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Relief
11 year old Dhruv Galvi belongs to Panas (Gujarat). He was diagnosed with thalassemia
major, 6 months after birth. His mother is well educated. However, she does not work
and stays at home to look after him. At times, she lends a hand to her husband in
farming. His father works as an accountant and earns a relatively low salary of
`
4,000
per month. It was challenging for the family to commute 60 km to Valsad Raktdan
Kendra every 15 days for blood transfusion. So far, he has been infused with 350 blood
units.
Atul Foundation organises collaborative blood camps and supports free blood
transfusion to thalassemia patients, in an endeavour to help families like that of Dhruv.
Sona* is a 16 year old girl from Jorukhand (Uttar Pradesh). She belongs to a tribal
family making their living by collecting leaves from the forest and selling them. She
was enticed and trafficked by the accused on the pretext of a good job opportunity
in a different town. Few days later, he sold her to a brothel where she was forced
into prostitution and on her refusal, she was physically and mentally tortured by the
brothel-keeper and landlord. 5 more girls, also trafficked, were forced into prostitution
at the same brothel.
When Sona’s parents learned about the miserable condition of their daughter, they
approached Guria, a non-profit organisation dedicated to fighting child prostitution
and trafficking in north India. Staff from the organisation managed to rescue all the
6 minor girls. 2 brothel-keepers were arrested. The accused are now under trial and
tireless efforts are being made to ensure that all the girls get justice.
Sona is glad to be back home with her family.
Atul Foundation is pleased to be associated with such an organisation to prevent
exploitation of women.
* Names changed
Annual Report 2016-17 | Atul Foundation