Since its very beginning, Usthi has been committed to protecting minors and enabling them to grow up in a safe environment. For many children and young women this is still not possible in India. Over 80,000 children disappear every year in this large country. That’s 220 every day, and more than 9 every hour! That not a single child in this world should fall into the hands of human traffickers needs no further explanation. Usthi is therefore actively committed to combating and preventing child trafficking.

With our new project, which we launched in January 2017, we are supplementing our previous efforts against child trafficking. The new project Jogini Women’s Shelter is a family community that temporarily accommodates former temple slaves and guarantees them safe accommodation. Temple slavery has been prohibited by law since the 1980s. But the law was never enforced and estimates currently amount to around 250,000 temple slaves in India alone.

For the time being, we have included 10 former temple slaves in our existing program in Medchal. But the request is much higher and we could immediately accept at least 60 women. But the family communities are already filled out and there is no more living space on the campus. We plan to build more houses in the near future to meet the demand. To make the construction possible and to free more women from slavery, we need your support!

In 1977 the Usthi Foundation opened the first school in India. 40 years later, we continue to support socially disadvantaged children and young people. Our commitment is only possible through your support!

For four decades, Usthi has been working for the weakest members of society with the aim of enabling them to live an independent life in dignity. With your donation you set an important sign of solidarity with these people and are a vital part of the Usthi family. We would like to take the 40th anniversary as an opportunity to thank our donors and celebrate our joint commitment with two events. Make a note of the dates in your agenda, further details will follow shortly!

29 September 2017 – Usthi Festival and Film Premiere
Usthi shot a documentary with the support of a professional film team. We are showing the film to the public for the first time at the Usthi Festival.

21 October 2017 – 40th Anniversary Concert
We are delighted that the 10-year-old violinist Leia Zhu, together with the Zurich Chamber Orchestra ZKO, is playing an exclusive anniversary concert with the Usthi family at Rapperswil Castle. We are looking forward to an unforgettable evening!

More details on the events will follow shortly, thank you for your patience.