This morning’s energetic yoga set the pace for our day and especially touched me as today’s instructor recited “Our Deepest Fear” by Marianne Williamson to end the class. It was a beautiful start to what would be an equally beautiful day.

We traveled to a small village outside of Kolkata this morning. I love the chaotic energy on the streets in India and the car rides to get to our partners’ facilities..the hustle and bustle of cars, rickshaws, motorcycles, and animals…All making noise, honky horns and weaving in and out of each other in this terrifying dance, that somehow works flawlessly for them. I stare out the window entranced by the action all around…each little scene feels like a movie and I find I want to capture these everyday moments with my camera the most. I am reminded of past trips to Nigeria, Morocco, Cambodia…where I wanted to do the same and they remain my favorite captures from each trip. Life happening in different parts of the world, how different, yet the same. As I sat on the bus today, I realized that I have an element of Journalist in me…I feel a sense of responsibility to document and share these journeys….and it is almost intoxicating in the moment for me to do so.

We were greeted by rickshaws that took us into this community of tiny weaving streets, flanked by small buildings piled on top of each other, surrounded by serene water and lush green spaces. It was a contrast to the crowded chaos of the city…it was peaceful, felt safe, and it even had an air of quaintness that appealed to me…I wanted to stay awhile.

And at the end of this lovely rickshaw ride, there it was…Puresa Humanitarian. The entrance draped with the most gorgeous, bright flowers…it was happy, beautiful, and clearly touched with a lot of love. The founder, Giselle Meza, was standing there and you can’t miss her, she is a gorgeous woman with the most loving eyes. A handful of girls were with her, dressed in their most colorful Indian finest…anticipating our arrival. Each of the girls gave us something…a handmade flower crown, blessing water, and a red dot on our foreheads, a bindi.

The purpose of a bindi as I know it is to remind you throughout the day about the purpose of life. You cannot see the mark on your own forehead so whenever you see it on another face, you will get a chance to recall the purpose of your life. The idea is to remember that all the things you are doing are dedicated towards the achievement of this supreme goal of self realization. I love that.

Puresa Humanitarian is a grassroots not-for-profit rescuing women and children from slums and brothels. The woman behind this organization is Giselle Meza and she is the one personally risking her life on every rescue. Her story is one that needs to be told to grasp how invested and passionate she is to this cause.

At age 14, while living in Oregon with her single, working mother, she was abducted by a women who befriended her. She was taken to London, locked in a room for 2 weeks and trafficked. By the Grace of God one night she escaped and somehow made her way back to Oregon where she kept this shameful secret until just 3 years ago. In her 20s she went on to become a very successful high profile model gracing the covers of Vogue, Marie Claire, Elle.

 While traveling the world she witnessed the horrific epidemic of human trafficking and knew she had to help. And today she does just that. Puresa Humanitarian is a wholistic approach rescue center. She provides a safe and loving home, prevention and rehabilitation programs and skills training. Her passion for this runs deep and it is obvious talking to her and being at Puresa Humanitarian. I believe in her and her work so much that I left there honestly trying to figure out how I can come back here a few months a year to be a part of her work….it is just that moving. If you want to learn more please visit her website http://www.puresa.org

Our day here was truly beautiful…planting a sustainable garden with the girls, henna tattoos, yoga and laughter.

Oh…and I almost forgot to mention just a small detail of our day…we *may* have visited Mother’s House and tomb. Mother Teresa of course. I have no words to describe how overwhelmingly special and surreal it was…only gratitude.

“Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.” Mother Teresa

Today was so very good.