Odanadi is a home for victims of human trafficking, developed by Mr. Stanley and Parashuram twenty-six years ago. This all began after they were out news reporting and had encountered a woman, "Radhamma" who from that moment forward would change their lives forever. They felt as if it was in their destiny to start something bigger than themselves to help those victimized from trafficking. Ever since they have begun an organization that has saved over thirteen thousand lives. Odanadi as Mr. Stanley explained means "soulmate" somewhere that will feel safe, with love, a place called home. Human trafficking is a global health issue that does not seem to get as much awareness as it should because it affects hundreds of thousands of women and children. Here, they are kept in safe haven until the problem is completely resolved in all aspects including, legal and social justice.  There is no six month or annual set stay for the women or children, they receive aid until they feel physically and emotionally ready to conquer life independently. Although capacity is at eighty people maximum. At Odanadi they received a lot  of opposition as men for supporting the women they were helping but they kept it up to them to work around social taboos, fight for equal rights/opportunities and continue to fight all odds.

   When dealing with such immense phenomenon as human trafficking the privacy of these people have to be kept confidential in all entirety. There are alliances ready to pick back up and find those who have been rescued or escaped because they are assets for them. They do not just rescue, or prosecute, they lobby, research, reintegrate and rehabilitate.  Unfortunately these women come from life altering situations where trauma and insecurity are at a high rate. The women have often been seen to even develop Stockholm syndrome which they then realize was to the benefit of the men making money out of them. (Sen, 2014)  Odanadi provides psychologically and psychiatric aid to those who are struggling mentally/emotionally. At first the women were skeptical to even attempt to go inside the institution. They were so scared and had absolutely no trust in everyone surrounding that they thought some business had to come behind the help.

   Two ways of being able to provide help to the women and children is, those who come voluntarily and those who are rescued. Rescues are a major danger aspects that comes to the success Odanadi has been able to provide. When going in the men and women are highly trained to go undercover to see what kinds of people they are dealing with. How much power do they truly hold? Most of the time if not all those in the human trafficking business are strong political people. That in itself is a tough battle to defeat because they have connections all around. These so called “pimps” have been doing this for quite some time and are even known for paying off police to stay quiet or to not bring them into legal matters. In such a huge country it is a very crucial how the own legal system works against these women just for a few rupees. Different beliefs that women should “bow” down are an actual thing here something that is very harshly looked upon in the U.S.A itself along with several other countries.

   Most of the girls that are trafficked are brought in from Bangladesh and Nepal. They are leaving countries in search of a better life and only end up being abused in the sex trade, totaling more than half of the sex trade coming from South Asia. (S. Huda, 2006)  “Underworld” people create identities for them called UID therefore when coming into the country they seem as they are nationals but in reality most of those bringing them in do not know the true identity. As far as children, what happens to them? Odanadi returns them to their family if they family are in the conditions to take them back and if they are not part of this trade. As Mr. Stanley shared some parents really do have the cruelty inside them to sell their own blood just for the time being of holding a share of rupees. How truthful are these parents is a battle the institution faces to make sure the children are returning to safe and caring environment.

   In order to get the most money out of the women as it is the second richest criminal industry at 32 billion dollars. (Sen, 2014) The traffickers actually provide health aid for them 99% of the time. But that does not mean that every single one of them do not catch an STD or HIV.  India still has one of the largest HIV population in the world despite their big country. (S. Huda, 2006)  Most of them are trafficked from rural areas for urban demand. The same men trafficking them are lobbying in attempt of making prostitution legal and putting distinctions between the "free" and "forced." (S. Huda, 2006)  The fact that this is a real issue is a total red flag, these men really believe it is fine and normal to do the harassment they are doing. Not only is there an emotional aspect but a physical aspect that Odanadi provides aid in. Giving only the best care for the women and children walking through those heavenly doors.

  Social opportunity goes hand in hand with financial freedom. With financial freedom, education is the main key. In the actual institute there are several vocational careers in beauty that the women can pick up on and then find jobs outside in the city; maybe even go on to open their own salons. Not only do they have it at their home location but seats are set aside in four local universities  in Karnataka, Mysore for those women who want to obtain careers in other majors coming from Odanadi. They achieved this after in applications for enrolling in the university they would ask for parent info and religion mandatory. But more than half of them do not have any sort of info on that matter leading them to not be able to go to school to pursue a higher education. It is now against the preamble of the constitution, which allows them to surpass those questions.

   Human trafficking is seen on the news on the western countries quite often but actually being in an environment where the ambiance is filled of such hope and joy regardless of what the women and children have been through is a life changing experience to say the least. Regardless of how dark a past is, after being wiped off from life and dignity these women continuously always find light at the other side of hardship and Odanadi provides that day in and day out. Promoting campaigns to get awareness and education is what helping out something bigger than yourself is. You have to be able to place yourself in these women’s shoes and find ways to be soft and gentle to just improve a day a little better.

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Huda, S. (2006). Sex trafficking in South Asia. International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics,

    374-381.

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Sen, S. (2014). Trafficking in Women and Children. | 54 | Journal of the National Human Rights

    Commission, 13, 51-74.

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