Monica’s Story

Monica’s Story



After the small pot of rice was empty and even though our little bellies longed for more, momma would lay the mat down across the dirt floor. We all slept next to one another. In the cold months it kept me warm. In the summer months it kept me safe. I would sometimes pretend to be asleep and then watch momma silhouetted by the moonlight beaming in the small cut out of the corrugated tin walls. Some nights she would cry. Maybe she missed my dad who died shortly before I was born. Or maybe she missed my oldest sister who was married at a young age and moved to the city. Or maybe it was by younger brother – he made me cry plenty.  Other nights she would often reach for the small pot and feverishly run her fingers over every inch hoping to find even one piece of remaining rice. Defeated, she would set the pot down and fill her belly with water from the jug. I startled her one evening. I asked if she was hungry. She said water was enough to fill her. I told her she needed to eat. Why would she take no food for herself. “One day you will understand” she softly touched my cheek and told me to go back to sleep.

When I had just turned a teenager a suitor from our village spoke with momma about me. I thought of all the ways it would help her so without discussion I went with the man. But he was not a good man. Within a few short years I was the mother of three, but feared for their safety, as well as my own. After one evening where I thought me and my children may not survive, I sat in the stillness of the night. I thought of momma. I thought of leaving with the kids. I thought of her words to me when I was a child... in many ways I still was a child. My thoughts turned to my sister and I wondered if she suffered as I did. Enough – I thought. Enough thinking, wondering, fearing. I snuck out that evening and through the long course of the night got my children to mommas. The next day I came to understand a man from the village was traveling to the city. With my children safe, I left with him to find my sister. 

Road at night near brothel

The city was overwhelming. I had never seen such large buildings, loud cars and so many people. How was I to find my sister? The man assured me he knew, so I followed. We reached a place where the women looked hollow and the men looked wanting. We entered a building, climbed the stairs, and into a room where the man I was following began to speak with the greasy haired man. They exchanged money and the greasy haired man said he would take me to my sister. We moved through dark musty hallways, up stairs and around corners, through small spaces and finally to a closet sized room. My sister was not there. 

The greasy haired man raped me. He then sent customers to me. I couldn’t escape. Because I was so small and was younger he said more customers would come. They did. I feared they would never stop. They didn’t. I wanted to die.

Eventually, I was allowed to work the hallways where customers waited on small benches and three beds to a room separated by nothing more than a pull curtain. I had somehow gotten to the point where my mind was blank when with a customer – I wasn’t even there. What occupied my mind most of the time was my children. I longed to see them, to know they were safe. I dreamt about being freed from this place and making a better future for them. 

girl prepping in box

One afternoon just after we had awakened and were getting ready for the night’s work, a new woman was in the brothel – not forced to see customers, but she was there to talk to us. She was from Aruna and took a genuine interest in wanting to help us. I secretly thought, there is nothing this woman can do to help me. There is no place for me to go, no work for me to do, I’ve been made a sex slave for life. But she was so kind, so genuine. She talked about a business that was created just for me and the other women like me in desperate need of freedom. She said she would help me and help my children. 

I told her, I want to leave. I want to leave right now. The madams and pimps were still asleep and if we left this moment I could sneak out with her and never look back. My heart was pounding so loudly I thought it might wake them. She asked if there was anything of value to me in this place since I would not be coming back. I told her I had money hidden, my clothing, and my cell phone – but none of them matter to me as much as getting out of this place. Please, we must go now, I begged. And with that, we hurried down the dim hallway, down the main stairwell and out into the honking horns and bartering food stalls on the street. I never looked back.

I’m not sure why I trusted her in that initial meeting. But I have come to love her as an elder sister. She kept her word. I’ve been free for over six years now. I have been able to take care of my children – my son is pursuing his masters degree. I have my own apartment that I use to help others who are freed from the sex trade. I have dignity. I have respect. I feel so strong, nothing can stop me now. That is truly the power of freedom. I am an Aruna Artisan. 

Aruna, which means Bright Morning Sun in Hindi, represents a new chapter in the lives of these incredibly brave women. Aruna is an Athleisure lifestyle brand creating lifelong freedom for victims of sex trafficking through employment marked by holistic care. In short, Aruna frees, employs, and empowers. This is accomplished through hosting Aruna events across the US with thousands involved to raise awareness of sex trafficking as well as funds to bring freedom. Those funds are primarily used in Aruna’s Training Centers in the heart of the brothel systems in India to free women through Trauma-Focused cognitive behavioral therapy and financially incentivized Skill & Trade development. Once freed, a woman has the opportunity to step into Aruna’s Transitional Housing and Freedom Business. In the Freedom Business she earns a living wage, retirement savings, access to healthcare and ongoing trauma informed counseling in a community of others who have overcome. The Freedom Business produces Ahtleisure bags and accessories that are marketed in the US to the Aruna event participants as well as the open market through a direct to customer marketing strategy and select retailers. Aruna leverages this model to create employment opportunities in the US for those freed from sex trafficking domestically as well. Through this model Aruna envisions a day when every young women is free to choose her own adventure.

Photographs by Alison Wright Photography