Rehabilitate rescued child slaves in Nepal

Dear Global Giver,

It’s been a while since we last provided you with an update, and much has happened in Nepal. There have been ups and downs, but through it all, Hamro Ghar remains a consistent, stable, and safe place for the children GoodWeave has rescued. It’s because of you that we are able to continue this work, and together we can ensure these children receive the education, counseling, and care that they need in the months to come.

Since September, we’ve faced challenges related to a long-lasting blockade at the India-Nepal border. This blockade, the result of a complex political crisis, caused a shortage of fuel, medicine, and other essential supplies. The Hamro Ghar staff and children have been incredibly persistent throughout this period, dealing with things like electricity outages and lack of cooking fuel. With your support, we are now working to purchase and install a solar power system that will provide a sustainable and dependable source of energy for Hamro Ghar and ensure that the children can continue to live and learn safely.

In January, we celebrated a “Common Birthday” for all of the Hamro Ghar kids – a day of fun complete with cake, streamers, gifts and dance. Most of these children don’t know their birthdays, so each January 1^st, we throw a party and celebrate new beginnings. The children received gifts, played party games, and blew out candles on a huge cake. If you’ve ever been to a children’s birthday party, you might be able to imagine the joyful sounds of 49 children celebrating together!

That’s right: Hamro Ghar is now providing a safe, nurturing home for 49 former child laborers. I wish you could meet each of them and hear their stories. For now, I’ll share about just one with you:

When GoodWeave inspectors first encountered Maichyang, 12, she was working 17 hours a day in a Kathmandu carpet factory. Born into a very poor family in Sindhuli district, southeast of Kathmandu, she was one of seven children and her parents were farmers. Like her elder siblings before her, she was forced to go to work in the looms at a young age in order to pay off her parents’ debt, and never got the chance to go to school.  While working in the factory, Maichyang was scolded if she made a mistake and endured head and stomachaches without any medical care.

Since GoodWeave’s inspection team found Maichyang and brought her to Hamro Ghar in early July, she’s experienced education for the first time. She is eager to learn and loves to dance – and because of GoodWeave, she has a chance at a real childhood.

In February, GoodWeave inspectors rescued the 9^th child of 2016 and brought her to Hamro Ghar. Since last spring’s earthquakes, our team has observed an increase in child labor cases in comparison to past years, with nearly 40 children rescued from factories between May and February. The combination of crises- both the earthquakes and the blockade – has plunged an estimated 800,000 people into extreme poverty, and put children at even further risk of exploitation. We remain concerned about the increased level of vulnerability for many Nepali children, and with your help, we can continue to find, rescue, rehabilitate, and educate those who are forced to work on the looms.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for making sure that many more vulnerable children like Maichyang can experience freedom in 2016.

Gratefully,

Nina