An Evening of Enlightenment and Inspiration with Harold D’souza

Press Release: An Evening of Enlightenment and Inspiration with Harold D’Souza, President of Eyes Open International

A report by:- By Darsheel Sanghavi and Daxay Sanghavi

In the realm of battling modern-day slavery, our journey with Eyes Open International (EOI) began in October 2020. Since then, we’ve become integral members of this noble cause, dedicated to ending human trafficking and labor exploitation.

Eager to meet Harold D’Souza, the driving force behind EOI, we reached out to him expressing the desire to meet him during his visit to India. The rendezvous took place at an EOI Ambassador’s Neelam Sharma house in Mumbai, where we experienced an evening filled with positivity, joy, and warmth. Over snacks and tea, we forged connections with the EOI President, an ambassador, and her family.

Harold D’Souza’s story is nothing short of extraordinary. A survivor of labor trafficking and debt bondage in the USA, he founded EOI with the mission to end modern-day slavery. From humble beginnings in Gujarat to becoming an advisory board member appointed by Presidents Obama and Trump, Harold’s journey is a testament to resilience and triumph over adversity.

Our discussions spanned various topics, from the significance of America, in saving lives to the importance of understanding the downsides of illegal immigration. Harold shared insights into his life as a modest salesman in Gujarat, emphasizing his father’s teachings and the mantra that “when you have nothing to lose, you always end up winning in life because that’s the only option.” These words sparked a renewed motivation in both of us.

Amidst shared laughter and joy, we found a kindred spirit in Richie Sharma, the son of Neelam Sharma. Conversations delved into grappling with corporate politics, where Harold’s advice on humility and trust in the workplace resonated deeply. His anecdotes about American executives going from a Mercedes to walking home after being fired highlighted the importance of humility.

A notable mention during our evening was the upcoming conference, “Triumph over Trafficking,” hosted by EOI on May 2nd 2024. This event promises to shed light on the ongoing fight against trafficking and promises to be an eye-opener. The RSVP link to register for the event physically/virtually is here:

“https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeBXomcewykSv2o_FDG6HXKfM9vMmo9rRuwdVuOmYvin0Yogw/viewform”

To seek guidance from those who have experienced life more than us was enchanting. The warmth we felt during the evening was reciprocated, and our admiration for Harold D’Souza can be encapsulated in these words: “He is an Icon. The world shall know about it soon : )”

In the mosaic of life, moments like these stand out as beacons of inspiration. Harold D’Souza’s journey and wisdom have not only enriched our perspective on the fight against human trafficking but have instilled in us a renewed sense of purpose. As we continue our journey with Eyes Open International, we carry the torch of hope ignited during that memorable evening. In the words of Harold himself, “When you have nothing to lose, you always end up winning in life because that’s the only option.”

Authors’ Description: Darsheel and Daxay are students of Computer Engineering at DJ Sanghvi College of Engineering in Mumbai and passionate advocates for social justice, dedicated members of Eyes Open International, and storytellers on a mission to inspire positive change through their words.