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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, May 28, 2015 | 10 Treating girls, eight to 14, who had 20-30 johns a day by David Lea Oakville Beaver Staff A series of human trafficking awareness events, hosted by Sheridan College last month, raised approximately $50,000 to support victims of what is a modern-day slave trade. The events were held by the non-profit organization Partners International and took place over the weekend of April 11 and 12. Those who attended, watched a powerful documentary on human trafficking titled Nefarious: Merchant of Souls. The event also featured presentations by Smita Singh, director of the Mahima Home in India, and Vladimir Ubeivolc, leader of Beginning of Life in Moldova. Both run organizations that assist girls and women rescued from the sex trade. More than 200 people attended the events and while there was no charge for admission, Partners International received some major donations for its efforts. "We're always pleasantly surprised when you set a fundraising goal and you attain that," said Partners International President and Oakville resident Kevin McKay. "This was our first year of doing an event of this nature that was focused on human trafficking. We were thrilled with the response from the community and obviously, we are pretty happy with the final result in terms of the dollars raised." McKay said the money would be split, as designated, between the Mahima Home in India and Beginning of Life in Moldova. The Mahima Home runs homes for girls as young as eight who have been rescued from brothels in Kolkata. McKay said these aftercare homes take care of the girls' physical and mental needs with a focus on reintegrating them into the community. Beginning of Life also offers restorative care to You can imagine the kinds of stories that are being shared. We're talking about girls as young as eight to 14 who might have had 20-30 johns a day. I don't know about you, but I have a daughter who is that age so it hits close to home. Partners International Canada Kevin McKay For your memories. For always. Mature gardens. Stately mausoleum. Tranquil cremation paths. Choose your special way to preserve precious memories in the timeless beauty of Glen Oaks Funeral Home & Cemetery. At a time of need or when planning ahead, call: Smita Singh is a clinical psychologist and the director of The Mahima Care Home in Kolkata, India, a project of Partners International Canada. Singh tells her story, at a recent conference at Sheridan College. | photo by Riziero Vertolli ­ Oakville Beaver (Follow on Twitter @halton_photog or facebook. com/HaltonPhotog) women and girls who have either left, or been rescued from, the sex trade. Both institutions also provide vocational training and help the women and girls complete their education. McKay recently returned from a visit to the Mahima Home. "You can imagine the kinds of stories being shared. We're talking about girls as young as eight to 14 who might have had 20-30 johns a day. I don't know about you, but I have a daughter that age so it hits close to home." "What you can see the minute you walk in, are the girls who are new to the program who are recently-rescued, and how absolutely broken they are. You can see it in their faces, their spirits are just shattered. Then you can see very quickly see Combating on p.10 905-257-1100 Look for us on Facebook glenoaks.ca Certified Auto Glass Technicians with 22 years of experience All windshield,door & back glass in stock Glen Oaks Funeral Home & Cemetery by Arbor Memorial We pay up to 100% of insurance Deductible · We deal directly with your Insurance Company · Life time Warranty against leaks · Stone chip repairs · Free Mobile Service · Free Pickup & Drop OFF d rs n this a Mentio dshield wipe in w e dels e o r F m t d and ge s to most make an Applie 3164 Ninth Line (403 & Dundas St.), Miss./Oakville, ON Arbor Memorial Inc. Family Owned. Proudly Canadian. Buy 1 Get 1 FREE Buy 1 dozen roses with accents and fillers for $29.99 and receive the 2nd dozen Offer expires June, 11, 2015. Not combinable with other promotional offers. FREE 281 Speers Road Oakville ON ® 905.339.0339 1.855.339.0339 www.speersautoglass.ca n El iza be ye th cr W of ay tR d 100% satisfaction guarantee · Open 7 days a week · Same day local delivery Ke rr 11 Ontario Stores: Burlington Oakville Mississauga London (8) www.forestofflowers.com Sp ee r Oakville Store: 2387 Trafalgar Rd at Postridge · 905-257-0777 St ee Qu sR rv al Dr oa d Do . W