12 Apr 17 boys rescued: a critical intervention in Birgunj
17 boys rescued from child labour in Nepal: a critical intervention in Birgunj
After months of determined investigation and advocacy, 17 boys have been rescued from dangerous child labour situations in Birgunj, Nepal – a major breakthrough led by Child Rescue Nepal’s partner, Chora Chori Nepal.
Some of the children were just eight years old.
Over three intense days, our partners met tirelessly with local authorities, pushing through barriers and building momentum until action was finally taken. These children are now safe, and their long journey to recovery has begun.
Children found working in harmful, hidden environments
In early March, Chora Chori Nepal launched a focused three-day investigation in Wards 2, 10 and 16 of Birgunj Metropolitan City. What they found was deeply concerning.
Children were being exploited in:
- Bike and cycle repair shops, using sharp tools and harmful chemicals
- Liquor shops, with boys as young as 12 working for over a year
- Hotels and food stalls, with poor hygiene and no pay
- Furniture and grill workshops, exposed to sawdust, extreme heat and metal machinery
- Butcher shops, where children as young as 10 were handling raw meat without protection
One 11-year-old was brought to a hotel by his father and made to work in exchange for nothing more than food and a place to sleep.
Urgency beyond labour: children exploited as cross-border smugglers
The situation worsened when children were found being used to smuggle goods across the nearby India-Nepal border. One boy said he earned just 300 rupees – barely £1.70 – for every sack of rice he carried across. These children are deliberately targeted because they cannot be legally detained.
This isn’t just about illegal work – it’s about children being used, exploited, and placed in constant danger.
Three days of relentless advocacy lead to a breakthrough
After documenting these cases, Chora Chori Nepal met with the Birgunj Metropolitan Office, including the Chief Administrative Officer and the Mayor. Despite initial assurances, getting the go-ahead for a rescue required relentless determination.
For three days, the team ran from one office to the next, refusing to give up until every door opened.
Yesterday, they succeeded.
17 children are now safe
The rescue operation brought 17 boys to safety:
- 12 children aged 8–14
- 5 adolescents aged 15–16
All 17 are now staying in a secure transit home where they’ve received medical check-ups and started counselling. For some, it’s the first time they’ve had a safe bed. The first time they’ve ever played a game. The first time they’ve been allowed to just be children.
Why it keeps happening and what we’re doing about it
Birgunj is a busy commercial and border city, where economic pressure and opportunity collide. It’s also a place where vulnerable children fall through the cracks. In Madhesh Province, where Birgunj lies, over 11% of children are in labour, many in industries like construction, transport and brick kilns.
This is why we work here. And why we’ll keep working here.
What’s next for the rescued boys
This rescue was only the first step. Now, each child will receive:
- Medical treatment
- Trauma-informed care and counselling
- Education assessments
- Family tracing (where safe and appropriate)
- A long-term reintegration plan
We’ll continue working with each child, supporting their recovery and ensuring they never have to return to those conditions again.
Being children again: for some of the boys, it was the first time they had ever played the popular board game of carrom.
Your support made this possible
This rescue reminds us what’s possible when we stand together.
Your incredible support has powered our biggest rescue operation in a decade, bringing freedom to 17 boys. Thank you for making this life-changing moment possible.
Thank you for being part of this. For every child still waiting to be found, your continued support means everything.