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.

Sunday 26 January 2014

Saturday - Mountains, statues and church

Today, being Saturday, is church day here.  The team were heading out for Dologhat, to a little village church, two and a half hours drive away.  It was pretty cold but very sunny and the day warmed up as it went along.  What a magnificent drive.  For much of the way, the glorious Himalayan mountain range gleamed in the sun.  Pure white peaks declaring the glory of God's handiwork.  About half way, there is an enormous statue, 143ft. high, of Shiva, the god of war , or the Destroyer, as he is called.  He broods over the Kathmandu valley.  These gods have hideous faces and hold their worshippers in fear.  How marvellous to follow the One who made those wonderful mountains, and  set  us free from fear.  We arrived at the little church up in the loft above a little shop.  Simple country people, who love the Lord, so thankful to know "The God" who sets them free.  They had all the windows open and everyone was breathing "fog" so it was nice to get out into the sunshine later.  Grahame finalised the deal on the land, near the church, where we plan to set up a training centre, church, school, conference and camping centre.  Grahame goes out on Wednesday to supervise the first work of pushing dirt, to prepare a flat place to begin the first stage.  The land is on a beautiful river that winds through the mountains.  Please pray for Leann, as she is still not well.  Yesterday, I began interviewing the first of 23 new girls, and tomorrow, I need to finish the job.  We have an American couple staying with us for a couple of days, then Leann and Ian leave on Thursday and we fly out late on Friday.   The girls at the hostel absolutely love the song "From the River" and want to learn it.  They want it playing while we are making dolls also.

Robyn

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