Providing for Rescued Kamlaris

Our home in Narti, known as the Lawajuni (New Life) House, provides for girls rescued from indentured servitude by a local organization, Society Welfare Action Nepal (SWAN). In Nepal women and girls face discrimination. In general, they work twice as hard as men and boys and have far fewer opportunities to go to school and develop their potentials. Moreover, the practice of indentured child labor is still prevalent, especially in the rural western regions along the border of India. Young girls, known as Kamlaris, are sold by their parents or guardians to local landlords or urban households as domestic laborers. Some of the girls end up in the sex trade. The Kamlari girls, some as young as six years of age, are exploited, working long hours with little or no pay and are usually not allowed to attend school. Often the Kamlaris are physically abused.

Together SWAN and NOH hope to eliminate the Kamlari practice in the Dang district. Until then, SWAN will continue to rescue Kamlaris when there is room in the NOH Lawajuni House in Narti. We now have two modest buildings with bunk beds, a kitchen (although much of the cooking is done outside over a wood fire), a small dining area, and a store room. We also have a vegetable garden and have purchased two cows and two calves. The girls at Lawajuni care for the cows and the milk is being used to improve their nutrition. We hope to have the older girls learn how to operate a small dairy business. We are continually seeking to provide for the future livelihood of our children. We are also considering venturing into the growing and marketing of medicinal plants, herbs, and henna with the girls at Lawajuni. The facilities at Lawajuni are currently over capacity...and the need is even greater. Of the 60 girls rescued in 2008 by SWAN, many still reside at Lawajuni hostel and attend the nearby public school. There are 16 former Kamlaris now living with 35 other girls from disadvantaged backgrounds at Papa's Samanjasya (Harmony) House in Dhapasi.

Gayatri Chaudhary

Each year the mission has expanded to help more children. In March of 2009, Nepal Orphans Home opened up a new home in Dhapasi, Papa’s Kalpana (Imagine) House for the 29 Kamlari girls then most recently rescued by SWAN. Papa’s Sambhav (Possibilities) House for 26 boys is nearby. Please see the March 12th update on our web site which describes the trip from Narti and the rescued girls’ welcome to Papa’s House in Dhapasi. In  November of 2009, a fourth home in Dhapasi, Papa's Gumba (Sanctuary) House was opened for 30 more Kamlari girls rescued by SWAN.

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