Sudara Stories: Kiron 

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 Kiron.

Kiron’s Story of Freedom and Hope

Kiron’s mother was sold into the sex trade in Mumbai.  After several years in the trade, she was diagnosed with HIV and Tuberculosis and became too sick to work.  It wasn’t until her traffickers noticed that customers were refusing her, though, that they allowed her to return home.

The family tried to help her.  Kiron’s brother, a day laborer, was even able to borrow money for medication from one of the men who employs him. By that point, though, her health had deteriorated so much that there was very little the family or medication could do for her. She died from AIDS a few months later.

Kiron continued to live with her brother after their mother’s death, but Kiron feared for her safety.  The man who loaned her brother money was asking for repayment. He soon demanded that Kiron’s brother force her into the sex trade or pay him in full that day.  Without another choice, Kiron’s brother had to sell her into the sex trade.

A local non-government organization (NGO) community worker heard about Kiron’s story and approached one of Sudara’s partner centers for help.  The NGO was able to rescue Kiron from sex slavery and bring her to safety at a Sudara partner center.  After completing several months of counseling and receiving medical care, she enrolled in tailoring classes and began to sew Punjammies®.  She continues to work at the center sewing Punjammies® and hopes to complete one other skills training course before graduation.

Thank you for continuing to invest in and empower women like Kiron to create a new life for herself. You can read more Sudara Stories here. And, find the Punjammies® we named in honor and celebration of Kiron here.