SAHAS – our fight against modern slavery
Impact stories from project CLAMP
2 SAHAS – our fight against modern slavery
Major achievements people 14,456 (65% female) with increased
awareness of modern slavery through training, counselling and community meetings. dropout 596 at-risk, marginalised
children re-enrolled into primary and secondary education.
Rescued, rehabilitated, and reintegrated
children and young 113 women survivors of human
551 extremely poor
households (mostly girls and young women) empowered through livelihoods and entrepreneur skills, resulting in increased income.
Youth Change Agents 188 (community volunteers) trained and mentored to advocate on local issues of human trafficking and safeguarding.
trafficking.
UN
Ratified Palermo Protocol (policy to prevent, suppress and punish human trafficking in person) in a joint advocacy effort with National AATWIN Alliance. Video documentary on CLAMP https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTlUYgqEml4
Safer communities, through establishment of BFM protection committees addressing local issues of modern slavery and safeguarding, in close collaboration with local government, protecting 58,059 people.
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Impact stories from project CLAMP 3
Contents Glossary of terms.............................................................................................................. 4 Acknowledgements...................................................................................................... 5 Stories in focus Agony to hope............................................................................................................................. 6 Building a brighter future............................................................................ 8 Healing own wounds........................................................................................... 10 Returning to the path of education............................. 12 A school principal’s resolve.............................................................. 14 Bina, a young entrepreneur...............................................................16 Creating safe society for children..................................... 18 Fostering change............................................................................................................. 20 Child bride to a budding entrepreneur............ 22 Learning from experience.....................................................................24 Making school safer................................................................................................ 26 Stitching dreams together................................................................... 28 Overcoming disability.................................................................................... 30 Journey of a survivor.......................................................................................... 32 Straight from the heart - Team CLAMP...........34
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Glossary of terms AATWIN – Alliance Against Trafficking In Women And Children In Nepal. BFM – The Beneficiary Feedback Mechanism is a community-based protection committee, established under the CLAMP project, to address local issues of modern slavery and safeguarding. It has representatives from local government, teachers, youth and other community members. CBO – Community-based organisations such as local youth club, women groups, etc. ChildHope UK – A registered UK charity supporting children and young people who face the worst forms of injustice, violence and abuse in Africa and Asia. CLAMP – Community Led Action Against Modern Slavery and Poverty is a project co-managed by ChildHope UK and Shakti Samuha. Between 2018-21, it addressed issues of human trafficking, unsafe migration and safeguarding in the high-risk districts of Sindhupalchowk and Nuwakot, Nepal, covering 24 wards. FCDO – The Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, formerly known as the UK Department for International Development (DFID). They are the funder of the CLAMP project.
Modern Slavery – An umbrella term used for forced labour, debt bondage, forced child marriage, human trafficking, etc. Shakti Samuha – Registered Nepali NGO run by the survivors, addressing issues of Modern-Slavery. Shelter Home – Residential care centres run by Shakti Samuha in collaboration with the Government of Nepal to support rehabilitation and reintegration of the rescued survivors of human trafficking. Survivors – Those who suffered but survived human trafficking, abuse or forced labour. Ward or municipality offices – Local government administrative offices in every district of Nepal. A municipality is a cluster of 10-20 wards, with a ward being a cluster of 10-15 villages. YCA – Youth Change Agents are local, community-based project volunteers.
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Acknowledgements ‘’CLAMP became a very exceptional project for Shakti Samuha. It has incorporated voices from the grass roots, to be heard at national level. CLAMP helped young people to be leaders of their own community, equipping them with knowledge and enhancing their capacity in many ways. ChildHope UK has enormously supported Shakti Samuha, developing our capacity on strategy, leadership and sustainability. Gradually, our organization has increased in professionalism and improved systems and policies. Our role in coordination and networking between beneficiaries, stakeholders and the Government of Nepal has become stronger and will last well beyond the CLAMP project, because we are all stronger and have taken on greater responsibility’’ Balkumari Darlami, Executive Director, Shakti Samuha
From the first moment I met leaders from Shakti Samuha I could sense their untiring determination to tackle trafficking. They had experienced, first-hand, the harm trafficking causes and, having survived, went on to build an organisation where everyone works together to end this form of exploitation. Shakti Samuha supports survivors with sensitivity, empathy and care, and finds creative ways to rebuild lives and reduce exploitation and abuse in communities. Their energy is infectious and I really wanted ChildHope and Shakti Samuha to work together – luckily, they wanted to work with us, too. It has been an honour to deliver the CLAMP project in partnership with Shakti
In designing the CLAMP project, we wanted to continue to help children and young women who were trafficked to move to places of safety and security; with a future that was no longer defined by fear of the people around them. But we also wanted to learn from their experiences and apply that learning to build a project with a strong focus on prevention. So, the CLAMP team listened to children and young people’s experiences and advice, leading to our education work with children and the training and livelihoods projects with young people. This provided ways to stay and thrive in their own communities. Young people grew as leaders through the Youth Change Agent initiative, working with their peers and communities. And, garnering the commitment of local leaders and decision-makers, BFM committees were established, dedicated to the safety and protection of children in communities. The children and young people in the project even succeeded in influencing national policy change through engagement in the AATWIN Alliance. Amit Arulanantham, Strategic Director-Asia, ChildHope UK Samuha, and the stories in this book aim to capture what the project has meant to some of the people involved. Special thanks to everyone in Team CLAMP, at ChildHope and Shakti Samuha for their involvement in planning, documenting, and designing these impact stories; in particular to Sarala Tamang, Januka Khatiwada and Amit Arulanantham. None of these life changing impacts would have been possible without the technical and financial support of FCDO, Mannion Daniels, the Government of Nepal, Voice of Children and AATWIN. However, most of all we are indebted to children, young men and women - without their courage and bravery there would be no story to tell. Jill Healey, Executive Director, ChildHope UK
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Agony to hope – Asha’s story of resilience Fourteen-year-old Asha (name changed) lives in the Nuwakot district of Bagmati Province in Nepal. Almost a year ago, when Asha was in Standard 8 at school, her life was turned upside down when she was sexually abused by a relative. “I was visiting these relatives to stay with them overnight when I was sexually abused. I was only 13 years old, and in a lot of pain. I was very scared and couldn’t make out what was going on. I was also worried about whether I would be supported by anyone to cope with what had happened, or I would be left all alone.”
