SSW raises funds for the victims of the earthquakes in Nepal
During the summer, the School of Social Work, with the support of the Barry Community, donated a generous gift to Shakti Samuha- the first organization in Nepal to be established and run by survivors of human trafficking.
After the April 25th earthquake-which killed more than 9,000 people and injured more than 23,000-, traffickers have been found active in trafficking girls and children of rural areas. Seeing an increase of missing cases of women and children, Shakti Samuha has expanded its prevention activities through group mobilization and awareness raising, and by providing emergency relief to survivors.
“I am staying in Kathmandu for my education; I am trafficking survivor of 20 years old. My family is located in Sindhupalchowk but it badly collapsed and our family came under the open sky. After that I cried so much but we all were saved that was the great news for us at that moment. From the emergency support we will buy some emergency need for our family”- Pramila Maya (Name Changed) A survivor
“We belong to very poor family background of high hilly area of Nuwakot, I was in forest for bringing some grass and firewood when the earth quake come. A big stone fall down from the high hill and my left leg badly injured, it has done operation 5 times but I have no money even for food, I have 4 kids including a daughter. Thank you to Shakti Samuha for supporting me.”- Hema Rani Tamang (35), a victim of earth quake.
About Shakti Samuha
In 1996, 500 girls and women were rescued from slavery in Indian brothels during widespread police raids. Among these, 128 were Nepalese girls and women. These women were locked away in remand homes in India, where conditions were as bad as – if not worse – than prison. The Nepalese government was reluctant to bring the women back to Nepal, claiming they would bring HIV into the country with them. In the absence of Government support, several NGOs took the lead in returning and rehabilitating the girls. Sadly, even in these rehabilitation centers, the women’s treatment did not help to restore their self-esteem and basic human rights. It was only after months had passed and the women were given training in their rights, that they realized they were not to blame for being trafficked. The women felt it was time to claim their rights so they set up Shakti Samuha. Shakti Samuha began in 1996 and was registered in the Kathmandu District Office of HMG in 2000. Since 1996 we have been organizing and empowering returning trafficking survivors by providing shelter, legal aid, vocational training and counseling. We have also set up Adolescent Girls Groups based in the poorest communities in order to pass on the message about the dangers of trafficking. Now they are reaching out to rural districts where trafficking is prevalent, helping to keep women safe and make a united stand against the traffickers.
To donate or be involved with this organization, please visit http://shaktisamuha.org.np/
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September 2015 Issue
