The recent tragedy in the Bangladesh garment district not only brought me to my knees, but caused me to truly reflect on the difference Sahasra Deepika’s passion for providing girls with hope for a future has made. Not only for the 60 girls currently within their walls, but for the ones who have gone on in confidence to pursue their academic goals and careers.
It is not a secret that India has one of the largest child labor statistics in the world. Our demand in the West for cheap goods doesn’t help matters, but that is a topic for another post. What truly gave me pause was the hope within the girls living at Sahasra Deepika and how limited their choices would have been had they not found their way to Sahasra Deepika.
When tragedies like the one in Bangladesh occur I often find myself so overwhelmed with the magnitude of the problem that I become paralyzed and simply do nothing. It’s easy for me to rationalize that any small contribution I could make wouldn’t have an impact. But then I think about Sakshi’s mom, who could not afford to care for her, so she entrusted her to the care of the Sahsara Deepika Institute. Or Vaishnavi’s mother who sold all her valuable possessions to make sure Vaishnavai had bus fare to get to Sahasra Deepika. They did what they could with great sacrifice in hopes that their daughters would meet their full potentials.
Although the support I can give to Sahasra Deepika will not put an end to exploitation of child labor in India, it will help the 60 girls who have been given an opportunity to succeed in this world and to fulfill their purpose. I do what I can and without nearly the sacrifice that their mothers made. Every life touched is precious with potential for greatness, and if my contribution helps just one, it is one step closer to solving the bigger problem. Would you consider doing what you can??
Dana Hutson