Despite being scared, Asha found the courage to talk to her family who, to her relief, supported her by making her feel safe and listened to. Soon after, a Community Based Organisation member was informed of the incident and reported it to CLAMP. A consultation was set up with the District Officer and a case was filed at the local police station against the perpetrator. He is currently being remanded in custody, awaiting sentencing. In 2020, Asha was referred to Shakti Samuha by Nuwakot district police. She was provided with medical support through the One-stop Crisis Management Centre, run by the Government of Nepal, which supports victims of abuse and violation. She was later placed in Shakti Samuha’s shelter home for counselling-support and rehabilitation. Asha spends her days at the shelter home and is involved in informal education and extracurricular activities. She also participates in a programme offered by Harambee Art Nepal. This supports survivors of sexual violence and abuse through their trauma and recovery. It includes life skills, meditation and healing sessions, and empowerment workshops.
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Asha shares her experience: “After the incident, I felt as if my life had finished and there was no way I could re-live it. But during the sessions and discussions in the shelter home, I learnt about different forms of abuse and about modern slavery issues. I saw videos and heard stories about slavery and assault cases. How, despite their experiences, victims were able to change their lives for better after receiving support. I was inspired by listening to the case and achievements of Miss Charimaya Tamang, the co-founder of Shakti Samuha and one of the survivors, despite the struggles and hurdles she faced.” In her informal education classes Asha’s performance is commendable, and she wishes to continue her studies. She has also been learning self-defense and going through martial arts training. Along with this support, she’s received
training in cushion making to help her become financially independent after leaving the shelter home. Because of the support she has received, Asha is now hopeful about the future. “I aim to fight against abuse and modern-day slavery in my future and raise my voice to ensure a dignified life for survivors like me.”
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Building a brighter future Paru (22 years, name changed) lives in Nuwakot district, Nepal, with her family. She has been involved with Shakti Samuha projects for a few years. Prior to CLAMP, she was a member of the adolescent group from her community. Here Paru showed passion and active participation in leadership and community mobilisation trainings. Her previous involvement and enthusiasm meant that, in 2018, she was selected as a Youth Change Agent (YCA) under the CLAMP project. She now works to identify vulnerable children in her community and motivates them, and their families, to restart their education. In co-ordination with the ward office and schools, she makes them aware of the risks and dangers of human trafficking, especially for girls. Paru shares, “I have been spreading awareness among the girls and community people focusing on early marriage, as this has been one of the most difficult challenges that I have myself faced.” For many years, Paru faced immense pressure to get married by her family. However, she prevented herself from being trapped by sharing the risks of early marriage with her parents. Now, with the help of her sister and a maternal aunt, she has been able to convince her parents that she needs to focus on becoming physically and economically ready, before getting married. But this change of mindset was not easy. “I used to feel that I was a burden for my family. The idea of being forced to take on the responsibilities of my in-law’s house
and to have children at a young age, when my body and mind would not be ready, scared me. I wanted to study, learn and become financially independent.” In one of the YCA review meetings, Paru shared about the extreme financial crisis in her family and of her own interest in becoming self-reliant. CLAMP staff visited her house and conducted a needs assessment. With referral from the
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ward office, as a young adult at high-risk, Paru was selected for vocational training in tailoring. She shares, “Shakti Samuha and F-skills (training institute) presented me with a certificate when I had successfully completed the training. This has boosted my confidence so much! I have also developed my communication and leadership skills working as a YCA. I feel good mobilising communities and spreading awareness on important issues.” In coordination with Dupcheshwor Rural Municipality, the ward level Shikharbesi Women Network selected Paru for a further six-month
training programme. This training was funded by Dupcheshwor Rural Municipality under its women empowerment initiatives. Paru then selected a girl from her village as a trainee helper. They both earned 10,000 Nepali Rupees (£75) per month as trainees. Having successfully completed the training, they are now looking for suitable work opportunities. Paru says proudly, “I was shortlisted because of my dedication and commitment to this profession. I am determined to continue in the tailoring profession and help people that are in need by sharing about my own life experiences.”
