Do you have a Hero?

AT some point in every ones life comes a time when we meet someone who makes the world of a difference in our life. They guide us, love us unconditionally, take care of us, protect us, vouch for us. But even though we know there might come a day when we will be strong enough to fly out on our own, we will always be indebted to this someone who held us, wiped our tears, kissed our forehead, and stayed around just long enough to say 'its OK.' I witnessed this respect in the eyes of dozens out here in Goa for the facilitators of ARZ. It was Ms. Juliana and Mr. Arun who pulled dozens out from the clench of prostitution and provided them with shelter, unconditional love, assistance, counseling, emotional support, strength, and eventually Swift Wash, a fully equipped laundry, for the victims to economically sustain themselves. My first day at the job, I had the opportunity to go on field to the 'then' red light area, Baina Beach. The area is still considered notorious and looked down upon because of the age old tag it was given; one that is almost impossible to wash off. At the arz office in Baina, I met a lot of women who were rescued from the trade and now associated with the laundry. Lots others whose children were studying in english medium schools thanks to Arz and many more who were associated with the NGO. It was a pleasant suprise to see almost all the women and children talking fluently in english; all after the association with the ngo. It is almost impossible to believe what you see. These women were educated and now play teachers in the slum to teach the kids. Lots of children pouring in the office, just to meet Juliana, hanging around in the office Icould feel the respect they felt for her. She was their hero. The children were going off to a 3 day camp, a rare opportunity for the slum kids, let alone the ones who were associated with Baina. Here I met a lady, whose name I now forget. We sat exchanging pleasantries and she started asking me who I was and why I was there. Then it was my turn to find out about her. She had kids of her own, and said she was associated with Juliana and the NGO since the last couple of years. The next lines touched me like no other ever had, in a first meeting. ''Main bhi kaam karti thi, phir madam aaya aur sab theek kar diya. Hum unke saath char paanch saal se hae. Madam bahut acche hae, baccho ko school bhejta hae bus hamare saath photo lena bhul jaata hae.", said she with tears in her eyes. Juliana was her hero. A celebrity for all of them in the office and in the slum around. Someone they wanted to be clicked with, associated to and show off to the world. After every end there is a beginning. Juliana and Arz came into their life when they had given in to the worlds oldest profession, dedicated, exploited, sold. And this wasnt even close to the end of their problems. Domestic violence, family thrashings, in more cases than none, a drunk, violent husband or boyfriend, etc. Every one has a different story to tell. But one thing is common in their voices that tell me the tales. Its the respect they hold for her, its the gratefulness in their eyes, and in every breath of fresh air they breathe and sigh of relief they take.