By Nina Smith | Chief Executive Officer
Dear Global Giver,
Perhaps there is no better place to celebrate World Day Against Child Labor than at Hamro Ghar. June 12th is celebrated like a holiday among the rescued child laborers who have lived through the emotional and physical trauma that statistics cannot capture. Thanks to supporters like you, they also know the excitement of returning to school and pursuing a future full of hope and promise.
To commemorate this important day this year, the children at Hamro Ghar performed dramas, advocated with policy makers, and participated in a “walkathon” to raise awareness of child labor and push for improved strategies to keep children in school rather than working on carpet looms and brick kilns. In fact, two GoodWeave-supported children joined a delegation that met with Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli to share their experience and encourage greater government commitment to ending child labor.
Next year, GoodWeave hopes to celebrate World Day Against Child Labor by completing its fundraising campaign to rebuild and expand Hamro Ghar that will be able to serve vastly more child laborers as they reclaim their childhoods and their rights. The groundbreaking would take place shortly thereafter. We are working hard to raise the funds to reach our goal, but in the meantime, we thought you might be interested in meeting Sarina, a recent arrival at Hamro Ghar. Now 12 years old, Sarina was forced to quit school after third grade and work in a carpet factory to pay off her parents’ debt. At the carpet factory her days were filled with taunts, beatings and work – 16 hours of work every day. She was found weaving carpets by a GoodWeave inspector and brought to Hamro Ghar where counseling and psychological care are helping her move past her abuse. GoodWeave staff share, “Sarina had a very hard time at the factory … Now, she likes to play and dance. She aims to be a dance teacher in the future.” With new-found stability, support and education, Sarina has a bright future ahead of her.
Gratefully,
Nina
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