1. Ambika, Tell us the story of Deepika and how it came into existence.

The story goes back to my first visit to Sonagachi in October 1997 when I was working as a college teacher. I visited the district with two Christian ladies at the request of my Pastor.

During that time I had no understanding of that world of darkness. In fact, it took a long time to change my own concept from “prostitutes” to “prostituted women”. I just abhorred prostitutes. I thought they had no conscience, and for the sake of money they would do anything including ruin families, cause good housewives to shed tears day and night and destroy many children’s future. In my eyes they were a menace to society. I didn’t want to have anything to do with them.

But that very first visit, my interaction with ladies & hearing their stories, changed the course of my life. First of all, it was extremely difficult to see the display of their womanhood on the sides of the streets. It was totally shocking for me to accept the fact that women could be stripped of their dignity and self-respect in such an inhuman way. I began to feel guilty for misjudging them all those years. I had viewed them as prostitutes who chose that living instead of women who, in reality, were exploited, deceived, betrayed, and forced into prostitution.

Though I did visit Sonagachi twice with those two ladies, it took another 5 months before I made the next visit. The burden kept increasing. My fear too, began to increase. At the same time there were lots of questions in my mind as to whether or not I could do that ministry. I would sit and pray regularly in the afternoons during all those months with Gladys, a woman student from the Bible College where I taught. I kept seeking God’s will.

Many times in dreams, the very same faces that I had seen in the district, would come and question me “Didi (Big sister) are you not coming to see us any more?” I prayed, “Lord, if it is your will for me to go, please reveal it”. The Lord kept giving me visions of many welfare activities such as a kind of school, shelter-homes etc., operating in that community. I was still working in the Bible College and looking back now I see that in my imbalanced spiritual nature and self-righteousness, I probably did not want to leave the comfort zone and take the necessary risks. Instead, I wouldn’t accept those repeated visions as revelations that God was giving me.

I kept persuading the Lord, “Lord if these are the kind of works that I need to do I am not going to go because there are many secular organizations already doing that. Let them take care of it. Show me whether or not there will be any transformation of lives!”.
One night, in a vision, the Lord assured me of that, too! Simply amazing! That particular vision broke all my fears, filled me with fire & pushed me out of my comfort zone. The next morning I shared the vision with my husband and he was very supportive and encouraged me to go. It was February 25th 1998. That very same afternoon Gladys & I went to Sonagachi and that’s how it all began.

Initially, our many trips were just prayer-walks. We also faced some embarrassing and fearful moments but the Lord was with us to protect and uphold us. It was like going around the Jericho wall. It took almost 6 months to tear down the unseen spiritual walls around the stronghold of the enemy. We began to establish rapport and trust with the local people. Ladies slowly started taking us into their brothels and we would share God’s Word and pray. The experience was like heaven coming down in those brothels! We also started sharing stories and taught songs to the kids. People liked their kids singing those “good songs” and they became very popular. The community eventually allowed us to use a small room in the local club to counsel ladies and conduct children’s activities. Praise God! That is how we could start our Sunday School!

As the work progressed, in order to focus on the target group, we registered as a separate organization-- “DEEPIKA SOCIAL WELFARE SOCIETY”. DEEPIKA, in Indian languages means “LAMP or LIGHT”. The goal is to show the light to the people in darkness.

1. Ambika, obviously Mun is a very talented young woman! How is Deepika investing in her individual future? What do you see as the future for Mun?

Yes. She is indeed a very talented girl and very neat in everything she does. But she is a school dropout and doesn’t have the necessary education so that she can stand on her own feet. Today in India, there is so much competition in the job market. It is difficult to get suitable jobs these days even with a graduate and post-graduate degree.

Therefore, in addition to teaching work-related skills, we are also trying to improve her reading-writing skills in English and Bengali. Once this is improved she will be able to enroll in computer education which will help her in photo editing etc., which could enhance her photographing skills and enable her to stand on her own feet. She really desires this training and it will be our privilege to support her and see that her dream comes true.

2. How does Deepika customize its program based on the dreams of each individual?

This is a big job and a very satisfying one when it is accomplished.

Here is an example: One girl was interested in a teaching profession. Deepika guided her to get admission into the right institution, so that she could receive training and become a teacher. Now she teaches in our night coaching center where scores of children receive help with their schoolwork. The fulfilment of her dream is helping others fulfil their
own dreams.

There are others who are planning to take up various vocations such as evangelist, teacher, nurse, tailoring and such. We will surely try our best to encourage each one to see their dreams fulfilled.

Here is a bitter truth and also an important need for prayer. Many girls and ladies to whom we minister live in despair. They do not know how to dream. For these young ladies, we counsel and pray that the Lord will fill them with hope and dreams for a bright future.

Now for the “how” aspect of customizing the individual dreams:

• We encourage the school dropouts to pursue education and request the local school authorities to provide readmission if possible.
• If they are eligible to take up some professional training, we recommend and send them to such institutions.
• For illiterate women, we provide simple life skills and provide basic education at our own Vocational Unit.

3. Mun, introduce us to you. How old are you, your training at Deepika, who is in your family, what are your favorite things to do (hobbies, interests, etc.)? How has Deepika/Project Rescue made a difference in your life?

I am 21 years old. I have been working here for a little more than 3 years.

I have got my caretakers whom I call aunty and uncle as my family and they have 3 sons.

I love photography and tailoring.

Deepika has made a lot of difference in my life. It has made a change in the way I dress and talk. I learned how to keep myself clean. I learned to show respect to my elders and even learned how to treat children with respect.

Before I joined here I never used to stay at home and didn’t know anything. My life was almost at an end, but Deepika intervened in my life. Mam Ambika and other team members in Deepika counselled me. I have no one in this world. Deepika became my support when I felt I was alone.

4. Mun, your photography is beautiful! What inspires you when you are photographing?

The hope that one day, photography will help me to stand on my feet is my inspiration.

5. Are any of your photographs of close friends? Tell us about them.

Chammu: She is a very good girl. I am happy that she is not alone. She has a family. Even if she gets lost, her whole family will go searching for her. I know that if anything happens to her, her family will be there for her. That’s why I like her.

Molly: She is a very good girl now; earlier she was different. She would drink and take tobacco. She even stopped going to school. But she has changed now. We used to pray for her. She has gone back to school and has stopped drinking and doesn’t take tobacco anymore.

6. Who is your favourite photographer? What do you like about their work?

No answer.

7. What is your favourite object to photograph?

Scenery.

8. What is your favourite photograph you have taken and why is it your favourite?

The one with all my five friends from the card making section is my favourite photograph. Chammu, Molly, Chanda, Pucha and myself are in the photograph. I like it because we are very good friends. We are like sisters. We work together and we go out together.