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Reformed Thought for Christian Living
Walking up the stairs to the platform, *Laxmi is careful not to step on the hem of her new sari. She dressed carefully today, adding fragrant jasmine flowers to her […]
Walking up the stairs to the platform, *Laxmi is careful not to step on the hem of her new sari. She dressed carefully today, adding fragrant jasmine flowers to her hair. She couldn’t believe the day had arrived!
Until recently, Laxmi and her two children, *Amiya and *Rakesh had barely enough food to eat, and her children vulnerable to traffickers. From the age of just 12, Laxmi herself had been the victim of systemic trafficking – exploited and abused by any man in her village. Day and night.
But Laxmi met one of our Village Leaders who introduced her to an alternative life, supporting her every step of the way. Providing healthcare and counselling, Laxmi was enabled to break free.
Today Laxmi is receiving a government-accredited diploma as a phlebotomy assistant. She studied for six months, learning to draw blood from patients, test it, and help make diagnoses in order that impoverished patients might return to health. Her new skills will support her family, and change the lives of people in her community, the very people who once exploited her, used her, and looked down upon her.
This day is beyond her wildest imagination. And seated in the audience are her proud children. While Laxmi has been studying, thanks to generous sponsors, they have been attending one of our Good Shepherd schools where they receive a quality English medium education with a holistic world view.
In 2024, nearly 300 formerly exploited women like Laxmi graduated from our skills training programs. Receiving government-sponsored certificates in garment making, beautician training, computer literacy, and paramedical skills, the smile on their faces expresses their joy.
Additionally, in the 350 villages where we have Village Leaders working, it is now over two years since we have seen any young girls dedicated into sexual servitude! Where we have an active presence, we are seeing this systemic dedication of vulnerable girls coming to an end!
Laxmi and her children are seeing their dreams come true.
Dr Beryl, head of the medical and advocacy work in South Asia, is coming to Australia in August, sharing testimonies and updates about this transformative work at HOPE dinners around the country. You can register today to hear how Village Leaders are helping women like Laxmi to find freedom and have their dignity restored, while ensuring at-risk girls like Amiya are safe from a life of horrific abuse. This ministry is serving ‘the least of these’ as impoverished and exploited communities find new life.
Dignity Freedom Network
Dfn.org.au/dinners | 1 800 949 774 | events@dfn.org.au
Link for the dinners can also be found here.
Tarryn Stokes, winner of The Voice (2023) is performing live at the Melbourne (and thus the livestream), Sydney and Adelaide dinners.
Dates are:
The Melbourne dinner is being live streamed, so anyone around the nation can join, but they need to register to get the link.
We’re also sharing at:
