Mumbai, April 26, 2024: Nonprofit organisation Missing Link Trust (MLT) has raised Rs 120 lakh for child safety programme on the on The National Stock Exchange’s (NSE) Social Stock Exchange (SSE) platform.
MLT works towards preventing child abuse and exploitation in India. It has listed its Child Safety Education Bond on SSE. The bond, designed as a Zero Coupon Zero Principle (ZCZP) instrument, was fully subscribed, fulfilling the organization's fundraising goal of ₹120 Lakhs for this project.
“We are delighted to announce the successful completion of our Child Safety Education Bond listing on the Social Stock Exchange,” said Leena Kejriwal, Founder Trustee, Missing Link Trust.
“The overwhelming response from 18 philanthropists, especially from SVP Partners, demonstrates a shared commitment to empowering and protecting vulnerable children across India. I am a proud grantee of SVP Mumbai, having always admired their motto of participatory philanthropy rather than just giving funds. The funds raised will enable us to expand our MASSp program and empower some of our most vulnerable children to stay safe online and offline,” she added.
The move is aimed to educate 29,000 adolescents through the Missing Awareness and Safety School program (MASSp), which educates children and adolescents to protect themselves from sexual abuse and exploitation. Through the fulfillment of this bond adolescents in Sundarbans, West Bengal will have the education they need to keep themselves safe. SVP India's capacity building support has also been instrumental in empowering the MASS program participants and driving the program's growth.
“I'm delighted to see the listing of Missing Link Trust (MLT) on the Social Stock Exchange. Their work in raising awareness about child abuse and harassment is truly remarkable. SVP India has been a proud partner with them for a year, supporting the MASS program's expansion to Mumbai schools through capacity building. We look forward to continuing our collaboration as MLT expands its reach across new geographies. I would also like to thank all the other donors for their contributions to make this issue a success,” Govind Iyer, All India Chairperson, SVP India, said.
India saw a 400% increase in cybercrimes committed against children from 2019 to 2020. 56 lakh suspected reports of Child Sexual Abuse Material in 2022 came from India, highest in the world and —a 6% increase from 2021. There is a dire need to systematically educate children to prevent sex abuse and exploitation online - to teach them how to keep themselves safe in this new digital world.
“Missing Link Trust (MLT) works in the very critical and highly challenging segment of prevention of sex trafficking. Leena Kejriwal, founder of MLT and her team have done an outstanding work in this space through their education and awareness programs amongst school children. At the time of our initial association, MLT went through the rigorous selection process conducted by the Grants Committee of the Mumbai chapter of SVP, emerged with flying colours and became part of the handful of NGOs selected for support amongst the 30 odd NGOs under consideration.
“SVP Mumbai chapter is ecstatic at the successful completion of the ZCZP public issue of MLT after a fairly intense and rigorous process over several months. Several SVP partners also contributed to this success. This issuance makes MLT amongst the first 10 listed not-for-profits in India – this is even more commendable considering the relatively young age of MLT. It also serves as an endorsement and validation of MLT & its social change model. We look forward to continued engagement with MLT and its scaling of even greater heights,” said Prasad Baji, SVP Mumbai Chapter Chairperson.
One in every two children face sexual abuse in India. A girl goes missing in India every 8 minutes. 60% of them are under 14 years old. Today, a large population of our children and adolescents have moved online with no education of digital hygiene or cyber civic sense.
“Mentoring Missing Link Trust (MLT) as a partner of SVP India has been a great experience and to see them get listed at the Social Stock Exchange is very gratifying. MLT’s use of art and technology to raise awareness to prevent child sex trafficking is unique. MLT's curriculum is now getting wider acknowledgement and someday the same will be included as part of education of every child. SVP India has a strong commitment to create awareness amongst children about "Abuse and Harassment". With the listing, I hope that more people will become aware about the cause,” said Neeraj Sanghi, Lead Partner, SVP India.
