I hope to share stories from my time in India and my reflections on issues of gender-based violence, patriarchy, exploitation, holistic care, and the power of sisterhood. My education is in social work and I've been a part of the helping field for over 25 years. My work with women, young people, and communities has spanned across an incredible range of cultures and contexts. There's so much I have
n't seen or done; so much I have yet to learn, but I know this - the best way to serve others is through a holistic approach. The challenges facing each of us in this world are profoundly complex, but every person is gifted and worthy of dignity and respect. Meeting the needs of those we serve is endless work. It's messy, chaotic, and full of ever-emerging revelations. Yet it's work worth doing. After working over 15 years in Chicago government, I moved to Colorado Springs to be closer to family where I also got the awesome opportunity to work for Tirzah International, a network of women leaders around the world who are called to serve in their communities. This trip is my visit to Kshamata, a group in Mumbai, India serving women and adolescent girls who have been exploited, trafficked, and victimized. Kshamata's vision is a world free of exploitation, where women can live confident lives, with a clear sense of positive identity and self-worth. It's an honor for me to bear witness to the work these incredible women are doing, but this trip isn't about me. I invite you to join here, to learn, share, and be impacted by the beauty and power that shines in some of the darkest places on earth.
