiles and laughter reflected the transformative power of community support and advocacy.

This successful event garnered attention, making it to the local news channel, further amplifying our mission to empower girls and young women in our community. Together, we are creating a safer and brighter future for the next generation, ensuring every girl has the opportunity to thrive.

Rehana's Journey: Finding Her Voice through Empowerment

Rehana, a 45-year-old Muslim woman, has faced significant challenges throughout her life. After the death of her parents, she moved in with her brother and sister-in-law, who provided her with a small room in their home. Despite having her own house, she often feels like a burden, as her sister-in-law does not treat her well. Struggling with long-term illness and the weight of unfulfilled dreams, Rehana’s life was overshadowed by fear and silence.

However, everything changed when she enrolled in Project Help India’s six-month sewing course. This program is dedicated to empowering women like Rehana, offering them skills that can transform their lives. For the first time, Rehana began to experience happiness and a sense of purpose. The support, friendship and camaraderie she found at the centre encouraged her to confront her fears.

Recently, during India’s Independence Day celebrations, Rehana took a brave step. She asked to give a speech, something she had never done before. Speaking publicly to a large crowd for the first time, she declared,

“I spoke up for the first time, and it felt great.”

Rehana’s words resonated deeply, not only for her but for many women who share similar struggles.

Project Help India has been a beacon of hope, empowering hundreds of women like Rehana to understand their individual value, find their voices and assert their rights. With the skills she gained, Rehana is now better equipped to support herself and contribute to her community. Grateful for the free admission to the sewing centre, she thanks the staff for believing in her. Rehana's journey is a testament to the transformative power of education and empowerment, inspiring countless women to overcome adversity.