Encouraging Rohini to Persevere

Rohini with her cricket medal

Our social worker, Shelly, recently followed up with Rohini (rescued from a brothel in Agra, September 2023). She was in high spirits after winning a medal for a cricket match! But when Shelly asked Rohini how her tailoring classes were going, Rohini's expression dimmed. Although she was previously eager to learn tailoring, Rohini no longer wants to continue the classes. She said she needs a sewing machine and more material pieces to practice on. (While we would usually rush to purchase a sewing machine for a survivor, in Rohini's case, we had to take the time to inquire further.)

When Shelly visited Rohini's house in early March, Rohini's parents were not home, and Rohini's tailoring teacher, who was present, told Shelly that Rohini had stopped attending her classes. The teacher said that Rohini's mother had been rude to her and told her that Rohini would no longer attend her classes. Rohini's mother had also been rude to Shelly in the past, as well as to our social worker, Gunja, when she called Rohini on the phone. While our social workers are used to families being rude to them, we are holding off on providing Rohini with new materials, as Rohini said she no longer wants to attend tailoring classes.

We will continue to counsel Rohini and hope that she will regain her interest, at which point we will joyfully continue to support her learning.