Friday, May 18, 2007


Over 2 million children are forced into sex slavery each year.

If you think you can’t make a difference, think again...
My name is Kiren, I am volunteering with Volunteer Brazil in June of this year (2007). For 5 weeks I will be volunteering on the women at risk program in Recife.
As a Master’s Degree student in psychology at New York University, I have earned the opportunity to help the victims of sexual trafficking in Recife, Brazil with Casa de Passagen (House of Passage) for five weeks starting June 2007. Brazil is among the top three countries with the highest number of sex trafficking victims (some as young as six years old). UNICEF estimates that the number exceeds 500,000.

Casa de Passagen is a project based in Brazil that works with the city council, local authority, police, courts, judges, and other social service agencies to assist street prostitutes and sex slaves. Casa de Passagen rescues, rehabilitates, and empowers these women and children through shelters, counseling, education, various types of therapy, job skills and training, and recreational activities.

I am currently the on-site counselor for ECPAT-USA (End Child Prostitution, Child Pornography, and Trafficking of Children for Sexual Purposes), running a program that gives young adults an opportunity to educate, raise awareness, and develop and implement projects that address this increasing problem. I also have relevant counseling experience, especially working with diverse communities. I hope to use my education, skills, and experience to support these victims in starting a new life. In addition to the psychological services I can provide, my passion for raising awareness about the horrors of prostitution and trafficking will enable me to educate others throughout Brazil.

All programs are run solely on volunteer contributions, and therefore each program has a fee. To be able to participate in this program, I need financial assistance, which I hope you can help provide. If possible, I am asking to be sponsored for at least one day of my program ($111.11). However, any donation that you can contribute would be greatly appreciated. Checks can be sent to the address below.

I encourage you to visit http://www.volunteerbrazil.com/ to learn more about the program.

I thank you in advance and I look forward to sharing this experience with you. Kiren Shingadia.
Help me Fundraise!

Contact me:
email: Attention of Kiren: information@volunteerbrazil.com