An Indian descent businesswoman with an intent to amass funds to combat child trafficking in India is training to swim across the English Channel.
Leah Chowdhry, of the United Kindom who runs professional childcare service will set off from Dover to Calais in France on Wednesday to raise funds for the British Asian Trust, a charity founded by Prince Charles.
“I am honored to be one of the first ever British Asian women to take on this challenge, with only just short of 1,500 people to ever complete the swim,” said Chowdhry, who is set to battle with jellyfish, ship tankers and seasickness during a journey expected to take on average 13 hours in light and darkness.
Over the last six months she has been training hard to aid in raising funds that will go towards protecting children from trafficking and exploitation in India and render quality education for poverty-stricken children. For this life-changing work, she has already raised more than 35,000 pounds.
Approximately, nearly 1.2 million children in India are subjected to commercial sexual exploitation. Prerana, an organization in India partnered with British Asian Trust runs three night-care centers for children at risk, likewise shelter homes and a residential training center for girls saved from the trafficking trade.
The project will be supporting India’s introductory online resource center that is committed to the prevention of sexual acts against children and as well render 80 girls and women aged above 15 with a rehabilitation care program to build preferable futures.
The Trust is likewise working with The Education Alliance to modify primary education for the poverty-stricken urban communities in Delhi by bringing together foremost practice developed by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) for whole school transformation.
Nearly 1,800 students are set to accept high-quality primary school education through this work, and be assisted to enhance their learning levels.
Earlier in February, Chowdhry visited both partner organizations in India to notice the Trust’s work in action.
“When I asked some of the children what they aspired to be, they answered, ‘a footballer’ or ‘a doctor’, despite all their hardships, they remained so motivated and positive, which spurs me on even more with my training,” she said.
By Sowmya Sangam
