I am free today

Ritika’s Story (Story told in the words of Ritika and staff who knew her mother)

“As much as I try to think back, I can’t really remember happy moments with my mother. I do remember trying to spend time with her but her not wanting any of that. What I do remember is violence and anger. She was often angry at people and I was constantly included as the object of her anger. She would get angry every time she got drunk and she was drunk all the time. And I remember clearly the day she fought with the police and was taken to jail. I don’t think I was even six but since I was with her, they took me along with her and we spent nights in jail.There are still times when I get sad and wonder why I was born into this world in the place that I was. I wonder why I was born to a mother that couldn’t love me. But I don’t have anger for her because I know she didn’t choose the life she had, through circumstances outside her control, her life was in the red light district and that’s where I was born. I am one of the many that have been born in the brothels. And I know how difficult, if not impossible it is to get out of the red light district once you get in. That must have been the case for my mom because my grandmother also lived in the red light district. So I can’t hate my mother or feel bad about her.” 

Anita Ritika’s mother had a lot of dark issues. She use to drink and would become very violent. She would walk naked on the streets. And as she continued to live this lifestyle she became very sick and was rushed to the hospital. 

Iona One day her mother got very sick. Another staff and myself we took the two girls to visit her mother in the hospital. 

Anita While visiting her mother at the hospital I met one of her friends and she asked us why you guys so concerned about her daughters and started abusing us. She asked us to leave stating that education is not that important for their children. 

Iona But she was more worried about her daughters then herself. And she kept telling us to look after my two daughters don’t let anything happen to them. I guaranteed her mother that her daughters would be safe and sound. I explained that we will take care and that her daughters would become something someday.

 Ritika As much as my mother did not want anything to do with me, my grandmother was completely the opposite. She was always looking out for me, doting on me, wanting me to be safe. And I know she tried to shield me from the life of the brothels, but I have seen so many violent and bad things. Things that a young girl should never see. There is one thing that I saw when I was young that gave me hope in the midst of the hopeless life that I was living. One evening, my grandmother took me to a church where she would go to on Saturday evenings and there I saw other girls like me and they were in the front dancing and I instantly loved it! That night, I fell in love with dancing, it felt so free.Then the most unexpected thing happened…one day, my grandmother said that she had talked to the people of that church, that they had a school and a nice home far away from Kamathipura. She said they would educate me and I would have a good life. The one person that loved me gave me a gift that would change my life forever. Though I knew I would miss her, I was so excited to leave the place I was born, a place that I never thought I would be able to leave.  A few days later, a nice lady from the group came to take me. I hugged my grandmother, took a small bag with the few clothes I had, and went with her on the longest train ride I have ever taken, two hours! Up until then, my entire world was made up of the few blocks of Kamathipura.It has been ten years since I have been at BTC. I am a student at the BTC Academy and have gone from having only one person that cared for me to having so many that love me. I have so many sisters that I get to play with, teachers that care for me and Devaraj Uncle that has become like a father to me. 

Iona I remember very well the first time I saw her dancing. She was dancing according to the music, she was a natural.  Her love of dance continues to grow. She has started teaching other girls how to dance by putting steps together.  Dancing is truly her passion. 

Ritika And that dream to dance finally came true. We have a big school event at the beginning of every year. It’s one of the best nights of the year when we practice a lot to perform songs, skits, and dances. And the teachers encouraged me to try out for the main dance. I did and I was selected! And I got on stage and performed before so many people. I still remember the face of Uncle and the principal as they looked at me with such joy and pride! 

Anita What happened to her family was wrong and we are glad Ritika is free from that.  Ritika continues to grow and live a full life despite her past. 

Iona It touches my heart to see all the talents each child has.  Ritika has no limits and makes us so proud. 

Ritika When I dance, I feel so free and though I was born into captivity,

 I am free today