Four girls rescued from being trafficked. On November 19th, 2020, a women’s group member from Jyamire informed ETSC Nepal about the disappearance of four adolescent girls aged 8 to 15. 4 girls were seen with bags and new clothes, heading hurriedly towards Kathmandu. It was discovered that a contractor had lured them with promises of […]
My name is Jiwana lama and I live in Padampokhari, Hetauda. I was born in an ordinary family who had been supporting me well. However an unexpected incident took place in my family which led to unhappy changes and our lives became miserable. Our financial situation became so worse that I was not able to […]
Case studies / Success stories: Fulmaya Bholan is 18 years old married teens from Handikhola VDC. She was living with her husband and along with other family members. Husband is working as cleaner in truck. She has not been in good relationship with husband, they used to quarrel each other and the other side family […]
Case studies / Success stories: Fulmaya Bholan is 18 years old married teens from Handikhola VDC. She was living with her husband and along with other family members. Husband is working as cleaner in truck. She has not been in good relationship with husband, they used to quarrel each other and the other side family […]
My name is Mangali Maya Ghalan. I live in Durgapela, Rakhsirang village development committee ward no 4, Makwanpur. I’m currently studying in class eight. As I’m from very poor family I was not able to continue my education for some time although I had keen desire and interest in studying. One day a teacher of my village took my story to ETSC-Nepal and available educational support from ETSC-Nepal. I ‘m again able to rejoin school and now I am continuing my education. Now I have got new hope to fulfill my objective. I’m very grateful towards ETSC-Nepal.
My name is Jiwana lama and I live in Padampokhari, Hetauda. I was born in an ordinary family who had been supporting me well. However an unexpected incident took place in my family which led to unhappy changes and our lives became miserable. Our financial situation became so worse that I was not able to have adequate educational materials and was not able to give enough time for my study. Hence I had to discontinue my schooling.
I was very disheartened but at such time. I was able to receive support from ETSC-Nepal for which I am very thankful and now the light of new hope has returned in my life. I have passed SLC. Now I ‘m doing beauty parlor job and study in Higher education.
My name is Thulimaya Chepang. My home is in Ward No. 7, Handikhola V.D.C Makawanpur. My family lives on agriculture work, at present, I’m doing my agriculture work and I’m a house wife with children. Though our family based on agro farming we could earn only 4 months food from our land. We’ve no skills and methods to raise our agro income.
One day, ETSC-Nepal came to our village with the programme of HIV/AIDS and Human Trafficking. Many of us in our village people were ignorant about this. Later we knew that some our village people who were in our neighborhoods were seemed and felt that they were facing some problem like this. All of us could be fall in trafficking risk and HIV infection. When we took training we aware about the tragic consequences of it and again we tell other villagers about this. Because of this awareness people were talking to save themselves from HIV infections and being trafficked in many ways. After that we formed a group of same situations poor household people we took a two days training for enterprise development, this training has gave me a new hope to do with committance and skill, our group named “Digo Samuha” (Sustainable group). We started to deposit per month Rs.10 from each members. We have received Rs.3, 000 from ETSC-Nepal for our use as revolving fund also. Our group members meeting held’s 8th of every month. I’m very much happy to attend these meetings because it has increased my confidence to learn from others and share my own experience as well as raise voice for all womens welfare.
These days we have finding ourselves better many women’s have increased their confidence in communities because of our group’s activities and the frequent guidance and help from ETSC-Nepal’s people. Some days ago we were having difficult situation. If some one fell in sick there will be no one who could believe and lend money even Rs.100. If any rich people would provide the money, He would use people in his work more then received amount except paying back his core amount. Now, I and other too, we are very grateful towards ETSC-Nepal for this changed situation of us. At the time of need we are borrowing money from groups and pay back easily.
ETSC-Nepal has provided us goats and one He-goat for breeding. At first round, we priorities 8 families who are least poor among us to receive goats. When these goats give babies other families will receive these goats. This goat’s chain programmes goes on and on as there is needs and participations from other people. Except this, we have received Hi-Yield kitchen garden seeds. I produce potatoes and cauliflower and sold it in Hetauda bazaar from that I’ve earned good sum of money. We are very happy to this changed situation of us and thankful to ETSC-Nepal.
I live in Handikhola ward number 4. I did not go to school. My mother died 30 years ago and father died 3 years ago. We are three sisters and three brothers, one brother died. I got married to a teacher who after some time left me and married another woman. One daughter was born to me from my first husband. I felt rejected and was disappointed. People took advantage of my vulnerability and pathetic situation.
