Two children rescued from child labour

In two separate operations, a boy and a girl, Sunil* and Pratima*, were recently rescued in Kathmandu. *names changed

Pratima’s Story

Pratima, 14 (pictured above telling her story to our support staff), was rescued by social workers and officials after door-to-door visits by anti-child labour campaigners. She told us her father died when she was young, and that her elder sister and younger brother lived with her mother. Trafficked to Kathmandu by a villager in the hope of earning money for her family. She had been working unpaid in a household for two years. Her duties included cleaning and washing clothes, however as she was from an “untouchable caste” she was not allowed to cook. She also worked at the family’s cosmetic shop. She has not been at school since she was 12 or received any pay. She is now at our safe house for girls, Marigold House, where she was referred following her rescue.

Pratima says, “I want to become a strong and independent woman working in a good position in an office. And I know that I will have to study hard to reach my dream.”

Sunil’s Story

Sunil, also 14 (pictured below with our Rescue Coordinator, Dilu), fled domestic violence at home and spent seven months working in Kathmandu as a bus conductor. His story went viral after a social worker posted a video of him online, leading to him being rescued with the help of Kathmandu Metropolitan City.

Sunil is now safe in our transit home, where he will stay at least for the short term as his family situation is very insecure. Sunil is bright and his English excellent. We hope he will return to school soon.

Raising awareness

We have also been raising awareness of child labour in various municipalities, and our efforts include advertising boards and stickers.

Thank you for supporting us in our fight against child slavery, which involves both rescue and prevention work.