Temple Prostitutes

The girls in the children's home have been rescued from an ancient system of prostitution associated with a regional sect of Hinduism. There are more than 330,000 Hindu gods and goddesses, and these girls' families serve a goddess that requires the dedication of young girls as temple prostitutes.

The sacred pool outside the temple where the girls are dedicated.

Though it is officially illegal to dedicate anyone under the age of 18, the practice continues in secret with girls as young as four to appease the anger of the goddess. The practice is inherited, so many of the girls' mothers and grandmothers were also temple prostitutes.

Faithful followers purify themselves in this sacred pool.

There are an estimated 250,000 temple prostitutes above the age of 18, and Arun and Shobha estimate that there are at least that many below 18, making close to half a million women affected by this practice.

Two of the older temple prostitutes, carrying
their idols on their heads.
When they "retire" from prostitution,
they must keep the idols with them at all times.

Today, the rate of HIV infection among the prostitutes is very high, so many of the girls are actual orphans; others still have a mother or aunt living and working as a prostitute in one of the villages; and some have mothers who have left prostitution through the work of Caring Hands Ministry.

Jyothi

 Jyothi was seven years old when she came with her cousin to live at the children's home. Arun and Shobha found them living alone among the prostitutes, cleaning in a nearby hotel to earn enough money to buy food. Their mothers, sisters who had been dedicated as prostitutes, had both recently died of AIDS. Now, after a year with Arun and Shobha, they take us by the hand and lead us in silly circle games, dancing and singing and giggling like happy eight-year-olds around the world.

Happy girls!