Laboni* stood on the roadside, waiting for her next customer. Whoever approached her could pay as little as $6 to her handler, then sexually abuse her. Never did she think this would become her life. Yet, at only 15 years old, traffickers exploited her situation and trapped her into living the unthinkable. Girls bring financial hardship Being a female in …
Nisha’s Story
As a 14-year-old girl in Nepal, Nisha has always loved playing at school. But when her period began, joining in her favorite activities became challenging. Her pads would slip off when she moved, causing embarrassment and sanitation issues. With no better options, her family had to spend money repeatedly on disposable pads, adding financial strain. Thanks to your generosity, Nisha …
“Tell Them I Am Your Husband” – Puja’s Story
A man took Puja to the border with strict instructions to lie: “Tell the authorities I am your husband, and your family lives in India.” Puja had been born into poverty with a dad who was an alcoholic and abusive toward her. Instead of staying, she had left home to live with her sister while looking for a job to …
Pubitra’s Story
Pubitra left home without telling her parents. At 18, she had fallen in love with an older man who lived in India. He had convinced her to travel to him so they could get married. Our partners at the border patrol station identified her as a possible victim of trafficking. After they pulled her aside for a short investigation, they …
Hla Paw’s Story
Hla Paw could not speak when he arrived at Venture’s partnering children’s home. As a kindergartener, he looked frail, underweight, and so small for his age. His parents fell into a drug addiction that often arises from the ongoing violence and extreme poverty in Myanmar. They could no longer care for their son, so his uncle stepped in and asked …
Lin Lin Aung – Not Just Hunger Pains
Lin Lin Aung, a 15-year-old girl, was malnourished and struggled to walk when she came to a children’s home that Venture partners with. She and her many siblings had lived in a military conflict zone in Myanmar. Her stepmother was killed by a landmine, and her father could not provide enough food for Lin Lin Aung and her siblings. Her …