I remember the incident when Mrs. Indira Gandhi was killed at that time I was 20 years old. One local broker and four persons from the neighboring VDCs trapped me and lured me with promises of marriage and good employment in India. I remember that they give me water to drink and I lost my consciousness. When I opened my eyes I found myself in India in a big town called Mumbai where I was on the famous beach called Chaupati. The man promised to take me to his sister’s house and he left me in the brothel. I was told that he has sold me for Rs19, 000/-. In the brothel I met one person from Saudi Arabia whose name was Zafar, who married me. He was an elderly person; he took me to Parel where I stayed with him in a hotel hilltop. He was married and had one son and daughter. One day I said to him that I am going back to Nepal for 10 days. Leaving all my belongings in the hotel I retuned to Nepal and never went back to meet him or had any communication with him.
After nine years of my return from Nepal, I met one person who was working in Varanasi in a carpet factory; I married him and stayed with him. The man I married was suffering from HIV/AIDS which I did not know and he ultimately died after giving me the disease. About six years ago I was tested for HIV/AIDS and I was declared HIV positive. Hearing this news I felt like dying. However I came to know that there are many like me who are suffering from this disease. Knowing this I felt at ease.
I was happy to be in touch with NGO ETSCN who gave me training on how to run small business, gave me two female goats and regularly give me nutrition support. I get full cooperation from the staff of ETSCN
I have studied till class 5. A broker who was from my village met my father and there were three other persons with the broker from outside our village. My sister and I were persuaded to go to work in the circus in India. In fact my father was convinced that after joining circus we will get education as well as employment. Thus my father took me and my sister to Kanpur and signed an agreement with the circus owner about our employment. This is how we both landed in “Raj Mahal Circus” which was quite big in size. The circus was employing about 100 girls and 150 boys from Nepal, West Bengal and MP in the age group of 6 years to 20 years. However majority of workers were from Nepal. We were given salary of Rs.25/- per month and free food and lodging.
My sister and I took training on how to swing on “Jhula” and it took nearly 8 months to learn, I also learned the skill to rotate ring around my waist and this training was for 3 months. The third trick I learned was to lie down with the lion. Initially I was afraid but gradually I mustered courage and mastered this skill too. Another interesting skill I learned was to ride on one wheel cycle, which was fun.
We were looked after well in the circus and there was separate place for boys and girls to live and our privacy was protected. The meal timings were not appropriate and often we ate late in the night. My health was affected and I used to fall sick often. It was about 15 years ago when the Circus was moved to Ludhiana, Punjab India where I was very sick and blood transfusion was required. Three persons from the circus (two women and one man) donated blood for me which was matching my blood group. I think that blood must have been infected and I got HIV/AIDS.
The last time I worked in the circus was in Nanded, Maharashtra India. I decided to quit my job. Four months ago (July 2009) I returned back to Nepal and the circus owner gave me Rs.15, 000/-. My sickness continued and on investigation, two months ago I was found HIV positive. I was badly shaken and thought of taking poison and finishing my life. A second thought came to me that I have to live for my daughter who is eight years old and is also HIV positive. My husband who comes from Darjeeling and is also Nepali is still working in the circus on “Jhula”. Thank God my husband is not HIV positive. Now my husband knows that my daughter and I have HIV infection.
I was extended help in Hetauda by ETSCN whose staff Usha contacted me. I was given encouragement and financial assistance to buy 100 chicks and do business. These chicks will grow up to 3 kg in 60 days. I plan to develop this poultry business more in the days to come. The ETSCN organization is also helping me by giving monthly nutritional help to buy food. Now when I talk to other women who are also HIV positive, I feel at peace.
I studied until class 9 and thereafter I discontinued my studies. My husband was a truck driver in Nepal. As a truck driver my husband used to go on long journeys to drive the truck to different parts of the country. Over a period of time he became alcoholic. I am the second wife of my husband. His first wife has left him and her whereabouts are not known. My husband has two sons from the first wife. I had one son and two daughters who are studying and staying in my mother’s house.
I stay with my Nanad (husband’s sister) in Simra , a small town on the border of India. My husband got sick and the sickness prolonged for nearly two years. He could not be healed in -spite of continuous treatment. His health became a cause of concern to me as he became very thin. At one stage due to sickness he could not recognize family members and his legs got paralyzed. He could not go to toilet and I looked after him. The fact was that my husband knew the reason of his sickness which he did not disclose to me. Ultimately, I took my husband to Kalimati hospital. After knowing the profession and history of prolonged sickness of my husband the doctors suspected the killer disease HIV/AIDS. I never knew anything about this disease and enquired about this disease from the doctor. I asked the doctor to get my husband tested for HIV but my husband was not interested to undergo this test. On my insisting, the blood was drawn and test was done. The cost of the test was Rs.600/- and I had only Rs.500/- with me. They agreed to do the test for the amount I could afford to give.
