Approach

With the help of other NGO’s who are working in this field we partaken in rescue operations.
Our youth volunteers form Mumbai have partaken in several rescue operations and rescued victims.

We started our mission on January 20, 2015. Till now more than 35 girls have been rehabilitated through our homes. We have two rehabilitation homes namely, SHALOM NIWAS & SHALOM NIWAS ANNEX now. In both we have a facility to accommodate 16 girls, both are GHs. For the effective rehabilitation of victims, they need life skills and vocational training. We effectively carry out both of these in our homes. Many of them lack basic life skills and knowledge to live in a society, like; communication skills, basic accounting skills, traveling in commuter traffic, conflict resolution, trust, leadership, Rights & responsibility of a citizen etc. We make it a point that they attain each of these skills during their stay in our home. As part of vocational training the home teaches the inmates skills like embroidery, dyeing, stitching, making ornaments, etc. During their stay in our homes we also introduce them to an Entrepreneurial program to make an earning for them while staying here. We hope for the completion of our New Rehabilitation home in the acquired property faster, so that we can accommodate 40 more girls.

Sex trafficking not only results in severe violation of human rights but also causes adverse physical, psychological and moral consequences for the victims. We try to erase the trauma caused to these victims through counseling and various other personality development exercises but we believe a victim can stand on her own only when she will be socially secure as well. To help the victims in their journey to be socially secured we have opened the gates for the benefit of these victims and also undertake many social events for them.

Few of the rejuvenation programs conducted in the past by us as follows:-

• Onam Celebration: In a bid to share a piece of the culture of Kerala with the women in Shanti Niwas Home in Karjat, the traditional OnamSadya was prepared at Shanti Niwas by us and various traditional songs and the emphasis of Onam was shared with the women.

• Skill Development Program: As part of this program, Shalom Mumbai has donated four stitching machines and two interlocking machines to Navjeevan Shelter Home, Chembur.

• Contribution of rescue kits: Shalom Mumbai donates rescue kits every month for the use of newly rescued women.

• Christmas Programme: Christmas programmes were organized every year at different major and minor shelter homes around Mumbai. David Sasson Home for Boys, Matunga; Shanti Niwas, Karjat; Govt. Minor shelter home, Ulhasngar; Govt. Major shelter home, Ulhasngar are some of the beneficiaries. Our supporters group organized various singing, dancing and game sessions during these programs. Christmas programs for women and their kids from the Red-light areas of Mumbai are also conducted in a similar manner, around 130+ women participated in it.

• Medical Camp: A medical camp was organised at St. James Church, Borivali for 20 women from the Red-light area of Mumbai. The medical camp included general medical check-up, dental check-up, physiotherapy and counseling with help of two general practitioners, one dentist and two physiotherapists. The women were also provided free medicines.

•Social Trip to Kerala: Shalom Mumbai in association with MKD organised a trip to Kerala from July 30 to August 3, 2015 for 20 women from the Red-light area of Mumbai along with some volunteers from the three sponsoring churches. These women were provided accommodation at MKD’s retreat centre at Kottayam, Kerala. During their stay at Kottayam several sessions were organized for their
social, mental and spiritual development. The women were shown around some famous landmarks, along with a boat house ride. Rt. Rev. Thomas K. Oommen the Bishop of MKD and Moderator of Church of South India along with MKD Women and Youth Fellowship made arrangements for all the functions conducted there. After the social visit a feedback session was organized at Mission Memorial Chapel, Mulund with these 20 women and the mission committee members to
understand the developments in them after the visit to Kerala. Many of the women confessed to experience many changes in their life and that they were able to understand and compare to a life they wish to have after the trip.

•Covid Relief Kits: During the time of pandemic food kits and medical aid equipment were given to Red-light areas of Mumbai, Vasai, Virar, Navi Mumbi. More than 1000 food kits were distributed.

• Dan Utsav: Shalom Niwas girls were engaged in social activity by giving meals &  masks to the visually impaired persons and their families in Vangani during Covid Pandemic. Our girls conducted singing & games sessions to the children of visually impaired persons. This visit emphasized the importance of giving while they are also benefited by the giving of unknown benevolent.

Reintegration is the process of integrating someone back into society. The inmates carry a lot of emotional baggage with them because of their past experience. Through our care and counseling, we can in some way instill in them a goal and purpose in life. Reintegration of rescue victims and rehabilitated members were conducted during the previous years. Reintegrating them to society and family are our concerns. They must have to stand on their own foot similar to that of others in society. In association with Madras Christian Council of Social Service (MCCSS) we have undertaken reintegration of more than 10 women with their respective families. Under reintegration; if the victim of human trafficking wishes to go back to her family and her family is willing to take her back, we in association with MCCSS do all the necessary legal and travel related formalities. We have helped in the reintegration of 13 women in the city of Mumbai and 7 women to North-eastern region of Assam. We also help the inmate to get married as part of the reintegration program, recently we helped one of our girls to get married.