A New Journey
Tanaya was born into the Agrey-wali community in India, a community long shadowed by a legacy of generational family prostitution. At just 18 years old she was taken away.
“When I was taken away from my parents, I was angry and confused,” Tanaya recalls, her voice carrying the weight of a childhood stolen.
Even as a baby, Tanaya’s life was shaped by the hands of an influential couple deeply entrenched in the sex trade. They raised her under their care, sending her to an English-medium school like any other girl her age. On the surface, everything seemed normal. But behind the smiles and lessons, a cruel plan was unfolding: Tanaya was being groomed for the sex trade from the very start
After being rescued from the red-light community where she had grown up, Tanaya was placed in Mahima Homes. At first, she was angry and upset—her world had been turned upside down by being taken away from the only “family” she had ever known. But as the reality of her so-called parents’ actions became clear, her heartbreak ran even deeper.
“I couldn’t believe that the people I called mummy and daddy would one day give me away for prostitution,” Tanaya says, her voice heavy with hurt.
With time, patience, and counseling, Tanaya slowly began to process her emotions. She came to understand that she had been groomed to be used as a pawn for high-value clients. Accepting the truth about her so-called parents was not easy—the trust she had placed in them had been shattered.
To help her navigate this painful journey, the staff at Mahima Homes engaged Tanaya in various activities, giving her space to heal and redirect her thoughts from the memories of her early life. It was hard for her to grasp that the love and care she had known was never genuine—it had been part of a cruel plan. Yet, step by step, Tanaya began to reclaim her sense of self, learning that she was more than the life others had tried to define for her.
At Mahima Homes, Tanaya began to discover the true value of her life. Life skills classes helped her understand her worth, while music and dance therapy gave her a safe space to express and cope with her emotions. She received a quality education, with after-school tutoring support that helped her achieve strong grades in her Class 10 Board examinations. Career counseling also guided her in planning the next steps of her future.
When asked about Mahima’s impact on her life, Tanaya smiles and says, “Mahima has provided me the platform to think beyond my present. I am thankful to Mahima for being in my life and giving me the confidence and encouragement, I need from time to time.”
Today, Tanaya is studying in Class 11, majoring in Commercial Studies. She dreams of becoming a Chartered Accountant and using her voice as an advocate for girls who, like her, are vulnerable to the traps of prostitution. Her journey is a testament to resilience, hope, and the power of a safe, nurturing environment to transform a life.
“Mahima has provided me the platform to think beyond my present. I am thankful to Mahima for being in my life and giving me the confidence and encouragement, I need from time to time. ”