I was asked by the doctor to come on a specific date to take the report of the test. They were not ready to directly tell me the results. I insisted and asked if it was HIV/AIDS which they confirmed. After hearing this I was shocked, I trembled and fell down unconscious. After some time I regained consciousness and the doctor and nurses helped me to face the reality. I felt like committing suicide. Totally shaken and bewildered, I came back home. My husband who was skin and bones, and seriously ill, asked me about the report of the test. I refused to disclose the report and told my husband that the doctor has asked you to come again on some other day.
My relatives were taunting me. I decided to take my husband to the village. By then I did not get my blood tested. I was advised to get my blood tested and to my surprise I was also infected by the disease. I thought I will go mad; I lost the desire to live. Some people took me to a place where there were women living with HIV/AIDS. That exposure made me realize that I am not the only one hit by the trauma of disease, but there are others who are living in similar circumstances. I realized I am not alone and that gave me hope to live. I was brought back to the main stream of life again. To earn my livelihood I started stitching clothes and got work in a temple. I am getting ARV drugs free of cost which is a great help.
In all these struggles of life I am not able to forget one person Rita Khadka whom I call “Didi” elder sister. In the past I worked in her tailoring shop. She has stood by me in all these struggles and supported me with money and encouragement. Her frequent phone calls give me encouragement and hope.
In the past I had no desire to live but now others including ETSCN has given me courage to live. Their staff periodically meets me and counsels me. To maintain good health I am given monthly nutrition supplement. For enhancing my income ETSCN gave me sewing machine which is a good tool for me to earn. I have also attended their training on entrepreneurship development. To participate in the work of ETSCN I work as a volunteer which satisfies me.
Munni (name changed) – victim of human trafficking, age 30 years from Chisapani
At present I live in Chesapani Hetauda and my husband is a painter. I was very small when my father left me with my paternal aunt. My aunt hatched a conspiracy and sold me to the broker when I was merely 14 years old. The person who carried me away said to me that he is taking me to my mother. That is how I landed in a city called Mumbai in India. I stayed in India for nearly ten years and was also taken to Pune and Gujarat.
In the brothel, life in the beginning is tough and new comers are not trusted by the owner of brothel called “Gharwali”. In fact Gharwali does not stay in the brothel but stays in good locality and leads a respectful life with husband and children. The Gharwali often visits the brothel called Kotha to collect the money. In the brothel around 40 to 50 girls in the age group of 12 to 40 years stay in the dormitory. They are not allowed to have close relationships with each other as friends. The “Didi” lady manager of the brothel always keeps a watch on the girls. The gate keeper of the brothel is called “Mausa” or uncle.
The client pays for services according to their preferences. Payments range from Rs.150/- to Rs.600/- for each encounter. For taking a girl outside the brothel the client pays up to Rs.2000/-.The privilege of going out with the client is given only to trustworthy girls who have been in the brothel for about two years, have developed liking for this profession and have proved loyalty to Gharwali or manager of the brothel. In the old age if the CSW wants she can work in the brothel as cook, washer woman and do petty jobs for which she is paid salary.
Nearly 16 years ago safe sex was not practiced in brothels. After two years of my brothel life I became pregnant and I preferred to continue with my pregnancy. Most of the girls in such situations would prefer to abort the baby. However, a baby girl was born to me and I fed the baby for two months and in accordance with the customs of the brothel, after two months the baby is sent out to be brought up elsewhere at the cost of brothel owner. However every month the baby is brought to the mother for few hours. I still have that child with me. After coming back from Mumbai I married a boy who now works as a painter. After six years of married life a girl child was born to me.
My health did not cooperate with me and ultimately it was found that I am HIV positive. Knowing this fact my husband cried and felt very bad. But now he is fine with me and he knows about my past life.
It is now eight years that I have come back from Mumbai. The Gharwali gave me Rs.10, 000/- on leaving Mumbai. One person accompanied me and left me on the border of Nepal from where I came back home on my own.
The contact with NGO ETSCN has been much fruitful. I am given nutrition help in the form of Rs.300/- per month, two goats are given to me, I have received training in entrepreneurship development and periodical counseling. Thank you!
