The Tolland Church has pledged a church-wide effort to provide spiritual and financial help for the project. Their mantra for the effort is “Build a School for Made by Survivors”. Efforts started with their “Fast for Freedom” program during the Lenten season, the 47 days before Easter Sunday, where various members pledged the monies they saved from what they gave up for Lent. Additional funds will be pledged at their “Build a School” event on April 28th, where participants can “buy” a portion of the building, such as: a window, door, steps, etc. Through these efforts the Church hopes to make a significant contribution toward the building of the school and shelter. Townspeople and anyone interested in helping in this effort are encouraged to join in with church members and friends at the Pledging Fair event from 11:15 to 12:30 on Sunday, 4/28/13. For more details on the project see the Church Web Site and/or Facebook page: United Congregational Church of Tolland TEN works with other nonprofit organizations which perform the actual rescue efforts. After the rescue of these modern-day slaves, mostly young girls, TEN and “Made by Survivors” trains and employs them. They learn to do jewelry fabrication (goldsmithing), leatherwork, sewing and tailoring, hospitality, healthcare, and technology repair. The goal is to provide education and income so that these disadvantaged and marginalized young people do not fall back into poverty and are no longer vulnerable to being trafficked. The current “Made by Survivors” program in India is supporting about 200 survivors.
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