Steve and I have both been travelling recently - me with a group of Tearfund prayer supporters and Steve with colleagues from the UK and Nepal.
When we visit Tearfund's partners in different parts of the country we are always inspired and encouraged by the work they are doing, sometimes in very difficult circumstances. Here are two stories that particularly stood out for us this time.
Peace and reconciliation
Near the India border in Rupandehi district, seven years after the end of the civil war, political unrest and ethnic conflict continue to simmer.
In 2007 a local disagreement between two ethnic groups resulted in 13 deaths and 200 houses were burnt down. The Lumbini Christian Society, supported by Tearfund partner UMN, heard of the conflict and bravely went to meet with the people involved. They were able play a mediation role and counsel traumatised people in both communities.
They went on to facilitate the development of an inter-faith network of 'Peace Groups'. Hindu, Muslim and Christian men and women from different ethnicities, and with different political persuasions, are now working together to promote forgiveness and reconciliation, and to resolve disputes before they lead to violence. The area has been transformed as a result.
Neighbours are not only friends again but are working together in income generation activities such as shops and vegetable farming. The groups are starting to save money which is lent to members on a revolving basis. Many of the women in the groups who previously were not permitted to talk in public (and who were often subjected to domestic violence) are now being given a voice for the first time.
One woman from a group called 'Creative Peace' said 'I am learning many new things in the group...it is important for us to work together...if we save money it will grow and we will be able to do big things in the future.'
Prevention of child trafficking
Nepal is a source country for the trafficking of children into the commercial sex industry or involuntary servitude as domestics, circus entertainers, factory workers or beggars. It is estimated that 10-15,000 Nepalese women and girls are trafficked to India annually, while 7,500 children are trafficked domestically. Others are taken to the Middle East and beyond. 200,000 Nepalese girls and women are thought to be currently residing in Indian brothels. Girls as young as nine years old have been trafficked.
Thanks for reading. More soon.
SJAP x
When we visit Tearfund's partners in different parts of the country we are always inspired and encouraged by the work they are doing, sometimes in very difficult circumstances. Here are two stories that particularly stood out for us this time.
 |
| Children giving us flowers in Rupandehi district (photo Jude C) |
Near the India border in Rupandehi district, seven years after the end of the civil war, political unrest and ethnic conflict continue to simmer.
In 2007 a local disagreement between two ethnic groups resulted in 13 deaths and 200 houses were burnt down. The Lumbini Christian Society, supported by Tearfund partner UMN, heard of the conflict and bravely went to meet with the people involved. They were able play a mediation role and counsel traumatised people in both communities.
They went on to facilitate the development of an inter-faith network of 'Peace Groups'. Hindu, Muslim and Christian men and women from different ethnicities, and with different political persuasions, are now working together to promote forgiveness and reconciliation, and to resolve disputes before they lead to violence. The area has been transformed as a result.
Neighbours are not only friends again but are working together in income generation activities such as shops and vegetable farming. The groups are starting to save money which is lent to members on a revolving basis. Many of the women in the groups who previously were not permitted to talk in public (and who were often subjected to domestic violence) are now being given a voice for the first time.
One woman from a group called 'Creative Peace' said 'I am learning many new things in the group...it is important for us to work together...if we save money it will grow and we will be able to do big things in the future.'
 |
| 'Creative Peace' community group (photo Jude C) |
 |
| Threshing wheat in Rupandehi district (photo Jude C) |
Nepal is a source country for the trafficking of children into the commercial sex industry or involuntary servitude as domestics, circus entertainers, factory workers or beggars. It is estimated that 10-15,000 Nepalese women and girls are trafficked to India annually, while 7,500 children are trafficked domestically. Others are taken to the Middle East and beyond. 200,000 Nepalese girls and women are thought to be currently residing in Indian brothels. Girls as young as nine years old have been trafficked.
In many cases, relatives or acquaintances facilitate the
trafficking of children.
Girls may be sold for as little as Rs 200 (£1.60) to brokers who deliver them
to brothel owners for up to Rs 40,000 (£320). This purchase price, plus
interest, becomes the debt that they must work to pay off – a process that can
stretch on indefinitely.
Others are lured to the cities or abroad by the promise of good
jobs or schooling. Some are drugged and kidnapped.
Tearfund's local partner, Children at Risk Network (Carnet), works with churches, schools and women's groups in some of the poorest areas of Nepal to raise awareness about, and prevent, child abuse and trafficking. Vulnerable families are supported to develop new sources of sustainable income, reducing the need for children to drop out of school and be sent away to work at an early age.
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| Nuwakot district - one of the areas of Nepal most vulnerable to child trafficking (photo Pranaya P) |
Ganga
Devi Tamang had moved to Kathmandu because there were no employment opportunities in her remote, rural village in Nuwakot district. However, when she heard about the business training being provided by Carnet she decided
to return home.
She joined
a women’s group, started a meat shop and kept two hens. Now she has 80 hens.
Previously chicken meat was imported from outside the community but now she can
supply a lot of the local demand. She
also runs a rice shop. Others in the group have started tailoring and vegetable farming businesses.
There
have been other benefits too. One woman said ‘I always used to quarrel with my
husband - even once I felt like committing suicide. The business training
helped us see that we were spending our time doing nothing. I have learnt to
deal better with my husband through the training on family values. Before my
husband didn't care what I did. Now he helps me in my business.’
 |
| Ganga's poultry farm (photo Pranaya P) |
Other
women agreed that they were now getting more respect from their husbands and
families. One young, unmarried woman, vulnerable to trafficking, said ‘I didn't know before how to generate
income. I didn't have much respect from my family. Now I am involved in goat
farming and I'm studying in grade 12.’
 |
| A new day (photo Jude C) |
Thanks for reading. More soon.
SJAP x
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