Empower Nepali Survivors of Human Trafficking

Dear Friend,

SASANE is excited to share news with you about the progress of our Paralegal Program!  All 32 paralegal trainees are currently working at 20 police stations across Kathmandu Valley. On February 19^th, the trainees took the official government Paralegal Exam. The women will receive the results of their examinations in the next four to eight weeks. Once the women receive the results, those that pass can begin earning money for every police report they file.

The police at every police station have given exceptional feedback on the work of the paralegal trainees. The women are working diligently to assist victims, giving special preference to victims of gender-based crimes.

Last week, I visited Sasmita (Name changed) at Krishnagar Police Station (location name changed), a 16-year-old highly at-risk girl who is a SASANE paralegal trainee and part of our SASANE family. Sasmita’s father abandoned her family two years ago, leaving Sasmita, her 14-year-old sister and mother in financial and emotional despair. Her mother is now working 15 hours a day as a dishwasher. Sasmita had to quit high school due to financial insecurity, but is now working hard as a paralegal. Once she gets the results from the paralegal exam (which she will undoubtedly pass), she can begin earning money and complete high school. “I want to make my family proud, and show my dad that I can support my family better than he could,” she told me while we sat together at the police station.

For Sasmita and the other 31 paralegal trainees, the long wait until they can start earning money is a difficult period. In order to get critical hands on training and earn the trust of community members, they must work diligently at their police posts. But until they receive official certification, they can’t accept fees. All the women come from marginalized backgrounds, and need your support in order to make it through the next few months.

For only $50 a month, you can provide a stipend for a paralegal trainee to address her financial insecurity until she receives her certification.

For only $500, you can send a girl like Sasmita to an entire semester of school.

A little goes a long way for the women and girls that are part of our SASANE family.

Thank you for your support! Look out for more updates in the weeks to come!

                                                                                                With Gratitude,

                                                                                                Alexandra Robinson

                                                                                                Senior Program Director