Join Hands With Ex Army Officer Bhavana To Protect Kids From Abuse & Trafficking

21-year-old Bhavana was studying for her exams on a cold winter night in her home in Hyderabad when suddenly she noticed something move in the pile of sand right outside. 

“There was a construction site and I think I saw a child huddle around the bags of sand. I called my sister and we both went out for a better look. And there he was - a 7-year-old boy, shivering and cold, trying to fall asleep. When we put a blanket over him, he looked at me shocked and in fear. I will never forget that expression!” - Major Bhavana (retd.), Founder, Swakshatra. 

That night, many years ago, Bhavana decided to work in child protection because, in her own words, ‘I don’t want any child to live in fear.’  

An ex-Army officer, Bhavana invites you to join her in shaping a brighter future for those who have faced unimaginable challenges and stand strong against the evils of trafficking and abuse.

Her passion and energy are the driving force behind Swakshatra 

Bhavana then went on to join the Indian Army and retired in 2009 after a nine-year stint with the Corps of Engineers (Madras Sappers). But Major Bhavana Chiranjay (retd.) didn’t stop serving the nation even after her retirement. From 2010, Bhavana volunteered with Prajwala Hyderabad, an NGO that has been working in the field of anti-human trafficking for more than two decades.  

“I learned a lot and finally had a considerable amount of experience to start something of my own. Together with my friends from the Fauj, like Captain Smitha Naidu, a officer of Indian Army Services Corps , and other passionate individuals like Dr. Sridevi Vadakoot, we started our fight to prevent child abuse and ensure the development of women and young girls.”  

Bhavana and team's vision culminated in the establishment of Swakshatra in 2016 in Bangalore. They are now home to 21 girls who have experienced various forms of abuse – s*xual, physical, emotional, and mental. These resilient girls include survivors of child trafficking, victims of child abuse, and those orphaned due to the devastating impacts of the pandemic. 

Swakshatra in Sanskrit means innately strong. The organisation believes in nurturing the all-around well-being of the girls under its care. Beyond providing nutritious meals and education, the girls are immersed in activities like music, yoga, martial arts, and animal rescue, fostering holistic development and restoring their carefree and happy days of childhood. 

Bhavana mentions how each of these has painful stories to share - while some have been abused by their close relatives, some others have been lured into big cities with promises of good jobs and better lives. Little children have been forced to work in homes where they have been s*xually exploited. 

“But we try our best to help them overcome these incidents and encourage them to follow their dreams. They are such bright kids - a little nudge in the right direction makes a world of difference.” 

Swakshatra seeks your support to give more girls a second chance at life

Swakshatra's dedicated team envision a brighter future for these at-risk girls. They want to give them the love and support they deserve but this is not an easy task. They need your help with groceries and stationeries and building a safe environment where many more girls will thrive. Join Bhavana’s mission to empower these brave young souls.  

“They are India’s future - helping them today will help build a stronger tomorrow not just for the kids but also for the country. Your support means the world to us.”