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Healing own wounds – Bharati’s resolve Bharati (22 years, name changed) lives with her husband in Nuwakot district, Nepal. At the age of 17, she was married off and soon afterwards dropped out of school. Her elder sister is a survivor of sexual abuse and human trafficking. She moved back home after being away for several years, when Bharati was just 3 and half years old. When Bharati’s sister was 16 years old, she was sexually abused and gave birth to a stillborn child. Having no support from her family, she ended up being trafficked to India and was forced to become a sex worker in a brothel. Some years later, she was told to leave because she was unable to recover from a sickness and was no longer able to work. While living on the streets, an Indian man found her, and they married. However, due to the stigma attached to her past and her belonging to a
different caste (the caste system is prevalent in India and Nepal, along with other Southeast Asian countries), the man’s family never accepted her, and she feared for her life. It was then, that her family brought her back to Kathmandu where she and her daughter now live. Growing up, Bharati was told about her sisters’ traumatic experiences and understood what had happened to her. This instilled great fear and made her realise how horrific sexual abuse is. In 2018, Bharati joined the Community Based Organisation (CBO) meetings held under the CLAMP project. Discussions about modern slavery influenced her greatly, as she herself had a survivor in her family. She became determined to work to minimise such risks in her community. Seeing her passion, in 2019 she was referred by the ward office and selected as a Youth Change Agent (YCA). Later she also became a member of Beneficiaries Feedback Mechanism (BFM) committee. As a YCA and BFM member, she actively takes up issues concerning children and young adults in the community.
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“There is a need to make the community aware about children’s safety and well-being. Recently, a child was hit by a woman with a stone and severely injured, just because he had eaten some nuts that belonged to her. As secretary of the CBO, I called for a meeting and addressed this issue. In the initial years of my work, I lacked confidence in dealing with community members. However, CLAMP has equipped me with confidence and knowledge on this issue and I am determined to continue raising my voice.” Bharati realises that education decreases the risk of children falling into the trap of modern slavery and child labour. She also knows that it gives children an opportunity to get a better future. She has decided to resume her education and is grateful for what she has learnt through the CLAMP project. “It has given me the direction to become a voice for my community and to work to prevent many families go through the trauma which my family had to suffer.”
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Returning to the path of education
Saya (17 years, name changed) lives in Nuwakot district with her family. Her elder sister got married at the age of 18, and her older brother is a labourer in India. Her father has a mental and physical disability. He does minor household chores, while her mum works in agriculture. When Saya was in class 7, she dropped out of school due to family responsibilities and financial problems. After she dropped out, she began helping her mother in agriculture, managing the household chores, working as a labourer in neighbouring fields, and collecting wood from the jungle for fuel.
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Eager to support her family, Saya travelled to Kathmandu with some friends for a tailoring job. However, once they arrived, they were told that the position had been filled. Instead, they were offered a job where they could work without pay. They returned home, but shortly after the employer (from the place they had tried to get work) visited their village. Saya and her two friends were persuaded that if they went with him to Kathmandu, they would be enrolled into school. Yet, they were never enrolled and were made to work without pay. In 2018, during CLAMP’s door-to-door campaign, Saya was identified as a vulnerable adolescent. Regular efforts were made to try to convince Saya and her family, that Saya should re-enrol in school. But she was apprehensive, as she feared she would have to re-sit the same class she left with no friends. Numerous follow-ups discussions with CLAMP staff and Youth Change Agents, and hearing stories of survivors like Charimaya Tamang (the co-founder of Shakti Samuha) helped her understand more clearly the risks of human trafficking, for girls like her. She was assured that she would be enrolled in education at a level suitable for her age, and that her friends would also be re-enrolled. After some time, she finally decided to resume her education. While her mother was not happy about Saya returning to school, rather than helping her with work and household chores, her father was very encouraging and backed her wholeheartedly. In 2018, Saya was enrolled in class 8 and showed exemplary performance, excelling in her studies.
CLAMP has continued to organise regular training sessions on child safeguarding and modern slavery issues in her school. “My friends who were working in Kathmandu were brought back to our community after CLAMP staff talked with their families. Staff told them about the dangers of modern slavery and child labour. They were also re-enrolled in my school. I am happy that my friends are back, and safe, and am determined to always raise my voice against human trafficking.” Saya is proud of how far she has come and wants to become a bank manager when she grows up, so she can support her family. “I want to see the smile and satisfaction on my father’s face. I am so glad I got the opportunity to continue my studies because of CLAMP.”
