Ending Human Trafficking India Project #55147

Shelter home for survivors of human trafficking

by Fundacion Sonrisas de Bombay

Project Report | Dec 2, 2025
Vocational training for Trafficking Survivors

By Jorge de Ory Murga | Director of Operations

Crafting Futures: Vocational Training at Udaan

At our Udaan Home Shelter we believe that vocational training is one of the most powerful tools to help survivors of human trafficking build a dignified and sustainable future. Through courses in sewing, computer literacy, beauty and wellness, and essential employment skills, women gain the knowledge and confidence to start their own businesses or secure formal jobs, ensuring long-term independence.

Through this approach, Udaan becomes far more than a shelter: it is a comprehensive recovery and training center. Alongside safe housing, food, medical care, and legal assistance, residents receive psychological support and participate in activities that foster their social reintegration. The true driving force of transformation, however, lies in the vocational training programs, which open real opportunities in sectors such as textiles, administration, and beauty services.

Each program combines technical learning with personal empowerment. Women not only acquire professional skills but also rebuild self-esteem, learn about their labor rights, and develop the confidence to present themselves in the job market without fear of exploitation. The name Udaan, meaning “flight” in Hindi, reflects the project’s philosophy: preparing women to take off toward independent and free lives.

The impact is tangible. Stories like Lalita’s, who now supports her daughter thanks to skills learned at Udaan, or Smita’s, who avoided a forced marriage and is currently pursuing social work studies, demonstrate how vocational training becomes a true instrument of social transformation.

For twenty years, Mumbai Smiles has been committed to initiatives like Udaan, reaffirming our peaceful fight against trafficking and poverty. Every skill acquired, every certificate earned, and every achievement reached is a step closer to genuine freedom, not only escaping exploitation, but having the tools to build a full and autonomous life.

Thanks to your support, this work is possible. Help us reach more women so they can join this project, leave behind the nightmare of exploitation, and face the future with hope and dignity.

Links:

Vocational training advances at Casa Udaan

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Aug 7, 2025
A new HT survivor has joined Udaan shelter home

By Jorge de Ory Murga | Chief Operating Officer

Prabha (ficticious name) was born and brought up in West Bengal. Abandoned by her first husband with a little boy, her parents got her married again to another man from her village who used to work in Mumbai selling fish, and was also divorced. They had a daughter soon after the marriage.

The problem begun when he fell deeply into debts, so he convinced Prabha to join him in Mumbai, where he would find a good job for her. Trusting him, she agreed and moved to Mumbai, to Bhiwandi red light area.

Her husband then forced her into sex trade. She felt betrayed and desperate, but the constant threats and her vulnerable situation kept her trapped. He completely controlled the money she earned, 10 to 12 thousand rupees (114 to 136 USD) per day.

At some point, she managed to go her native place along with her son, although leaving the daughter behind with her husband. Her family in her native place did not welcome her, and her husband kept threatening to harm her daughter to force her to come back.

She returned, but had made up her mind to exit sex trade and gain a decent life for her and her children. She tried to join a tailoring course, but was not able to complete it due to her husband’s constant interference.

She then came to know about our project, and approached us asking to join Udaan house. She expected to continue her training, and be able to get a job that would make her financially independent and capable enough to take the responsibility of her two children.

On July 11, whereas her husband was in the fish market place, we took her secretly from her husband's house in Bhiwandi's red light area and took her to our Udaan home shelter. Since then, Prabha has been sharing life in this safe haven with other women who want to break the chains of trafficking. During these weeks, she has worked tirelessly on her recovery.

The hardest part is over, but the path to independence will not be easy. Prabha wants to resume her sewing studies, find a decent job, and raise her two children in freedom.

Thousands of women remain trapped in similar situations, and each story of liberation is possible thanks to the support of people like you.

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Apr 9, 2025
Two new survivors at Udaan House

By Jorge de Ory Murga | Chief Operating Officer

Udaan home shelter has started the year in the best possible way: opening its doors to two new girls, survivors of human trafficking and abuse. Aditi and Kavita have already begun residing at Udaan and participating in programs aimed at their recovery.

Aditi and Kavita are very young. Aditi is 26 years old and comes from the state of Karnataka. Her older sister was prostituted in Mumbai, and kept trying to convince Aditi to join her as well. After suffering abuse from her brother-in-law and a suicide attempt, Aditi finally gave in to her sister and accepted a room in Mumbai where she would become a prostitute. Luckily, a local NGO and her own initiative prevented her from permanently entering the world of sexual exploitation, but she came very close to doing so. At that moment, she ran into Sonrisas de Bombay. Faced with the risk of ending up in sexual exploitation, we decided to offer her a place to join the Udaan project, which she accepted.

Kavita's case is unique and special. This young woman, now 20 years old, had been living in a shelter since she was 3. Her case came to our team, and we learned that Kavita was suffering from abuse and mistreatment there. She escaped, but was forced to return and, after successive problems and complaints, we managed to rescue her from that shelter, which we have reported to the authorities.

Like all survivors sheltered at Udaan, Aditi and Kavita begin living in the shelter from the moment they sign their declaration of responsibility. From then on, they begin managing the basic needs and tasks of living in a shelter, such as feeding, cleaning, and any household chores. Always with the support of our team of social workers, Aditi and Kavita will begin their physical and psychological recovery process, while also learning some tasks and skills. In this case, for example, they have already taken their first steps in sewing, which is one of the activities we promote at Udaan. All of this with the ultimate goal of their social and labor integration.

Thank you for helping us #breakwithtrafficking!!

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