Kindled Spirit (Charity Registered No. 1159146) is a UK based charity dedicated to breaking the cycle of exploitation of young women, primarily from disadvantaged communities across India. Our purpose is to enable victims of trafficking and other forms of abuse to live independent, fulfilling lives beyond the limitations of their experiences. Our work is carried out in Mumbai, India and delivered by our long-term partner Kshamata, a small NGO registered and based there. Our exclusive relationship has been in place for 9 years and is formally recognised and managed via a memorandum of understanding. What makes us different is our approach to long-term rehabilitation: a three-stage model (ENGAGE, EQUIP and EMPOWER) cultivated and developed by award-winning philanthropist & social care worker, Bharathy Tahiliani, prioritising holistic recovery tailored to and by each woman that enters our care. This initially involves engaging the women through trauma counselling, providing medical care and then equipping them with life skills / vocational training.

Each girl being supported by Kshamata is unique and is treated as such, therefore there is no prescribed time limit on rehabilitation, but typically the support process takes 15 18 months. By the time the young women leave the programme, they have become bold, independent citizens, with transferrable skills that enables them to sustain themselves beyond the reach of exploitative income and modern-day slavery, providing an opportunity for an empowered community, workforce and generation to emerge, one woman at a time. Young girls who have been supported by Kshamata have been employed in retail, banking, catering, policing and even a taxi driver and continue to enjoy freedom and empowerment.