More About Destiny

Destiny Reflection is a non-profit based in Kolkota, India that works to end human trafficking through the economic empowerment of women. You can find out more about them on their website but we wanted to explain the organization in our own words.

MAIN OFFICE

The main office is home to the production unit, stock room, and general work space. There are currently seven women working in the unit, all of whom were rescued after being trafficked and trained to sew by Destiny Reflection. Now, as employees, they use their skills to create beautiful products including scarves, bags, wallets, blankets, aprons, bookmarks, PJ pants, and more. Some of Destiny's partner organization's donate used saris that are then recycled and remodelled into these products. They also create their own uniquely patterned designs by block printing onto blank fabric, giving them freedom to play with the colours and themes of their products.

Stock Room at Destiny's Main Office

The Production Unit at Destiny's Main Office

Destiny Reflection strikes us as being both very organic and adaptable. The organization has continued to grow in response to local need and the resources that are available to them. They are a true example of local people helping local people. They have made excellent use of resources and networks to access space, materials, and volunteers. Although they also have a charity branch, the business allows self-sufficiency: products are sold for a profit and the profit in turn pays the salaries for all of Destiny's staff. Destiny exports products to various places in Canada and the US, so as the organization expands its' target market it will have the opportunity to increase profit enabling them to employ more women.

KHIDIRPUR COMMUNITY CENTER

Part of being adaptable means that Destiny has had to find ways to support women who are unable to leave the sex trade. This has lead to the creation of a community center in Khidirpur, one of the largest Red Light Districts in Kolkata itself. The community center runs a literacy program that teaches some basic math and English, as well as a sewing program, which sometimes leads to a job at the main office/production center. The center is fairly relaxed, women come and go as they are able to. From what we've observed and been told, the community center women value what they are learning and study hard. In an effort to introduce new, useful skills, there is talk of running a beautician course and a cooking course as well. 

Destiny sees the center as being a self-sustaining project. They helped to get it started and visit regularly, but largely the women at the center keep it operating on their own. This is important: Destiny does not need to be in charge of everything that happens here, the women can work together to keep it a productive space and continue to organize their daily activities according to their needs.

We facilitated a workshop on hairstyles at the Community Center

SUKANYA GOVERNMENT SHELTER HOME

Destiny also partners with a couple of different government shelter homes for girls under the age of 18. The staff visit a couple times during the week, and depending on the age group, they facilitate different craft activities and conduct workshop skills training. These visits aren’t necessarily to train the girls to be employed in sewing, but are a way of exposing the girls to different skills; ranging anywhere from basic cutting, gluing, or drawing, to sewing and product making. Beyond external support, like the type that Destiny provides, the girls are mostly left to entertain each other on a day to day basis. Importantly, many of these girls have been trafficked or orphaned and are at very high risk of being trafficked upon their dismissal from the shelter home.

Girls at Sukanya waiting to receive their new dresses during the Joy of Giving

HOSTEL
Once a girl turns 18, she is no longer able to stay in the shelter home. Having lived in the shelter for years, sometimes her whole life, it is very difficult to leave the shelter since many of the women have no direction, relatives or guidance of any sort. Sending a girl out to fend for herself like this is far from safe, yet support during this transition period is minimal. Thus, Destiny’s latest project has been a hostel/homestay for young women experiencing this transition. This is a safe, secure place where they can stay after their release (under the guidance of a housemother) as they figure out their next steps in terms of education and employment.