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 11 April 2015

April Team Update Nepal 10th APRIL

Friday is rest day and after this week it was a welcome break. The team took time to wander the Stupa and search for souvenirs and trinkets. Boudha road shops have been packed in the lead up to next weeks new year celebrations. People buying and selling livestock for party meals, helium balloons, decorations and masses of religious figurines. The Stupa is also having a fresh coat of gold paint on its highest points.

Brooke checking out some jewellery.

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Gordon ordered a traditional Nepali mens outfit from a nearby tailor earlier and today it was ready. Here he is doing a quick catwalk for the team. It looks amazing on and we thank Netra for his expertise in the finer points of correctly tying it all together. We did wonder how it would look as in all seriousness two people could easily fit into the pants prior to Netra's nifty nip n tuck.

Nepali Gordon

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Ruth and Vivienne have had another great week of training. The TESOL programs are a vital and ongoing part of the preparation for our seniors wishing to study in Indonesia. While Vivienne's work with the school leadership is seeing many new concepts in planning, strategies and logistics becoming a part of daily school life. All these improve our staff and the delivery of an excellent Christian education to our students in Nepal.

Ruth and her class.

The leaders and Vivienne.

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Each day a massive amount of thought, preparation and effort goes into feeding the team. This job intensifies as the group swells in number. We have been blessed with wonderful meals and an efficient and easy system of clean up and we ALL wish to say a HUGE thank you to our amazing chefs. DahnyaBaht Lyn and Gloria.
Another epic meal, thanks ladies.

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"How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news..." comes to mind, but then these are some unsightly and grubby specimens. Trekking the dusty lane ways in and around NayaBasti leaves your feet less than beautiful. Yuk!
Nasty...

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Too cute not to photograph. School holiday games.

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Saturday is church day and Gordon and Poppy have been invited by Pastor Raju to speak in two of the HCM satellite churches. We will start early in the morning with a two hour bus trip through some gorgeous country side on the main road to China. We will split into two groups to visit the churches before we rejoin to inspect the work going on at the new training centre. Then on to Miracle Cafe for lunch on the way home. Post some photos next time.

The sun setting on another week through the dry season dust.

Till next time.  
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