Bringing dignity, love and truth into the hopelessness of lives that are traumatized by exploitation and abuse, this is the Mission of Project Diya. It has been five years since Project Diya first began working alongside women and children who have been victims of sex trafficking, domestic violence or have been vulnerable to exploitation in one form or another. Project Diya’s strategy is encapsulated in five R’s: Rescue, Renew, Reintegrate, Restore and Rebuild.

In the five years since its inception, Project Diya has seen numerous women and children overcome the pain and trauma, return to homes and become thriving citizens. Many of these overcomers now work alongside Project Diya, bringing light to those that inhabit the dark places that they themselves overcame.

Our team of Counsellors and Social Workers work daily with these victims who are placed in government homes, bringing much required support and counseling as these victims work towards overcoming trauma.

Counselling

Justice and Hope provides Counselling for survivors at the Protection Home run by the government. Since August 2013, years J&H have counselled over 179 Survivors who have been admitted to the home for protection after being trafficked or abused or abandoned or run away or orphaned or found begging or pregnant minors or child marriage.

A combination of Art therapy, cognitive therapy, behavior modification, insight oriented therapy, coping methods, solution focused therapy, client-centered therapy, etc. are used by J&H to counsel.

From August 2013, Justice and Hope has been providing counselling for survivors at the Government Home. Till date, 213 girls who have been trafficked, abused, abandoned, orphaned, beggars, pregnant teenagers, child brides, runaways etc. have benefited from this counselling through 383 formal sessions and additional informal sessions. Many girls who wanted to give up on life now have a small ray of hope instilled in their hearts. Our hearts still ache when we hear stories of abuse and abandonment, but it pushes us to work harder and give our best to make a difference in the lives of these precious children.

Therapy through Art sessions

Survivors struggle with negative thinking and resort to self-harm, thus Justice and Hope started activities that teach values, self-worth, dignity and significance of existence and keep them involved in fun activities so that they spend lesser time in their painful thoughts and allow healing.

Currently 50% of the staff of Justice and Hope are survivors themselves but were able to overcome their past and thrive in the community. When they were in the protection homes, they recollect how the art therapy positively influenced them and thus knows of its importance.

Research shows that art activities help develop the brain’s capacity in early childhood. Art engages a child’s senses in open-ended play and supports the development of cognitive, social-emotional and multi-sensory skills. Children express how they feel and think about the world through their art, which gives them a way to express the feelings and ideas that they can’t put into words. In the above picture, the child drew two contrasting masks – one showing her inner feelings, and one showing how others perceive her, both contrasting each other. Art sessions also help the counselors identify the children that require immediate counselling.

Caretaker Sessions

We believe that the caretakers play an important role in the lives of children and the words they use and their actions impact the children for the rest of their lives. However, as they take care of the children, their needs are not given much attention to. Working over a period of years can burn them out. 

We believe that these sessions would give them time for catharsis, a time to relax and have discussions which would improve their mental and emotional state so that they are refreshed and are able to handle the children in a better way. We will also be giving training on some topics that would help them be better equipped.

Training sessions are tailored to the needs of the specific group but can cover topics including but not limited to;

1. You are unique

2. Self-Esteem 

3. You are better than you think

4. Caregiving tips

5. Stress and burnout

6. Personal qualities of a Caretaker

7. First Aid