A Second Chance at Dreams: How Shakti Found Her Way Back to School

After being rescued from a trafficking ring at age 15, Shakti* was out of school for two years and at risk of being re-trafficked due to her unstable home environment. With VIHAAN's support, she enrolled in a residential school where she could safely cont

Shakti was only 15 years old when her world collapsed. Living in Barasat, West Bengal, she came from a family struggling to survive. Her father, Suresh*, worked as a van puller but was struggling with an alcoholic addiction. Her mother, Anita*, worked as a live-in domestic helper, coming home only once a week. With her mother away and her 15-year-old brother having dropped out of school, Shakti was alone most of the time.

A trafficker noticed this vulnerability and exploited it. Together with an outsider who gained her trust, Shakti was forced into sex trade. She was sexually abused, receiving only Rs 500 from the trafficker for each client. She desperately wanted to escape and return to her normal life, but she couldn't find a way out.

In December 2022, hope arrived. With the assistance of VIHAAN and the Lal Bazar AHTU police team, Shakti was rescued from a brothel in South Kolkata. She was placed under the care and protection of All Bengal Shelter Home and was eventually reunited with her family.

But the challenges didn't end there. Shakti had been in grade 9 before her rescue and had missed all her final exams while staying at the shelter home. She wasn't attending school regularly, and was at the risk of dropping out. With her mother still working away from home and unable to provide consistent care, there was a real danger that Shakti could be re-trafficked.

Her parents knew their daughter needed a safe, stable environment where she could focus on her education. They wanted her to attend a residential school, but didn't know how to make it happen.

VIHAAN's social worker stepped in, searching tirelessly for the right placement, exploring both government and non-government boarding schools. Finally, in November 2024, Shakti enrolled in a boarding school in Canning. She continued her education and appeared for her board exam from her previous school, where her registration had already been completed. She attended tuition classes regularly and started to participate in all the daily activities at the school. For the first time in years, Shakti was happy.

A year later, Shakti moved into grade 10, which after being out of school for two years was a monumental achievement for her.

But Shakti didn't stop there. She also attended a drawing exam where she earned 1st Division with Star Marks, scoring 85% out of 100, and received a medal for her excellence. Her focus on her future is unwavering.

Now 17 years old, Shakti continues to receive educational and medical support from VIHAAN. Our social worker conducts regular follow-ups, ensuring she has everything she needs to thrive. Shakti is safe now and finally able to focus on building up her life. 

*Names has been changed to protect survivor's identity