A fund to rescue children from slavery in Nepal

A few weeks ago, our team rescued eight boys from child labour in the Godawari area of Lalitpur – one of our most significant rescue operations in recent years.

How it happened

Godawari is a busy commercial hub on the southern edge of Kathmandu. Over recent months, our team carried out five observation visits across two wards, documenting what they found and running community awareness campaigns – pamphlet distribution and local announcements – that had already begun to reduce the number of children working in the area. In March, we submitted a formal report to the Municipality and coordinated with authorities until the rescue could take place.

When our team arrived, they had six boys on their list. They found two more.

We don't ever leave a child behind. All eight are now safe.

Who we found and where

Construction site (one child) A twelve-year-old boy had been working on a local construction site – heavy physical labour no child should face.

Fish shop (one child) A boy of thirteen had been working in a fish shop, far from his family and his schooling.

Motorcycle workshop (one child) Another teenager had been working in a workshop, exposed to the hazards of tools and machinery.

Botanical gardens (two children) Two boys had been keeping horses at the botanical gardens for over two years – outdoor work that kept them far from any classroom.

Sculpture workshop (two children) Two boys were found at a sculpture workshop – not on our original list, but rescued all the same.

Where they are now

All eight boys – the youngest just twelve years old – are now at our transit home, receiving medical care, counselling, clean clothes, hygiene supplies and proper meals. They come from across Nepal; two are from India. On their first evening, they watched a Bollywood comedy together.

Our team is working to make contact with their families and to assess the safest next steps for each child individually. For those whose families can provide a safe environment, reunification plans are being developed. For those who cannot safely return home, we will provide longer-term care and support.

Your impact

This rescue happened because of your generous support. These boys were working in workshops, on construction sites and in hospitality when they should have been in classrooms. They are now safe, fed and cared for – and they have a chance at childhood, at education, at futures free from exploitation.

Thank you for making this possible. Your support doesn't just fund rescues – it saves and transforms lives.

OUR LARGEST RESCUE IN YEARS BRINGS FRESH HOPE  

A few weeks ago, on 12th November, we conducted our most significant rescue operation in recent years, working alongside the Women and Child Department of Godawari Municipality, Nepal Police and local authorities.

Seventeen children – 14 boys and three girls aged between ten and 17 – were found working in dangerous conditions across multiple locations.


Motorbike and motor workshops (six children)

In four separate workshops, we found five children, the youngest just ten years old. They were covered in black engine oil, working with hazardous tools to repair bikes, cars and trucks. Their living conditions were equally grim – sharing cramped corrugated rooms with adult workers, with no space for personal belongings. The children appeared dirty and wore inadequate clothing.

Roadside restaurants (three girls)

Three minor girls, aged between 14 and 17, were working in small restaurants near the local bus park. Two had travelled all the way from far west Nepal, while one came from Makwanpur. They had come to Kathmandu seeking work, initially as dishwashers but now working in the kitchens. These vulnerable young women were working in an unsafe area, close to motor workshops and busy transport hubs.

Water bottling factory (three children)

Three Indian boys – one aged 12 and two aged 17 – had been brought to Nepal for three years of bonded labour to dig underground and work for a water extraction company. Having arrived only weeks earlier, they had been forced to build their own bamboo shelter before beginning work. Their hands were visibly dry, cut and bruised from the harsh manual labour.

Metal statue factories (three children)

In the statue-making area of Thecho, we rescued three boys aged 16 and 17 working in extremely hazardous conditions. They worked in the same position for hours in overcrowded rooms with more than ten workers. The heavy metal statues they were required to lift and handle, combined with their exposure to toxic chemicals used for polishing, posed serious risks to their safety and health.

Additional rescues

A 12-year-old boy was found working as a helper on a local microbus. He had left his Grade 5 classes after difficulties at home and school, but he has already revealed himself to be a bright child who dreams of becoming a pilot.

A 15-year-old was discovered in a furniture shop, his hands stained with glue and showing clear signs of hard labour, despite claims from his employer that he was merely visiting.

Where they are now

All rescued children are at our safe house, where they are receiving medical care, counselling, clean clothes, hygiene supplies and proper meals. A tutor is keeping them engaged throughout the day, while our staff provide care, emotional support and monitoring to ensure all children feel safe and comfortable. The children are slowly beginning to trust our team – playing games together, making friends and starting to share their stories.

For those whose families can provide a safe environment, reunification plans are being developed. The three Indian children's details are being shared with State Child Welfare Committees in India to help locate their families. We will offer longer term care for children who cannot go home safely. 

Your impact

This rescue operation – the largest we've conducted in years – was only possible because of your generous support. The work is dangerous and complex, requiring coordination with multiple agencies and immediate resources to provide emergency care. But it is also profoundly life-changing.

These seventeen children now have a chance at childhood, at education, at futures free from exploitation. Thank you for making this possible. Your support doesn't just fund rescues – it saves and transforms lives.

Thank you for making rescues like this possible.

With gratitude