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.

Thursday 31 March 2016

Privileges



Good morning from Nepal,

It seems like my body clock likes to be awake Aussie time, not so sure I like it Nepali time... 3.30am! Blahhh.

An update;

It has been steadily busy, getting half of our sponsorships updated so far. We were able to do a lot at school before the students started their final year exam preparations and then exams.

Wednesday we enjoyed our half way house girls visit to update their photos. We made sure plenty of the time was given to building relationships, laughing playing simple games. Loving on these special ladies is such a privilege.

The sounds of horns beeping, dogs barking, traffic in a chaotic fashion never ceases to amaze me. Beggars and the shear filth people live in daily breaks my heart.

It is such an honour to serve God and to be involved in giving women, children and people who are loved by Jesus just like you and me a second chance at life.

Thank you for all the prayers much love Glor xxx



We count each day a wonderful privilege here in this nation. The privileges our home land offers stand in stark contrast to many of the daily challenges the people in this nation deal with.
Fresh water, housing, commuting, quiet, order, work, the list goes on and yet all of those things pale into insignificance when lined up with what God is doing amongst the peoples of Nepal. Today we relished the privilege to spend time with a group of rescued women.
Rescued from unspeakable horrors imposed on them, freed to a new life, redeemed as they each met God and now living life large and in charge. Their smiles tell stories of miracles, healing and unconditional love. Such a privilege to be with them again. 


The team are well and each enjoying the roles assigned while here. We have been progressing the sponsorship updates and taking new photos that show off many new hair do's, growth and accomplishments. 

Mackay have a school group in western Nepal busily assisting there. They are a great group of young people who launched into their time here from the moment they touched down.

There have been many changes here. Not the least from the natural disasters but also changes in the ways programs are offered. A new regime of principals to ensure safety and protection for both the children and those visiting has been implemented. The inevitable teething time has called for patience as we negotiate the new approaches. These changes will result in continued positive experiences for all involved.

Grahame, Robyn and Agnes arrive soon from Myanmar to continue work at a new school venture in Hetauda. 
Hetauda is an important sub metropolitan area in the south and is in close proximity to the Chepang peoples. The new school venture, hostels, water purification plants etc are critical steps for this region and the people we connect with there.  

Until next time, thank you for your prayers, greetings from Nepal. 


Monday 28 March 2016

Some more of our time so far, TtN in Nepal 2016

We have had a wonderful time in Nepal to date.
A busy schedule has kept all team members active as we criss cross Kathmandu and surrounds visiting hostels, schools, the new Ag Centre, churches and homes.

The MCC team have arrived and immediately set off to explore Thamel, the Monkey Temple and Boudha road. These guys are heading west to serve by painting, teacher training and some bicycle skills and safety programs.


Recently we had the opportunity to visit the Ag. Centre.
Here we saw the fields full of new potatoes with rerouted drainage ready for the coming wet season.
Part of the bamboo processing water wash system needed to be set on blocks to allow it to be prepared for use after the wet season. The boys assisted greatly in this heavy lift project. Thanks guys.

 

This is one of the potatoe fields.


The hostel boys helping us position the tank.


Gloria found the tractor.

The earthquakes have left so much devastation and displaced many people. We visited one of the camps set up to house and cater for these poor folk.
"Camp Hope" presented an opportunity to give sweets to the children. Lollies are a great way to open up conversations with the kids first.

Camp Hope 

 Lolly please Papa

Greetings


A cricket set bought great excitement to the Tibetan boys staying at the Guesthouse.
These shots let you see a glimpse of the fun they had pretending to be a part of the ICC T20 World Cup! 





On Saturday we had the privilege of sharing in the HCM church in Bhaktapur. This is a lovely small church with wonderful passionate Christian group serving their community.  


 One of the senior ladies who came over to welcome us. 

 Glor and some of the ladies after church.

 Touched by Gloria's message.

Sameer translating in the Bhatapur church. 

 The earthquake damage in this part of the nation is catastrophic.

Nepali electrical work is unique.



I often tell people that Nepal is my second home. This place tugs at my heart strings every time I pass through Kathmandu airport and enter this crazy, vibrant and chaotic city. I have spent time in my usual favourite places and visited my many friends. My main reason for being here is to visit the girls that we sponsor. It is truly an honour to be able to be a part of these girls lives and to see them excelling in school and career training but more importantly to see their spiritual growth from one visit to the next. 
Today I spent time visiting the exporter we work with and enjoyed the amazing ginger tea his wife always makes for us. I then spent time working with a local Christian tailor who we have making some merchandise for us to offer for sale in Australia. It is incredible to be able to build these relationships and to know that we are helping to make a difference in their lives. Lyn C.


Saturday 19 March 2016

Back in action

After the tragedy of earthquakes and the frustrations of border blockades TtN team visits have resumed. It is a wonderful privilege to be back in Nepal with the people that we love so much.
Pastor Raju has extended a warm welcome and is looking after us extremely well, thank you Raju.

It is dry season and that means dust, and more dust. Dust on top of dust. It hangs in the air making noses dry, throats itchy and clothes dirty. The surrounding mountains are very close but we are unable to see them most days.


Life in Nepal is returning slowly to its 'normal' state, traffic though hectic is well down which makes getting around much quicker. Distances to locations suddenly seem miniscule.


Vendors take up residence in different positions, new buildings continue to sprout making navigating tricky as landmarks are no longer in plain site. Even though trade is hard with tourist numbers well down the people are again vibrant and happy for the most part. You do sense that their fear of further tremors is not far below their surface confidence.



Reacquainting ourselves with friends from past team visits has been enjoyable. Wandering through the streets even some of the beggar folk have greeted us with "Welcome back, long time no see..." perhaps they say that to all the tourists? Although some of them we have had plenty of interaction with.


We have team members here to train and others assisting in various aspects. For Gloria and I, our main role is to update all of the sponsorships for our valued partners. 
Interviews to glean information and current photos of these precious lives shows significant growth both physically and in confidence. The level of english is impressive for kids with limited opportunity to practice. Some of the girls have even read their letter from their sponsor back to us perfectly!

A massive thank you to all of the Nepali team members assisting, the school admin and staff, bus and car drivers, translators, your help is invaluable. 


Until next blog.




All school principals should pose for their photos like Lalimar!

 Traditional dress. 


Weighing the produce to determine its price.


Fresh fruit and veges to the door each afternoon.