(A true story about one of the girls that WIN rescued from an abysmal reality. The name has been changed to protect the victim.)
WALKING IN MY SHOES
As the sun peeked through the cracks in the wall, I woke to another morning. The air stank of body odor and a dirty mattress that had seen countless sweaty bodies. I didn’t want to open my eyes or even believe I was alive to see another day. My body was racked with pain from being used and abused daily by an unending stream of men.
The memory of the first day I left my village and came to this city flooded my mind. I arrived here hoping to find a well-paying job that would help me provide for my impoverished family back home. When I first arrived I was excited for a new place with new people. As I searched the streets for work I met a handsome young man. He was very kind and he told me he worked for an organization that helped provide a safe place for girls to get an education and a good job.
FREEDOM STOLEN
Wow! I couldn’t believe that my dreams had finally come true. He took my hand and led me to the promise of what I thought would be an incredible place, only to have him lock me in this dingy room and force me to please each customer that walked through my door day and night. How long have I been trapped here? It feels like I have aged decades since being forced into this brothel.
BANG,BANG, BANG!!
The loud pounding on the door brought me back to reality. “NO!!” I screamed. I couldn’t do this anymore. “GET AWAY FROM ME!!” I wailed. I won’t survive another day of abuse.
Hot tears started streaming down my face. The door swung open. I was shocked to see: a police officer and a kind, gentle faced lady.
I leapt up from the bed. Could these people be here to save me? I searched their faces for answers.
“You are safe now.” The lady said. "We are here to rescue you!”
The excitement that overcame me filled my heart with renewed hope and I forgot the pain in my body. I WAS FREE!
—Anika is one of the girls that WIN rescued. Your sponsorship enables us to search for victims, liberate them and help them be restored into a normal and healthy lifestyle.