Education Nepal Project #19048

Rehabilitate rescued child slaves in Nepal

by GoodWeave International

Project Report | Aug 27, 2015
Sumitra's Journey Back to School

By Nina Smith | Executive Director

Sumitra, 11, studies in class at Hamro Ghar.

Dear GlobalGivers,

Here in the United States, it’s nearly time for a new school year to begin. Parents and children are busy shopping for school supplies, organizing carpools, and meeting new teachers. It’s an exciting time – full of anticipation, sharpened pencils and sometimes a few tears.

Going back to school looks different around the world, and in Nepal, the new year began a few months ago. But for the children who fill the classrooms at Hamro Ghar, every school day is a chance at a brighter future. Every child who sits at a desk once sat at a carpet loom, including Sumitra.

When Sumitra was a young girl, she attended school in the rural village where she lived with her parents, sister and brother. However, after her family moved to Kathmandu in search of employment opportunities, her parents faced financial crisis and could no longer afford to pay her school fees. She was forced to drop out of school and work weaving carpets in a factory.

In January, Sumitra was found in the factory by a GoodWeave inspector. He brought her to Hamro Ghar, where she is currently receiving support to continue her education. She dreams of one day becoming a nurse.

I met Sumitra during my recent visit to Nepal, and was struck by her confidence and bright smile. Although she is one of the smallest students at Hamro Ghar, her commitment to learning and curious nature make her a leader among her peers. And it’s because of you that today she sits in a classroom, pencil in hand, instead of in a carpet factory.

The recent earthquake in Nepal has made many children and families more vulnerable. To us, the aftermath of the disaster has underscored the urgent importance of GoodWeave’s work to ensure that children are protected from child labor and trafficking and receive educational opportunities. With your continued support, we can help many more children like Sumitra get “back to school.”

On behalf of Sumitra and all of the children of Hamro Ghar, thank you.

Gratefully,

Nina

Sumitra and a friend enjoy lunch at Hamro Ghar.

Meditation is a daily part of Sumitra's schedule.

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May 28, 2015
You Have Helped To Keep These Children Safe

By Nina Smith | Executive Director

The children who call Hamro Ghar home

Dear GlobalGivers,

As you will surely know by now, Nepal was rocked by a massive earthquake on April 25, killing more than 8,000 people, injuring more than 23,000, and destroying hundreds of thousands of homes. Aftershocks, some almost as severe as the first quake, have continued to make buildings unsafe and disrupt lives in and around the Kathmandu valley.

GoodWeave’s Hamro Ghar was not spared, although I am so happy to tell you that none of the children living there were harmed. The building, however, has been seriously compromised with cracks in the walls and a broken water filtration system and power generator. We have set up a safe place for the children at the ground level, and are taking very special care of them, while also attempting to track down the whereabouts and circumstances of their families.

GoodWeave staff are working tirelessly, even in the face of their own personal losses, to ensure that all of our Hamro Ghar residents are well cared for and that they are continuing with their schooling and other activities. It is so important to ensure that they have a sense of normalcy and stability during this time.

Thanks to you, GoodWeave is able to provide this safe space for rescued children to thrive – a place that is more vital now than ever before. In the aftermath of disasters such as this one, an increase in exploitation and trafficking puts children at greater risk. While GoodWeave is working to prevent more children from being pulled into the cycle of child labor, because of your support, Hamro Ghar can continue to provide a safe and nurturing place for any children who are rescued – children like Sujan.

Sujan was discovered working in a carpet factory by GoodWeave inspectors in March. At only 11 years old, he already had a long history of work, having spent several years as a waiter and dishwasher in a hotel before being brought to a carpet factory by a hotel customer. Sujan used to go to school, but when his father was killed by his uncle over a money dispute, he dropped out and went to work to help his mother and three siblings make enough to survive. At the carpet factory, he was made to work from 4 am until 8 pm every day, enduring harsh conditions and verbal abuse from his employer.

Now, at Hamro Ghar, Sujan has been able to return to his schooling. He is happy to be there, and is learning to read and write. Thanks to you, Sujan is able to be a child again.

As Nepal begins to recover and rebuild following the earthquake, GoodWeave will continue to help children like Sujan to have a safe place to call home – a place to learn, and play, and grow.

Thank you for helping children like Sujan to have a chance for a happy future!

With gratitude,

Nina

Sujan, Age 11

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Feb 27, 2015
Kumari's Story- and an Important Update

By Nina Smith | Executive Director

Kumari, age 10

Dear GlobalGiver,

If you were to visit Hamro Ghar today, you might lock eyes with 10-year-old Kumari.

Born in a small village with four siblings, Kumari’s family moved to the city where her father found work in construction. Her life changed dramatically when her father was imprisoned. She doesn’t know why he was arrested – only that it forced her mother to borrow money, creating a debt that Kumari’s work in a carpet factory was meant to clear. After dropping out of school, Kumari begin working from 4am to 9pm. She sometimes suffered from headaches, a common side effect from working in dusty and dimly-lit spaces.

GoodWeave found Kumari during a routine inspection on June 17^th and she has been living and learning at Hamro Ghar ever since. While shy at first, her smile – when it comes – really does light up a room. Her teachers describe her as an outgoing, intelligent child with a positive attitude and an eagerness to study. She loves to sing, and hopes to one day become a doctor to serve those in need.

When I met Kumari during a visit to Hamro Ghar in the fall, I had the privilege of meeting her and seeing how far she has come since the day she was found in the factory. It’s because of your support that Kumari now has a safe space to heal, play, and learn – and dream about the future. Thank you!

There’s one more update that I’d like to share. As GoodWeave’s expertise has grown, we have begun to expand our model into new sectors. One of these new initiatives, Better Brick Nepal, involves Nepal’s brick industry, in which children comprise an estimated one-third of the workforce. When unaccompanied children are found in and removed from the brick kilns that participate in Better Brick Nepal, they too will need a safe place to call home along the path to rehabilitation. We are grateful that Hamro Ghar can provide the support these children will need alongside those rescued from carpet looms. Your continuing support will help us to ensure that Hamro Ghar’s staff has the capacity to support the wide variety of needs of these children.

Thanks again for all you do to help children like Kumari have a brighter, more hopeful future!

With gratitude,

Nina

Child making bricks. (Copyright U. Roberto Romano)

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