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A school principal’s resolve to address students dropping out Mr. Basudev Thapa has been a school principal for many years. Due to his vast experience in education, he has been instrumental in supporting CLAMP’s work in improving retention rates and well-being of school-aged children in Nuwakot district of Bagmati Province in Nepal. It was through the Parents and Teachers Association (PTA) meetings in Shakti Samuha’s CLAMP project that some of the challenges of high child-dropout rates, and the reasons behind these problems, were openly discussed. One of the reasons identified as a main demotivating factor for children was name-calling by students, and even some teachers. Children with different looks or features would sometimes be addressed by demeaning names, such as giving someone a nickname which points out their dark complexion or short height. Mr. Thapa admitted that this was very common
behaviour by students, and even some teachers, and realised its consequences and effects on children after it was raised in the PTA meetings. “Over my years of work here, I have seen many children dropping out of school for various reasons. However, I never realised that casual name-calling could be a big reason for such drop-outs.” Some of the other reasons identified for the dropout were poor economic conditions at home, peer pressure, bullying and humiliation in school, family responsibilities placed on children, social norms, and gender discrimination.
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After these meetings led to new understanding on the importance of children’s mental well-being, Mr. Thapa initiated a campaign in his own school to reach out to child dropouts. Through this, the school managed to support 10 children back into school - subsidising their re-admission fees. He shares, “I have learnt a lot during CLAMP meetings about the issue of child safeguarding in educational settings. I have also understood how children who drop-out become more vulnerable to the dangers of modern slavery. Therefore, I’m committed to ensure that it doesn’t happen.”
Along with supporting students to re-enrol, Mr. Thapa has also actively worked to create a cultural shift within the school, by sensitising teachers on discriminatory behaviour and other safeguarding issues. Working to make the school more child friendly, Mr. Thapa says he is grateful for the new insight he has gained from the project. “I thank CLAMP for developing my understanding and perspective towards children’s issues. I realise that, unknowingly, I have exhibited such behaviour in the past which demotivated children. I am determined to change my own behaviour, as well as that of other teachers and students.”
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Standing tall in the face of adversities – Bina, a young entrepreneur Bina (19 years, name changed) lives with her family in a rural village in Nuwakot district. When she was 17, her father passed away putting the responsibility of sustaining the household on Bina. Forced to drop out of school, she began working as a farm labourer in the fields nearby. “I suffered a lot physically as my body couldn’t do so much work. I had to bend down all day planting seedlings or lifting heavy sacks of grain. My body would hurt everywhere. However, I had to work as the income from agriculture at home wasn’t sufficient.” Soon after, her brother was diagnosed with a stomach tumour changing Bina’s family circumstances once again. The family were forced to take a loan for his medical treatment, so she had to work even longer hours to repay this. In 2019, during a household visit CLAMP staff and a Youth Change Agent (YCA) encouraged Bina to resume her education, as she was identified to be at high risk of modern slavery. Bina was apprehensive about starting study again, as it had been a few years since she had dropped out. However, she expressed her interest in livelihood training, as she thought this could help build her skills to become financially independent. After
discussions with the ward office and Beneficiaries Feedback Committee, and consultation with Bina and her family, she was selected for the goat-rearing training - part of the livelihood skills development programme under the CLAMP project. She shares, “I never knew that rearing goats could make me an entrepreneur and not just merely a shepherd.” Upon finishing the training, she sought help from local community members to build a
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shed for goats. She received one goat from CLAMP but wanted to expand it further. As the family had no money to buy new goats, Bina and her mother approached a neighbour and borrowed three female goats - with the condition of returning them back with kids in sometime. Within four months of rearing them, the goats had given birth to four kids - three female and 1 male. Bina sold the male goat after six months for 10,000 Nepali Rupees (£75) and returned the three female goats to her neighbour, along with two kids as per their agreement. She now has two female goats – one of which is her own and the other provided by CLAMP. She shares, “I am determined to continue this business. It is helping me to repay the loan taken during the treatment of my brother. My business has built my credibility and people are willing to provide me loans. I have been teaching the skills of goat rearing to my mother, so she can help in the work.
I have also understood about vulnerabilities which expose us to harm and if I come across any case of human trafficking in my locality, I will immediately seek BFM protection committee’s help.”
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Creating safe society for children Mr. Bacchu Ram Tamang (38 years) is a ward president in Nuwakot district, Nepal. He has been actively involved in establishing and strengthening the Beneficiaries Feedback Mechanism (BFM) committee, as a coordinator. “I have been a part of several trainings under the CLAMP project which have really developed my understanding of child safeguarding and modern slavery issues. As the ward president, I had always prioritised the development
of my community. But, after associating with CLAMP, I have now realised how critical the issues of modern slavery, child labour and child safeguarding are in order to sustain community development.”
