Desperate Girls

The Badi Girls

Between 7,000 and 12,000 young girls, aged 9-16, are trafficked each year from Nepal; mainly to India. According to Nepal Monitor/On line journal, 2007, there are more than 200,000 Nepali girls in Indian brothels.

The Dalits(untouchables) are the lowest level in Hindu society, and the Badi community, in Western Nepal, are the lowest of the low. As a displaced hungry people group the Badi community has made sexual subservience a way of life. Young girls from this group “serve” other groups. This has become a tradition and means of livelihood. Many girls, even when they are unwilling, are forced to serve as sex slaves. Family members knowingly sell their daughters to traffickers.

Though prostitution is illegal in Nepal, the industry reportedly has links with highly ranked officials and political leaders. Large groups of girls are taken across the border with many police and government officials being in collusion with traffickers and brothel owners.

Traffickers and related criminals are often protected by political parties, and if arrested, are freed using political power. As a result, there is an underlying distrust of police that has led people not to file cases against traffickers.

Domestic action involves activities of NGO’s and other volunteer groups. These groups are playing a major role to address girl-trafficking and sex slaves issues. Some NGO’s are playing a very important role to improve the situation. From creating social awareness to rescuing and rehabilitation, they are providing services (and relief) to those that need it the most – the likely victims as well as the rescued ones. The Lighthouse foundation is one of these.

*See Chandra Kala’s story on this blog site.

Saturday 21 April 2012

Homeward bound

It is Saturday afternoon.  We went to church this morning to say goodbye to our sponsor girls.  It is always sad. We will be back in 5 months, but to them it probably seems a long time.  Then we called into the Tusal hostel to say our goodbyes there.  There was no interpreter, so there was a lot of smiling and awkward attempts at conversation.  But love was in the air, and that is the main thing.    Sameer, the young man who is coming in the middle of the year to do a year at Crossways at Mueller, was our interpreter during the training.  He is absolutely brilliant.  He doesn't only translate words, but he gets every emphasis, every gesture.  He is a fine young man.  Also, Ratchina, Raju's PA, did some interpreting also.  She is a lovely gentle young woman.   Well, we head off tomorrow about lunch time.  We are not looking forward to 14 hours in the plane, plus stopover.By the end of 5 weeks we are feeling pretty weary.  There have been many highs, and many moments  when we were ready to pack up and go home. There is frustration, irritation, joy, moments we will never forget.  I guess it is a bit like labour;  it has it moments, but when it is all over only the great events, the precious people, and the joy remain.  Nepal gets under your skin.  Once you meet these people, see how God is working in the most amazing way, life is never the same again.  I guess most of you will see Grahame and Raju over the next month as they tour around.  If you haven't met Raju, it is worth the effort to meet him.  He is an incredible man, giving his whole being for his people.

Bye for now,

Robyn
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