The Foreign Service Journal, June 2005

Though initially terrified during those first weeks trapped in this truck stop by the river, in time Madhura returns to her habit of distancing herself from the physi- cal needs of the men who frequent Sunil’s brothel. The clients, mostly truckers waiting for their next dispatch assignment, come during the day, wending their way through the narrow jungle path to the clearing where she and the other girls wait. Sunil watches over them, assign- ing clients, who are escorted to temporary thatched huts dug partially into the ground. He ensures that they are out of the jungle before sunset, when the jungle snakes emerge from their underground burrows for their evening meal. Now 19, Madhura has seen it all and no longer fears the worst. Filthy and violent clients, nights in jail and beatings by the police have hardened her over time. And she has become one of Sunil’s favorites. He sends her the better- paying clients now. A local organization helps teach her how to negotiate with clients to use condoms and gives her a notebook filled with colorful Kama Sutra packages where clients can choose a favorite brand. The organization, which donates condoms each month to Sunil, also provides regular check-ups and HIV/AIDS testing to Madhura and her co-workers. Yes, Sunil has been good to her. Madhura knows she can never go back to Vadipatti, but she sends money every month to her mother for Meena’s care. After earning her day’s wage in the jun- gle hut along the river, Madhura lies on the Vaigai’s large river rocks, safe from the snakes now plying the dense undergrowth. She sniffs the sweet kadamba flower she picked on her way out of the jungle this evening and listens to the bright green parrots squawk- ing overhead as they flock to their nightly roosts. She unbraids her long hair and dips her head into the cool water, washing her memories downstream. Her focus is now on 3-year-old Meena’s future. Meena, who in Madhura’s mind is a beautiful and brave princess like Meenakshi and worthy of a Lord Shiva. Meena, who will fall in love and live happily ever after with her hus- band in a beautiful temple. n F O C U S J U N E 2 0 0 5 / F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L 45 2000 N. 14th Street n Suite 500 Arlington, VA 22201 Telephone (703) 797-3259 Fax (703) 524-7559 Tollfree (800) 424-9500