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Using new approaches, like quizzes, competitions and informal interactions, he has been sensitising the community on critical issues such as early marriages, school dropout rates, and human trafficking. He also ensures that the feedback received through BFM, is accurately recorded and the required follow-up actions are taken. “I admit that I had not completely realised the importance of BFM when CLAMP staff approached me. But once the work through BFM started, I was amazed to see how effective it was to create a protection mechanism and address critical child safeguarding and modern slavery issues. For example, a 16-year-old girl was recently rescued by the BFM committee in coordination with the police. She was influenced by her relatives to take early marriage, while her parents were unaware. She has now been enrolled in class 9 in school and lives safely in her maternal home. The BFM committee has been playing a vital role to make various stakeholders and the community more accountable towards our own duties and social issues.” “Being a coordinator of BFM committee, and a ward president, I have also planned to provide wiring machines, tailoring machines, and chickens and goats for marginalized community members, including single women. This will improve their livelihoods, reducing both poverty and other risks.” He attributes the reduction in modern slavery and increased access to education to CLAMP’s work, and its involvement in the community. It has also helped him to challenge his own perception and approaches to these key issues. “CLAMP has helped in reducing the risks of modern slavery in high-risk communities by way of education for children, raising awareness among community members, imparting
livelihood trainings to people in vulnerable conditions and helping them into work. CLAMP has further strengthened my commitment to eliminate poverty, minimise human trafficking and advance development, in order to create a better society.”
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Fostering change through local government and NGO collaboration The CLAMP project is tackling modern slavery and poverty in Nepal. CLAMP works through community-led action to implement initiatives and tackle these issues. It engages with influential stakeholders to reach the most vulnerable communities. As part of this initiative, CLAMP is coordinating and collaborating with ward offices. Mr. Tshering Lama, 49 years old, is a ward president in Sindhupalchowk district. Sindhupalchowk is a high-risk district for human trafficking. Mr. Lama has been working closely with this project since it began in 2018 on critical issues prevalent in his community such as child marriage, child labour, and high school dropout rates. As ward president, he has been working to raise awareness on these issues among parents and children. He shares, “Earlier, it was due to the lack of awareness among parents that they would marry their children off at a young age. However, now many adolescents are themselves choosing to get married at an early age and hence falling into the risks that
follow. It is extremely important that focus is given on children’s education and especially in retaining them in schools and higher education. This can keep them away from child marriage.” Mr. Lama is also a member of the Beneficiaries Feedback Mechanism (BFM) committee. He has been following referral mechanisms that have been provided by the committee to address issues of child safeguarding and modern slavery and has found them effective. The committee has also developed and implemented its own safeguarding plan. “As coordinator of the BFM committee, I have been closely collaborating with CLAMP in organising various programmes in our community, like awareness sessions in schools and meetings with CBOs on issues pertaining to child protection, child marriages, and modern slavery. The BFM committee takes all the feedback it receives very seriously and addresses it accordingly.” The high dropout rate among school children is another issue that Mr. Lama has been working on. The principal of Ishing School, Mr. Druba Giri, who is also a member of the BFM committee, has been able to bring down the dropout rate in his school from 20% in the last session to almost zero percent, after frequent initiations and follow-ups with the BFM committee. Mr. Lama commented,
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“This was possible only due to the joint efforts by the CLAMP project, School Management Committee (SMC), Parents and Teachers Association (PTA) and the BFM Committee.” As a result of the Local Government Operation Act, 2017, there are new structures at local level, but a child protection and other local level committees have not been formed to address child safeguarding and human trafficking issues. In this scenario, the BFM plays a vital role in addressing the child protection and modern slavery issues in the ward. In Mr. Lama’s words, “CLAMP has also supported in enhancing the issue-based knowledge of all BFM Committee members, thereby making it more capable and effective.”
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Child bride to a budding entrepreneur Anju’s story!
Anju (29 years, name changed) lives with her husband and two sons in rural Sindhupalchowk district. Her husband works as an agricultural labourer and was the sole income earner in the family for a while. Having lost her father at the age of 3 and mother at the age of 15, Anju had to move in with her maternal uncle and aunt. She was not treated well there and was made to work tirelessly, struggling to
get a decent meal. She shares, “I couldn’t do all the work assigned to me as it was very tiring. A year after my mother’s death, my uncle and aunt found a man and married me off. I used to feel as if I was a burden
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on the people around me. At the age of 17 years, I had my first baby. I was a child myself, unable to cope with life on my own, and here I had a child of my own to take care of.” After a few years, she had her second son. The financial instability at home, and lack of her own skills, made Anju very desperate. In 2019, following a risk assessment, Anju was identified by CLAMP staff and by the ward office as being at high risk of modern slavery. As part of CLAMP’s livelihood skills development initiative, she received training in poultry farming, based on local needs and her own interests. “During the training, I learned the best practices for poultry farming. I also learned about the issues of modern slavery and how it trapped young people, especially women and girls. From my own experience, I also realise the dangers of child marriage and advise all girls not to get married early.” After successfully completing her training, Anju received 62 chicks as part of the initiative. She took a loan of 50,000 Nepali Rupees (£370) from a CBO named Churikharka Mothers Group and built a shed for housing her chickens. She was able to earn 40,000 Nepali Rupees (£296) from selling them and then she added 400 chickens to her stock and was able to earn a further 30,000 Nepali Rupees (£220). Prices were affected due to the Covid-19 pandemic. She has been able to repay most of her
loan already. To manage the waste, she has two pigs and is working on expanding her business further. Anju’s husband has been supportive of her business and assists her whenever needed. Their overall financial situation has been steadily improving. Today, both their children attend school. Anju has plans to formally register her business and grow it further in the coming years. “As I earned a decent amount from poultry farming at the beginning of the business and it has proven successful, I am now approached by neighbours, and by even my husband, regarding ideal farming techniques and suggestions for improving their work. I feel very proud of myself.”
