Ruptula returns to school safely
Ruptula* survived trafficking, thanks to the training of World Vision and the support of the local Counter Trafficking Committee (CTC). Her journey took her from her hometown to Dhaka, Delhi, and back.
As a 14-year-old, Ruptula is the eldest of three children, a high school student from a poor Muslim family who lives in Southern Bangladesh. Ruptula is very fortunate – she is among the teens to be traced, rescued, and repatriated at home from an Indian brothel.
Ruptula’s father, 45, owns a small farm that produces food for only three months of the year. He supplements his farm income with his tea store that earns about 500 taka/day (USD $6). Ruptula’s mother, 35, rears goats, milking cows, and domestic birds- contributing milk and eggs to the family income.
Ruptula is very fortunate – she is among the teens to be traced, rescued and repatriated at home from an Indian brothel.
Ruptula has two sisters, 9 and 6, who are in primary school. In addition to food, clothing and shelter, the children need school supplies & stationery, school uniforms, shoes and private tuition fees. Ruptula’s father can hardly afford these extra expenses.
Living in poverty, Ruptula had zeal to work and earn money to help support her family. Ruptula was lured and trapped by her cousin Farisa*, 26, with a promise of handsome salaries and a comfortable living in Dhaka capital.
“Keeping everything hidden to our parents, in April 2014, my classmate Ruby*, 14, and I fled from school and got on a bus, knowing that we were heading to Dhaka,” describes Ruptula. “That was my first day of a journey outside home alone.”
After traveling for 48 hours, Ruptula discovered that road signs were written in Hindi (Indian language) and they were traveling through India, from West Bengal to Delhi. “When I challenged Farisa for the type of job she promised to offer me, Farisa beat us badly and kept us unfed in lockups for sale as sex slaves,” uttered Ruptula.
“The very day Ruptula and Ruby did not return home from school, I suspected Farisa and went searching to her house, as she was infamous as a trafficker,” says Ruptula’s mother. Farisa’s family members could not connect with her on the phone as she was out of reach. Having no other options for finding the girls, Ruptula’s mother reported them to the local CTC.
The CTC is trained and nurtured by World Vision’s Child Protection Programme. Mohammad Tipu Sultan, 50, the chairperson of the CTC, played a significant role in the rescue of Ruptula and Ruby. Tipu Sultan rushed to Farisa’s house and explained the consequences and punishment of trafficking – a life sentence from criminal court. He pressured Farisa’s family and they promised to bring the girls back home within 24 hours.
Ruptula is an advocate for educating her schoolmates on anti-trafficking and social issues that affect children.
“Immediate after her repatriation, World Vision provided counseling and helped Ruptula to be treated for any trauma,” says Abeda Sultana, a project officer.
In addition, World Vision provided her needed supplies for returning to school.
Abeda gushes, “Within seven months of preparation at school, she appeared for her public examination and passed with A- credit.”
World Vision worked with her father to stock his tea store with other grocery items to sell, like rice, flour and salt. They helped him decorate the stall for his store and he now earns about 1200 taka/ day (about USD $16).
Today, Ruptula and her siblings are enjoying school and doing well.
Their parents are now able to afford healthy food, clothing and their education costs.
“My girls remain healthy and do not get sick now, as I provide them plenty vegetable, fish, eggs, and milk,” says Ruptula’s mother.
In their community, World Vision held ‘Courtyard Meetings’, delivering training on combating human trafficking. In her school and community, Ruptula is an advocate for educating her schoolmates on anti-trafficking and social issues that affect children. “Now I am drawing a new dream with World Vision’s support and getting prepared for my future,” says Ruptula.
*Alias to protect identity
Story by George Sarkar