Visiting Asha-Nepal

  (Rachel) During an hour’s bumpy ride to the North of Kathmandu I decided that it was, sadly, too far to travel to work with Asha-Nepal. Well, the moment I walked through the door I knew that I was in the right place. The Asha-Nepal team - director, social worker, psycho-social counsellor, house managers and house mothers, community liaison officer, finance officer, all who I met, are impressive women, clearly passionate about their work with young women and children in Nepal who have suffered from the worst social evils: trafficking into the sex trade, physical and sexual abuse, discrimination by gender and caste– as well as those who are at severe risk of abuse or being trafficked. Asha-Nepal provides care, a safe place and education to around 100 children, mostly girls aged 6 to 18 years, plus some boys aged 6 to 11 in ‘family environments’. They also support their mothers through an outreach programme and work towards integrating women and children back into the community as soon as possible.

I am happy that Smriti Khadkha (director) has asked me to assist them to publish an attractive annual report for general circulation. She has also asked me to work with the psycho-social counsellor and social worker with the women and girls to write their stories.

                                

Crimes 

Despite laws against trafficking, sexual abuse and gender discrimination, there seems little effort, in a male-dominated society, by the Nepal government and legal system to reduce these crimes. Asha-Nepal steps in when children and young girls are at serious risk, to prevent harm coming to them. The girls and women are referred to them by non-governmental organisations [NGOs], government agencies and, occasionally, individuals or a family member. They are then assessed by the social work team and supported by Asha-Nepal.

Recovery

After a lot of support over time, when young women are ready to resume normal daily life in the community, they are supported into appropriate employment through the Job Coordination Scheme and in some cases seed loans are given to start a small business. When children in residential care are ready to return to their families, they are transferred to the 'Family Preservation Programme'. They are able to continue with their schooling and receive additional support as needed to enable them to stay in the family home, such as assistance with rent and food. 

Back in the outside world, life can be tough for some of these young people; they may be rejected by their families and communities, and become outcasts in the eyes of society. The door of Asha-Nepal remains open for them always…. 

Sorry I was unable to publish these but see this link for photos taken by the women and girls:

http://www.asha-nepal.org/pages/media/my_world.php

In my next blog I’ll share some of the womens’ stories with you…..