Seventeen-year-old prostitute Hashi embraces a Babu, her “husband”, inside her small room at Kandapara brothel in Tangail, a northeastern city of Bangladesh, March 4, 2012. Many young and inexperienced prostitutes have “lovers” or “husbands” who normally live outside the brothel occasionally taking money and sex from them in exchange for security in this male dominated society. She earns about 800-1000 taka daily ($9.75 - $12.19) servicing around 15-20 customers every day. Hashi is one of hundreds of mostly teenage sex workers living in a painful life of exploitation in Kandapara slum’s brothel who take Oradexon, a steroid used by farmers to fatten their cattle, in order to gain weight and appear “healthier” and more attractive to clients.
A neighborhood of around one hundred buildings with more than 800 small rooms is one of 14 official brothels of Bangladesh; in essence a prison for around 900 sex workers. The young sex workers of Kandapara brothel in Tangail must serve at least 10-15 customers each day. Being a “Chukri’ or bonded girl, they are bound to follow the orders of their Sardarni (House owners, who were previously prostitutes and purchase girls to run their business).
Photography Andrew Biraj, article here
(Source: babysanyasi, via bantamblarg)
One year ago, on the lawns of the Court of Carolinas at North Carolina State University, we envisioned and drafted the fundamental ideas of The Red & White Project as freshmen. As sophomores, we were able to get an article published in the USA Today College Blog, learn valuable networking skills, host a charity concert and cultural show in which we raised over $8,000, and spread awareness for women’s welfare in developing countries.
In our second year of action, we are focusing on finding another cause that we can connect with and are inspired by! We want to continue our venture in raising awareness, but for a different goal this time! We want to share our love!
With that being said, we would like to sincerely thank our families, sponsors, and supporters! We look forward to sharing our progress and goals for our future goals!
Although this particular NGO has been criticized for the way it is operated, the power of social networking is still astonishing. Joseph Kony isn’t a good man, and while Invisible Children may have its flaws, the underlying message is still applicable: anyone can make a change, as long as they believe in themselves and the cause that they are working for.
India’s Deadly Secret- Gendercide
Gujarat, India, circa 1954
“As we walked through the gates of the Sarvodaya Ashram on Tuesday morning, it was clear that we had entered a sanctuary. Four groups of 25 girls were seated on the floor, engaged with each other, their teacher, and their studies. Perhaps these girls have known suffering but you would never have known it from their faces. It was clear that the Udaan school - supported by CARE India and designed to help girls catch up from a gap in their schooling - has created a nurturing family where the girls feel safe and are able to focus on their development.”
With the passing of November 12th and our event, we’d like to share a few personal photos/videos from our day with Penn Masala to thank our online followers and supporters! We had a blast planning for the day and showing Penn Masala our North Carolina, which consisted of many trips up and down I-40. The boys were exceptionally kind and pleasant, and their performance truly magnified our show. While facing strife and adversity, we maintained our goals, and out of sheer luck and tenacity, we were able to make our dreams come true.
Thank you to everyone who came, supported us, and sponsored us! We certainly would not have accomplished this feat without you! We are forever grateful!
We’d also like to thank the two fan-Tumblrs dedicated to Penn Masala that led the boys to us! Your support definitely spread our name and initiated our relationship with them! Thank you so much!
