Our Little Loves…
We work with dozens of children who have overcome far more than they should have had to, here are a few of their stories…
Names and personal characteristics have been altered for the safety of the children
Sita and her sister were found on the streets scavenging for food. Her mother had abandoned them when they were young, leaving Sita and her sister in the care of their alcoholic father. When he was able to work, he spent his earnings on alcohol, leaving Sita and her sister forced to take to the streets for survival. They were found and brought to safe housing where they were enrolled in school for the first time.
Sita continued to carry the wounds of trauma and was racked with anxiety. She also struggled to communicate and interact with her peers, struggling to reach typical childhood milestones. However with a lot of love (spelled t-i-m-e), Sita has blossomed into a beautiful young girl with incredible grace and resiliency. Tali Koum Collective works with Sita, her teachers, and her home parents to promote her development, this includes supporting her in and out of the classroom through educational intervention and advocacy. Sita can now be found on the playground playing and laughing with her friends! She enjoys drawing and coloring (especially mermaids)! Tali Koum Collective was also able to gift her and her sister their very first books. They both enjoy pink princess books and love spending quality time with our staff learning to read them!
Tali Koum Collective firmly believes that prevention is far better than rescue when it comes to human trafficking. Without having parents or guardians, Sita and her sister were the ideal targets for traffickers. We believe that every child deserves access to education, safe housing, and people to tend to their wounds. We are incredibly excited to see what Sita and her sister do in this world!
Sita
Dipika is in 10th grade and continues to excel in and out of the classroom despite everything she has been through. When she was very young her parents died and she was left on the streets where a family brought her into their house as a maid. For years she was passed around from household to household forced to shovel cow dung, work in a butcher shop, and care for other’s homes. She was denied access to education for years. An NGO found Dipika and referred her to one of our partners where she received safe housing and education. Here Tali Koum Collective has been able to come alongside of her as an older sister. She has been able to spend quality time with staff where her voice is heard and valued, a basic right that was taken from her at such a young age. Dipika has also taken part in various trainings on mental health and emotional regulation. In her nation there is an exorbitant amount of stress on children her age to pass her exams or enter the work force. Many children in 10th grade die by suicide each year. With all that she has been through her risk factors for mental health issues are tremendous. Tali Koum Collective is honored to walk with her through such a pivotal time in her life and give her the support, training, and attention that she deserves. When she grows up she wants to be a nurse! When she isn’t studying or playing with her friends she can be found watching Korean dramas:)
Dipika
Huri, Rohan, and Rema are all siblings who were referred to our partners after witnessing their father abuse and ultimately kill their mother. Their father is currently in prison. Each of these siblings carries their wounds differently. Huri the middle son is often uncomfortable when exploring emotions. Tali Koum Collective has enjoyed coming alongside of Huri through free play. He loves to move and groove! Through free play he has loved teaching his little brother Rohan how to ride bike, a feat that he shares often. Through free play he has explored his wounds, stepped into his role as a brother, rebuilt his autonomy, and built healthy relationships with Tali Koum staff. When he grows up he wants to join the army! We have no doubts!
Rohan the youngest of the three is a soft hearted boy who wears his heart on his sleeve. Amid the harsh landscape of his nation, showing difficult emotions has shown itself to be dangerous. Tali Koum Collective has loved giving Rohan a safe space to express and process his emotions through arts and crafts. He is a precious boy who loves the color red and may be the next Picasso!
Rema is the oldest of the family and therefore takes on a lot of the burden. She is currently in 8th grade and is taking health classes with Tali Koum Collective. In class she is learning about her body, reproductive health, exercise, and proper nutrition. She sits in the front row and is often the first to raise her hand. Tali Koum Collective is excited to see her confidence and belief in herself grow. She has also loved spending quality time with our staff where she is able to receive the love and care that she so freely gives to her family.