Odanadi

About Odanadi

Odanadi, means 'soul mate' in the local language Kannada. It is located in a rehabilitation centre on the outskirts of Mysore. This centre houses up to 80 women and children at any time. Boys are housed in temporary structures on a separate piece of land donated by the state government. Odanadi is a therapeutic community; members live together as an alternative family. Such an environment is essential for recovery as many have been separated from their families and communities. Residents are both long- and short-term, depending on whether it is possible for them to return to their communities. Depending on their age, they are offered education and / or training and also have access to counselling services to help them to try and overcome the trauma they have experienced.

Odanadi  was established 17 years ago in Mysore, Karnataka, by two social activists Stanly & Parashuram. They were working as journalists and were challenged by a street prostitute, Radhamma,  to actually do something to change the lives of those they were writing about. Their research into this issue made them aware of the extent to which women and children were being trafficked around India for commercial and sexual exploitation. Determined to do something, they secured some land and over ten years, with volunteer support, were able to build the Madilu Rehabilitation Centre with their own hands. Although they were not able to save Radhamma, who subsequently died from AIDS, they were able to provide her son with a home and education. He is now a lawyer working to support their cause.

As well as supporting those affected by trafficking, they work to prevent it at great personal risk. They work with communities to develop their ability to recognise and protect those who are most vulnerable to trafficking, predominantly the poor, rural and marginalised. This along with brothel raids, disrupts the trafficking networks.

Their vision is to create a people's movement against sexual exploitation and human trafficking through the provision of direct support and rehabilitation and to increase awareness of the issue in India and internationally. Whilst the primary focus of Odanadi is human trafficking, they also work to combat social injustice more generally and provide support to victims of domestic violence, domestic servitude and bonded labour.

Click here to learn more about Odanadi: www.odanadi.org