A fund to rescue children from slavery in Nepal

A few weeks ago, our team rescued eight boys from child labour in the Godawari area of Lalitpur – one of our most significant rescue operations in recent years.

How it happened

Godawari is a busy commercial hub on the southern edge of Kathmandu. Over recent months, our team carried out five observation visits across two wards, documenting what they found and running community awareness campaigns – pamphlet distribution and local announcements – that had already begun to reduce the number of children working in the area. In March, we submitted a formal report to the Municipality and coordinated with authorities until the rescue could take place.

When our team arrived, they had six boys on their list. They found two more.

We don't ever leave a child behind. All eight are now safe.

Who we found and where

Construction site (one child) A twelve-year-old boy had been working on a local construction site – heavy physical labour no child should face.

Fish shop (one child) A boy of thirteen had been working in a fish shop, far from his family and his schooling.

Motorcycle workshop (one child) Another teenager had been working in a workshop, exposed to the hazards of tools and machinery.

Botanical gardens (two children) Two boys had been keeping horses at the botanical gardens for over two years – outdoor work that kept them far from any classroom.

Sculpture workshop (two children) Two boys were found at a sculpture workshop – not on our original list, but rescued all the same.

Where they are now

All eight boys – the youngest just twelve years old – are now at our transit home, receiving medical care, counselling, clean clothes, hygiene supplies and proper meals. They come from across Nepal; two are from India. On their first evening, they watched a Bollywood comedy together.

Our team is working to make contact with their families and to assess the safest next steps for each child individually. For those whose families can provide a safe environment, reunification plans are being developed. For those who cannot safely return home, we will provide longer-term care and support.

Your impact

This rescue happened because of your generous support. These boys were working in workshops, on construction sites and in hospitality when they should have been in classrooms. They are now safe, fed and cared for – and they have a chance at childhood, at education, at futures free from exploitation.

Thank you for making this possible. Your support doesn't just fund rescues – it saves and transforms lives.