14% of all children in India are subjected to child labour; this is one of the highest rates in the world (UNICEF 2005). Although child labour is now prohibited under Indian law, with extremes in poverty such that 35% of the population live on less than a dollar a day, and 55% of women are illiterate (UNICEF 2005), the practice of child labour continues at this alarming rate. Often the work that the child must undertake is extremely hazardous and exploitive. Girls are often the victims of the most extreme exploitation and abuse, as they are considered the less valued child. Children can be bonded labourers from the moment they are born and must work to pay off a debt incurred by their parents, or even grandparents. As they are the property of the owner, children are often verbally, physically and sexually abused by the adult who have power over them. Families who are victims of extreme poverty will often sell their children as servants, only to have their children abused by the house owner or placed in brothels and made to work. In the most devastating cases parents will sell their own daughters' bodies and allow them to be raped, as a daughter is considered a burden if she is not making money.

FreeToBeKids currently has two homes in India which care for children who were once exploited, abused and in desperate need. Through these homes, a hand of rescue is extended to these children. They are given the dignity and worth they are entitled to as a human being and they are provided with all the rights and freedoms of childhood.

Handpost Children's Home

The Handpost Children's Home and Babies' Home is in the southern Indian state of Karnataka, in the Mysore district. This home is presently at full capacity, with 59 children and 6 babies living there. A new dormitory is currently being built to comfortably accommodate all the children and staff. There are also plans in the near future to open a vocational training centre and employ a community nurse to provide healthcare for mothers and babies in the community.

RADHIKA'S STORY - In December 2005 Radhika was an unwanted five year old girl who's father was planning to sell her to a brothel when the FreeToBeKids workers heard about her. They gave her father the option of sending her to the Handpost Children's Home, where she arrived scared, dirty and exhausted. Within a few months of arriving at her new home she had settled in, put on weight, and was happy with her new "sisters." Radhika continues to enjoy life in the Handpost Children's Home and is doing well in school and having fun with her friends. Thanks to her sponsors she now has the promise of a better life.

All of the children rescued in India by FreeToBeKids are cared for by our trained staff in the homes. They receive medical care, counselling, nutritious food, education, clothing, school uniforms, vocational training, all the love and care that they require, and the hope for a better future.