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
Summer Newsletter 2021 After working in Kolkata for 13+ years, we finally have the opportunity to create a space large enough for all of the education, mental health and vocational programs we already offer, and some new ones we have only dreamed of. We are so excited! The new space is being made possible by … Read more
Nepal Update – Nov. 2021 I just returned from several weeks in Nepal, working alongside Anjali Tamang at the new school that she has built – and that HFC is supporting – in her village. The work that Anjali, her husband Binod, and their growing team are doing is powerful and beautiful beyond my ability … Read more
A Beautiful Soul – Minu Last week we lost one of our own. Our Community Organizer Minu Chetri passed away from tuberculosis. TB is very common in red light area, where Minu lived for much of her life. Minu was a beautiful soul who brought light, hope and a much-needed sense of humor to everything. I first met … Read more