Sanved dancers from Christian Aid partner Sanlaap perform at the House of Commons. The creative language of dance is used as a form of therapy, advocacy, and artistic expression and highlights the issue of women and child exploitation in India. photo: Christian Aid/Judith Escribano
''The dance therapy encourages the children to attempt to help heal their mental scars.'

Christian Aid partner, Sanlaap, was founded in 1987 in Calcutta by a group of activists working for the rights of women and children caught up in the frightening world of human trafficking and torture, and for those living with HIV/AIDS.

The word Sanlaap is Hindi for 'dialogue' and its project Sanved, uses dance as a platform for artists and activists to protest against the issues of women and child exploitation and the stigma of AIDS.

The choreographer, Sohini Chakraborty, is a sociologist and dance activist and founder Director of Sanved. She explains, 'the dance therapy encourages the children to attempt to help heal their mental scars. Indian society is basically male-dominated and it has been evident that women suffer from a general sense of insecurity.

'We try to find the reasons for this lack of self-confidence, mental fatigue and enable the girls to overcome their personal traumas and regain their self-confidence'.

Laxmi regained her confidence with Sanved. 'For me dance heals my heart. I never imagined that I would perform or teach dance, but now when I perform I gain a sense of unexplainable joy.' Laxmi joined Sanlaap in 1988 and is now a trainer and dance instructor. She has also learned the ancient tradition of block-printing and "batik", the art of decorating cloth using wax and dye.

Sudesna, also part of the project, says 'I gain a sense of freedom through dance. I love how I can express the unspoken through movement.'

Members of Sanved visited the UK in May 2004 to promote friendship and to highlight the serious problem of HIV/AIDS in India. The visit formed part of a Commonwealth Youth Exchange programme with Christian Aid Wales in conjunction with the National League of Youth (URDD). One of the visitors is living with HIV/AIDS and bravely shared her story with UK audiences to highlight the plight of those who have suffered sexual violence and exploitation.

The dancers performed at a special House of Commons event hosted by Caernarfon MP, Hywel Williams to mark Christian Aid week. It was the first time creative dancing has been allowed in the Palace of Westminster and everyone was deeply moved by the occasion.