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Learning from experience and helping young people: Jeeya “I got married to the guy of my own choice at the age of 16 against my parents’ consent and discontinued my studies. It didn’t take me long to realise what a mistake it was!” Jeeya (23 years old, name changed) lives in Nuwakot with her husband and two sons. Her husband is currently working in Saudi Arabia. She works in agriculture and takes care of their sons and the household, alone. Jeeya says that neither she nor her husband had any skills or livelihood opportunities when they got married. It was already stressful for Jeeya to leave her parents’ house and manage an entirely new one on her own, the financial challenges only worsened the situation. She could not turn to her parents
with her concerns as she had made this choice against their will. She had her first baby when she was only 18, and the second one at the age of 20. She came to realise her mistake and regretted getting married so early. In 2018, after the ward office referred Jeeya to CLAMP as a young adult at high risk, she was selected as a Youth Change Agent (YCA) by Shakti Samuha in its CLAMP project. She was passionate to work on the social issues concerning her community like child abuse, gender-based violence, early marriages, high dropout rate, and child labour. Given her own experiences, Jeeya focuses on addressing the issues of early marriage and school dropouts. As part of her training as a YCA, she has
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developed her knowledge on these issues and uses it to mobilise and sensitise communities. “I talk to the youth in the community and make them aware of the risks of modern slavery. I have developed a deeper understanding of how these issues affect children’s lives and dreams. However, I still come across situations which are new and more challenging. CLAMP supports me in dealing with these cases.” Having dropped out of school in year 10 herself, she faces challenges in convincing the community members about the importance of education for their children and the dangers of early marriage.
“Many community members mock me highlighting that I myself made such choices in life. I, however, insist that it is because of my own experiences that I am sure of its ill-effects and thus, want to share with others so that they don’t fall into such traps. There are also community members who appreciate my work and it keeps me motivated. Other YCAs also face such challenges and I am determined to work with them and continue raising my voice and spread awareness. It is not easy but change is definitely possible!”
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Making school safer – a student’s efforts! Rajbir (16 years old, name changed) comes from a marginalised family in Sindhupalchowk. His family has a small piece of land on which only maize and millets can be grown. Along with the financial challenges at home, Rajbir also suffered from a fire accident in his childhood. At 8 months old, he sustained major burns. After the treatment, his physical wellbeing was restored. However, the burn marks remain on his face. These marks became a major reason Rajbir got bullied in school. He shares, “In school, I was always teased by my friends and even teachers for being different from others. Due to this and because I wanted to play more than study, I dropped out from school. I wanted to work and earn money and used to wish for someone to offer me work. No one convinced me to join school after that.” During CLAMP’s door-to-door campaign, the staff and a Youth Change Agent met with Rajbir and his family. They spoke with the family on a regular basis to alert them about the risks of modern slavery, child labour and the importance of education. After many conversations with the CLAMP team, Rajbir and his family were convinced that Rajbir should resume education. Being aware that bullying and humiliation in school had forced Rajbir to dropout in the past, CLAMP staff actively engaged with the School Management Committee (SMC) to address this issue. It was established, through discussions, that there was a need to create child-friendly environment in school which does not allow bullying or teasing of any child. The SMC also acknowledged that it was not aware of this issue being present among
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students and realised its negative impact. Following this, children were made aware during assembly sessions about the consequences of bullying. Similarly, teachers were also sensitised on this issue. In 2018, CLAMP organised an awareness programme on child protection and child labour issues in the school where Rajbir was re-enrolled, Rajbir also shared his experiences. Rajbir was re-enrolled in class 7 and is currently in class 9. He has been in school regularly and shares that his friends no longer tease nor bully him. In the last examinations, he secured second position in his
class. Recommended by the School Management Committee, he is also a representative from the Child Club in the BFM committee and raises pertinent issues related to children. In his own words, “After being a part of the BFM and gaining knowledge about child labour and modern slavery, I feel blessed for not being approached by anyone for employment when I had dropped out - or else I would have been a victim of the same. I am very happy to resume my education and my parents and community are proud of my achievements. My aim is to be a social activist and serve my nation.”
28 SAHAS – our fight against modern slavery
Stitching dreams together: Ranjit’s journey! Ranjit’s (name changed) is an exemplary story of determination set against unimaginable difficulties. Living in rural Sindhupalchowk district with his wife and four daughters, 32-year-old Ranjit relied on agriculture for his livelihood. However, after the 2015 earthquake that shook Nepal and the bordering countries, his life took a dark turn.
