To mark International Women’s Day, the local Meaford-Thornbury Amnesty Group is helping to present a play and presentation written by Maija Robinson who attended GBSS in Meaford.
The script is based on journalist Patricia McCormick’s book Sold!
The novel concerns thirteen-year-old Lakshmi who lives with her family in a small hut on a mountain in Nepal. At first life is idyllic for Lakshmi. However, Lakshmi's family loses all that remains of their crops in a monsoon. Then, her stepfather says she must leave home and take a job in the city.
Lakshmi undertakes the long journey to India looking forward to her new life. She is full of pride that she will be earning money for her family. Then, she learns that for 10,000 rupees she has been sold into prostitution.
When an American comes to the brothel to rescue girls, Lakshmi finally gets a sense of hope.
Unfortunately, thousands of girls are sold into prostitution each year. This poignant look at what their lives are like will be presented at the LE Shore library in Thornbury on March 7 at 2 PM. Free will donations are welcome and will go to Amnesty.
Amnesty International is a worldwide movement of people dedicated to the protection and promotion of human rights. The Meaford-Thornbury area has a very active amnesty group.
They focus on letter-writing and fund-raising, meeting twice each month and write letters to government officials around the world asking that they adhere to human rights treaties and agreements.
