Written by: Marissa Montalvo Life is one of the most precious things in the world and it takes tremendous courage to save one. Sparsh Founder, Timothy Hirwale, shares what motivated him to rescue and raise dozens of India’s children as his own and how his organization is making an impact. “There was a time in my […]
Return to India: A Warm Welcome at the Brothel
The oppression of the brothel is palpable, assaulting all the senses in unison. The stench of the street mingles with the sickening sweet mask of incense, the dank narrow staircases feel like upward winding tunnels, each floor reveals clusters of women—lovely, dressed for work, bejeweled bodies, empty gazes staring. Quiet, there is no chatter. They […]
Return to India: From Children’s Songs to Trafficker’s Woes
In the midst of 2009 and world-wide economic contraction, Timothy and Joyce founded “Sparsh” which means “to touch” and the way they have touched so many lives in such a short time is utterly amazing. It is our first stop on our site visits to India and Nepal, and after just a few hours’ sleep […]
Recent Secret Service Scandal Raises Awareness of Sex Tourism
Recently thrust into the media due to the less-than-honorable actions of some members of President Obama’s Secret Service team, sex tourism has risen to the attention of the global community. Sex tourism, defined as traveling to a domestic or international location with the purpose of purchasing sex, has become a multi-billion dollar industry with some […]
Back to Our Beginning
Two American women and one Indian man navigated their way through the heart of the brothel district in India. They entered one particularly dismal building, climbed four flights of dark and narrow staircases, and pushed their way through the choking stench of body odors vainly masked by incense. Every room they passed on the way […]