A fund to rescue children from slavery in Nepal

At the very end of last year, in November and December, we undertook two rescues; we rescued four children from a restaurant and two children from a helium balloon factory. 

Preparation

Prior to these latest rescues, we conducted field visits to observe and identify where there were children in vulnerable situations. We visited restaurants, embroidery factories, metal factories and a balloon factory to see whether the children were being exploited as child slaves. The team found young children working in local restaurants who were clearly under 15. The area under observation was Lalitpur Metropolitan city of ward 12 and 13 (Pulchowk, Lagankhel and Mangalbazar) where the team observed 8-10 children working as labour in restaurants in vulnerable situations.

We wrote a report for the District Child Welfare Board (DCWB), Lalitpur requesting that we rescue these children quickly. We confirmed that we were able to provide the necessary report for the transition, care and family reintegration of rescued children. In co-ordination with government and non-government organisations, DCWB and Lalitpur Metropolitan city planned to monitor the restaurants that we had observed.

The Rescues

During the monitoring visit to the restaurants, they confirmed that there were children working in vulnerable conditions. The monitoring team decided to immediately rescue the children as they were under 14 years old. They decided that the priority was four boys from restaurants, and this rescue happened at the end of November.

At the end of December we were called to rescue two very young boys who were working in a balloon factory.

The rescued children were taken to the local Police station at Mangalbazar and Lagankhel, Lalitpur for short period of time to gather some basic information. After fulfilling the required process at local police station, the children were taken to Jawlakhel Metropolitan Police Station at the Women and Children Service Center (WCSC), Laliptur. The WCSC, Lalitpur prepared a brief report about rescued children and formally requested that our partner, the Esther Benjamins Memorial Foundation, provide temporary care and protection for the rescued boys.

Activities undertaken after the rescues:

• Completed records for each child
• Conducted health checks and gave essential medical treatment
• Met the children’s basic needs for food, clothes, shelter and safety
• Cared for them in our Transit Home
• Completed essential legal procedures in coordination with the police office and the labour department
• Sought to make contact with each family by telephone
• Completed a brief profile of each child
• Initiated psychosocial counselling

 Government bodies involved in Rescue:

1. Nepal Police Representative (Police division Mangalbazar & Lagankhel, Lalitpur)
2. Ward Representative of 12
3. District Child Welfare Board, Lalitpur
4. Social Development Department, Lalitpur Metropolitan City
5. Women and Children Office, Lalitpur

Reintegration

Immediately after the rescues, we managed to contact the families of three of the children. They did not know the situations that their children were in and were overjoyed that their children had been rescued from such a vulnerable situation. They thanked the organisation for their actions. During the conversation they stated that they were happy to take the full responsibility for their children. After rigorous discussions in the presence of government bodies, the children were formerly handed over to their families. The organisation has assured them for providing education support and visits their home within a period of one month after doing assessment.

We will continue to care for the remaining boys in our Safe House whilst we trace their families and assess their home situations.

Thank you for your support for our vital and life-changing work. Although these boys are now safe, there are many more children who urgently need our help. Are you willing to make another donation? Thank you.