The Freedom School Our construction of dormitories & headquarters at the Freedom School is nearly complete! Over the course of the year, Anjali and the team in Nuwakot, Nepal have been overseeing the construction of 2 buildings, across the road from one another. The dormitory building will provide a safe home for up to 50 girls … Read more
There are several aspects of my job that I enjoy. One is seeing how much someone can change over the course of a short six months. The other joy is to have the privilege of walking alongside people over time. We know most any change takes time. Deep lasting change, the change that is breaking … Read more
“We are seeking a person to help establish and initiate an English tutoring program for a range of ages in our new Learning Center in Kolkata” through the Felix Fellowship was the beginning of a wonderful adventure and opportunity to travel to India. I was awarded the Fellowship in June then the summer was spent … Read more
What a day! What a week! What a great six months! What a year! The training of the first batch of seven women is officially complete! We made it and are here to tell the tales. There are too many stories to capture the nuances, the experiences, the lessons, and the love of the past … Read more
For me, one of the most exciting things about our new Learning Center (in Kolkata’s Sonagachi red light area) is the focus on computer training and digital literacy. Because Our Girls Want IT! In the early years, HFC offered training and employment for trafficking survivors in rescue shelters, mostly in artisan crafts (our name was … Read more
View PDF version of 2023 Trip Report and images here> In February, I traveled to India and Nepal with other staff and members of our community to check in on programs and spend time with the women and girls. This time, unlike the trip report I normally write, I want to share some very personal … Read more
What a month! From day one, we have had such adventures and experiences. From sari clad puja pandal hopping, prepping and serving multiple lunches for 25 American guests, prepping and serving food for 100 guests at the inauguration ceremony for the HFC training center and sending the ladies on a three day Baking Adventure; it … Read more
I have just returned from a 3 week trip to India and Nepal. This was my first chance to visit India in over two years! It was a heart-opening experience that inspired many new ideas and insights. This past year has been a time of tremendous change and growth for HFC. We are all feeling … Read more
COVID-19 Update India is in the midst of a strict, nationwide 40 Day lockdown. This means you cannot leave your home without police permission, even to buy food. Our families in the red light areas and slums live on daily wages: they did not have any food supplies before the lockdown, and they were going … Read more
Pain Won’t Be Her Only Story By Sarah Annay, Her Future Communications Director and creator of Vision for Empowerment workshops. We first started offering Vision for Empowerment workshops in 2015. What started as an employment exploration project has turned into something even more empowering—a workshop that gives young women and girls a voice in Kolkata, through … Read more