We love sharing stories of the women who, as part of a skills-training program, sew together PUNJAMMIES®. The Sudara Stories series highlights a few of these strong, amazing women. Today, we are honored to introduce Jynci.
Jynci’s Story of Hope and Freedom
When Jynci was 9, her mother and her aunt were sold into a brothel in Mumbai. A few men had come into their town with promises of good jobs in the city and an offer to assist those who wanted to go. There were very few job opportunities nearby, especially for someone with very little education or resources. Many families were struggling financially, including Jynci’s. Her mother didn’t know the men were traffickers nor that there was no job waiting for them. She just knew that they were promised a good-paying job in the city and their families were depending on them to provide.
Jynci’s mother and aunt lived and worked in the brothel for 7 years before they were able to escape and return home. During that time, Jynci’s father died from alcoholism and she was forced to quit school and move in with neighbors and then her grandparents. Her grandparents were not able to cover the fees for her to go back to school, though. When Jynci’s mother returned, she realized that without further schooling and no employable skills, Jynci could soon be pressured to enter the sex trade as a way to bring in income for the family.
Jynci’s mother heard about the Sudara partner sewing centers through a pamphlet and, with the help of a local NGO, was able to bring Jynci to the centers. She told Jynci that she did not want her to be deceived or suffer in the same way that she had for so many years. Jynci is now enrolled in two skills-training courses and is looking forward to graduating later this year. She is not yet sure where she will work after graduation, but she is encouraged by other women who have started their own tailoring business.
Thank you for continuing to invest in and empower women like Jynci to create a new life for herself. Read more Sudara Stories here. And, find the PUNJAMMIES® we named in honor and celebration of Jynci here.