Impact stories from project CLAMP 29
“The earthquake destroyed many houses and structures including mine. One day, when I was looking for stones in the jungle by the hillside to reconstruct my house, a huge rock, almost the size of a tipper truck, came crashing on me. I found out my leg was amputated after I regained consciousness in hospital three days later. My friend who took me to the hospital told me that there was a danger of infection spreading across the whole body and so the leg had to be cut off.” When Ranjit was in hospital, a lady from another district asked him about his family and offered to have one of his daughters stay with her. Ranjit however discussed this with his family, and they all decided against this offer as they felt that it could be a trap leading to abuse, child labour, or even human trafficking. Ranjit spent over two months in two hospitals for treatment. The amputation was followed by placing metal rods in his hands and the remaining leg as these were very weak. The treatment expense was paid for with the help of his friends and a loan taken by his family. Now, Ranjit walks with crutches which is not easy on the hilly terrain where he lives. In 2020, during the door-to-door campaign by CLAMP, Ranjit was identified as one of the most vulnerable members of his community. His situation not only made his life difficult but also made his daughters and wife vulnerable to the risk of modern slavery. It was then that Ranjit also expressed his frustration about not being able to provide for his family and his desire to enhance his skills so that he could work to improve his economic situation. Following a needs assessment and reference from the ward office, and considering Ranjit’s existing knowledge in basic tailoring, he was provided with advanced training in tailoring for a month.
“CLAMP helped me learn advanced skills in tailoring and boosted my confidence. During my training, the dream of providing good education to my children and keeping them away from any kind of harm, kept me motivated.” Today, Ranjit works from his home, earns around 8000 Nepali Rupees (£60) per month, and his daughters attend school. Ranjit faces some discrimination from the community members due to his disability but stands strong with the support of his friends and family. Ranjit says, “I see my business expanding further in the future and wish to establish myself as a strong independent entrepreneur.” He feels that it is very important for persons with disability to have opportunities to learn skills which can help them earn a livelihood in a dignified and independent manner.
30 SAHAS – our fight against modern slavery
Overcoming disability and building a futureSapana Sapana (20 years old, name changed) comes from Nuwakot district in Nepal. Nuwakot district is a human trafficking hotspot. Sapana’s family, like many other families there, depend on agriculture and labour work for their livelihoods. In 2018, Sapana was referred to the CLAMP project by the ward office for her active engagement in the community and was successfully selected as one of the Youth Change Agents (YCAs). She shares, “I attend the coordination meetings with YCAs and have been a regular participant in every training.
I have been working directly on the issue of school dropouts by motivating children for re-enrolment. I have learned about modern slavery, child marriages, and gender-based violence. I continue to develop my understanding with the help of the training manual provided by CLAMP. I also share this information with community members to make them aware.” Just a few months after starting work with CLAMP, Sapana had a serious road accident which led to the amputation of one of her legs. Getting proper treatment was a challenge, she had to be readmitted into a better hospital in Kathmandu. “I was travelling to Nuwakot district when my bus met with an accident. I lost my leg. This was a huge trauma and I felt extremely worthless. Through my trainings as YCA I had learned about the risks for vulnerable children and especially girls. I was also fearful about my own future as a person with disability.” Sapana recovered from the accident and continued working with the community and spreading awareness on critical issues as a YCA. However, her disability restricted her mobility in the hilly terrain of the villages she worked in. When she shared this with CLAMP staff and the ward office, a needs
Impact stories from project CLAMP 31
assessment was conducted with support from ward office and rural municipality. As a result of this assessment, Sapana was provided with a laptop, a printer, cartridges and a hard drive to initiate her own stationery shop. She shares, “CLAMP supported me in becoming self-employed. The local government also helped me in establishing my shop very strategically near the municipality office. The insecurity and uncertainly that clouded my thoughts after the accident has been replaced by hope and optimism. Other YCAs also supported me and helped me continue my work in the community. They made me realise that my life is precious.” She shares that the community treats persons with disabilities as less capable than others, and ignores their existence and challenges. This needs to change and people with disabilities need to be treated as equals and given equal opportunities to reclaim their rights.
Currently living with her parents, Sapana earns 12000 Nepali Rupees (£90) per month and is also pursuing a degree in Commerce. “I am able to continue my studies, support my family economically, and pay for my medication from this business. I am very thankful to CLAMP for giving me this opportunity when I could not see any future for myself.”
32 SAHAS – our fight against modern slavery
Journey of a survivor
In 2019, Sita (name changed) was rescued from a brothel in India, as part of a rescue operation conducted by the Indian police in coordination with Shakti Samuha. Today, Sita is 23 years old and works with Shakti Samuha in one of its shelter homes.
