Name: Sindhura Sarikonda
Age: 26
Job Title and Description: Founder and President of Sanlaap North America (SNA)
College/Major: NYU/Finance and Management
Website: www.SanlaapNA.org
Twitter Handle: @SanlaapNA
What does your current job entail? Is there such a thing as a typical day?
Sindhura Sarikonda: I run a nonprofit [organization] that rescues, shelters and educates young girls who were trafficked. We have a shelter and vocational training school in India, and we’ve helped over 100 girls so far. I also work as a Management Consultant in New York.
My day for SNA starts after work, and there is nothing typical about it. One day I’m working with a school in India to create our training curriculum, and the next day I’m learning code for a new feature on our website. We’re fairly new and rapidly growing, so everyone on my team wears a lot of hats. Sometimes [wearing] many hats is the best part, but sometimes it means you have learn how to code.
What is the best part of your job?
SS: Hands down, it would have to be visiting our shelter in India. Not long ago, our girls were victims of sex trafficking and experienced one of the worst human rights travesties of our time. Seeing those same girls being happy, healthy and knowing that they’ll have an education and a bright future ahead of them is incredible. Just seeing their smiles makes all the effort more than worthwhile.
Why did you decide to create SNA?
SS: I watched a documentary [called] “The Day My God Died” when I was in college. It featured a heartbreaking account of a seven year-old girl who was trafficked—that story moved me like nothing else had. Something in me changed and I knew that day that I had to do something – I couldn’t live in a world where millions of young girls were being exploited in this way. Soon after, I started SNA.
What is one thing you wish you knew about your industry when you first started out that you know now?
SS: The nonprofit sector is different than any other industry. In any other industry, you wouldn’t email your competitor and ask for advice. In this case, if there is an organization doing the same thing as you, they are a partner [instead of] a competitor. You can and should speak to them when you need help.
Who is one person who changed your professional life for the better?
SS: It isn’t one person, but rather my whole team. [SNA is] a volunteer run organization, so we all have full-time jobs apart from our SNA work. That means a lot of long nights and working most weekends – it’s exhausting and it would be impossible if we didn’t have the right people. I’m lucky enough to have a team that not only works hard, but is an absolute blast to be around.
What words of wisdom do you find most valuable?
SS: “The ones who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.” – Steve Jobs
Where do you see yourself (and SNA) in 10 years?
SS: In 10 years, I hope there is no need for an organization like ours. I believe we’re on the precipice of substantial, worldwide change for human trafficking. We’re not quite there yet, but the voices against trafficking are growing louder every day and it’s only a matter of time until governments across the world are forced to take real action against trafficking. Awareness is our greatest battle, but it’s one we’re going to win. So that’s the hope – that we don’t need to exist.
What advice would you give to a 20-something with similar aspirations?
SS: If you can’t find a path that fits, create your own path. I’ve met a lot of people who are passionate about giving back but believe that they can’t make a difference unless they sacrifice everything else in their life. You don’t have to move to Rwanda and live in a tent to make a difference. Find a cause that speaks to you and dedicate yourself to it in a way that works for you. I promise you, it will change your life as much as the lives you change.