Punnamannil, who is in his fourth year of an International Studies degree at Trinity Western University, was in India for five months to work with two local non-profit organizations that rescue trafficked girls and women from brothels and slums. Punnamannil, whose family immigrated to Canada from India in , has launched a new charitable organization called Lighthouse Voyage, which brings together artists who want to donate their work to raise money to help rescue enslaved women and girls in India.
He looked like an accountant or something. And he had a price range depending on the age. Many of the young women had been sold by their poor parents or from orphanages and had spent most of their lives drugged and imprisoned in a brothel, he said.
After they paid money for their release, they took them to a safe house, where Punnamannil said they receive medical attention, rehabilitation, and are taught skills like sewing or writing to help them find work. The experience made him realize that he had to do more from home to help those women and children, and so he decided to build Lighthouse. The non-profit charity has a board of seven and was registered with the federal government in December.
He liked the idea of bringing together artists and musicians, who donate their work to Lighthouse Voyage, which then sells the art on its website. Art is one of the most incredible gifts. People go to these mediums to find peace, hope, and comfort. However, Punnamannil hopes to grow his charity so that he can set up his own foundation and rescue centre in India. Anyone interested can email Punnamannil through the charity website thelighthousevoyage.
While Punnamannil grew up in a Christian home and said his faith is deeply important, he said Lighthouse is not a Christian charity, nor is it motivated by missionary work because he wanted it to be inclusive of all religions or beliefs. Your account has been reactivated. Sign in. You must verify your email address before signing in. Check your email for your verification email, or enter your email address in the form below to resend the email.