Impact stories from project CLAMP 33
Before she was trafficked, Sita lived in a rural area in Sindhupalchowk district with her family. They worked in agriculture and carpentry. Due to financial problems at home, she dropped out of education in 2013 when she was in class 5 and worked as a child labourer in Kathmandu for 2-3 months. The 2015 Nepal earthquake further pushed the family into the trap of unemployment and poverty. During this time, 17-year-old Sita was approached by a lady who offered her a job in India. Sita turned the offer down at that time but accepted it after a year, since her family was in dire need. The lady fed Sita some food in Kathmandu which made her unconscious and when she woke up, she was on a train to India. At this point, the lady told her that she will be employed as a sex worker in India. “I felt numb and couldn’t believe the situation I was in. We reached a brothel in India where they treated me very well in the beginning, with good food and vitamins. After some days, I was forced to start the work. I tried resisting but that did not work for long. I was only 18 years old. I cannot describe the pain I was in, physically and mentally. I would question my existence in this world and hated myself as it was my mistake to have trusted that lady.” After the rescue, Shakti Samuha placed her in its shelter home and provided her with life skills and counselling sessions to help heal the trauma. As she was originally from Sindhupalchowk district, Shakti Samuha coordinated with the ward office in her community. The ward president finalised the Home Assessment Report and identified the
risks around her home and community to ensure effective social reintegration, in collaboration with CLAMP team. The sensitivity displayed by the local government and BFM committee ensured quick family identification, reintegration and maintenance of confidentiality. Based on her skills, Sita was placed as a cook in Shakti Samuha’s shelter home and today she is able to financially support her family. Currently, the BFM committee and the ward president are coordinating with Shakti Samuha and other stakeholders to provide her with a citizenship card. Sita has also filed a legal case against the perpetrators and one of them has been imprisoned. Sita is enjoying her job and wants to be a social worker in future to help survivors like herself. When she comes across cases like her own in the shelter home, she ends up re-living her traumatic past, but uses meditation and painting to get her enthusiasm and hope back.
34 SAHAS – our fight against modern slavery
Straight from the heart Team CLAMP , I realise how child at a young age of 12 “Having been married h. I was keen ely impact one’s growt tiv ga ne n ca es ag rri ma are, but I lacked and make others aw e nc rie pe ex my e ar to sh gave me both! ble platform. CLAMP ita su a as ll we as e labour, child confidenc modern slavery, child of s ue iss on ng ini d I received tra ledge helps me sprea feguarding. This know sa ild ch d an e ith ag W . rri ity ma e commun ults and children in th been able to awareness among ad an unity’s trust d have mm co e th d ine ga ve rless, and I time, I ha feel confident and fea I . es ag rri ma ild ch prevent many my voice!” will continue to raise akti Samuha obiliser - CLAMP, Sh M l cia So l, sa m La Bimala
“I have been with CL AMP since 2018. Le arning about modern slavery issue s from the life expe riences of survivors of traffick ing has been heart-b reaking, but it has also given me courage to raise my voice against these issue s. Through various ini tia tives, like stakeholders’ co ordination meetings , parents and teachers’ coordin ation meetings, Bene ficiaries Feedback Mechanis m (BFM), etc., as pa rt of the CLAMP project, I ha ve developed a psyc ho social approach to my wo rk. It helps in identi fying people at high-risk of mod ern slavery and to un derstand how the community affects them. Simila rly, I realise how important it is to improve the com m unity’s perspective with re gard to persons with disability.” Samjhana Prasai, District Officer - CL AMP, Shakti Samuha
“In February 2020, AATWIN r and Shakti Samuha (unde l anised another nationa project CLAMP) jointly org of modern slavery. level seminar on the issue parliamentarians, this Attended by honourable ol on of the Palermo Protoc resulted in the ratificati l pa Ne man trafficking) by (UN Protocol against hu all a huge achievement for in March, 2020. This is st ain ag ng rki isations wo AATWIN member organ has enabled stronger P modern slavery. CLAM cy with government networking and advoca we are lobbying together stakeholders. Presently, ard Nepal to formulate Stand with the Government of n, me Wo of try P); the Minis Operation Procedures (SO ed nd po zens has already res Children and Senior Citi positively.” rector, Alliance Against Benu Maya Gurung, Di l And Children In Nepa Trafficking In Woman (AATWIN)
Impact stories from project CLAMP 35
“CLAMP has supported the survivors’ network sin ce its beginning in 2018 plays a big role in makin . The network g the community aware ab out different dimensions trafficking. The network of human is committed to ensuring dignity and rights for survivors and works to influence policy decisions through nationwide advocacy an d lobbying. CLAMP has he lped the survivors’ network to build leadersh ip skills among its memb ers and to act as changemakers in the co mmunity. It has also enab led the inclusion of persons with disabilit y and amplified the disco urse regarding their challenges.” Charimaya Tamang, Co -founder Shakti Samu ha and Coordinator for National Network of Survivors
“CLAMP’s vision is to end modern slavery by building strong community leadership. It builds the capacities of beneficiaries as well as project staff on modern slavery issues, so as to build a common understanding and bring about positive change. After CLAMP’s intervention, modern slavery and child labour incidents have reduced, and more dropout children are being re-enrolled in schools. People interested in foreign employment opportunities now understand the dangers of unsafe migration and thus follow safe processes. Livelihood trainings have minimised the risk of trafficking and child marriage among vulnerable adolescents and adults. Platforms like Beneficiaries Feedback Mechanism (BFM) have mainstreamed the discourse on critical issues and minimised the risks in the community.”
first opportunity to “CLAMP has been my of human trafficking. work with the survivors onship with the Building trusting relati vernment members is community and local go rk. Challenges, such as a crucial part of my wo nt expectations (like the communities’ differe , elihood opportunities) monetary support or liv l unruly and crimina receiving threats from man trafficking, among elements engaged in hu rk. However, we tackle others, hamper the wo My belief in Shakti these and keep going. social transformation Samuha’s approach for like drop-out children and our achievements d young adults starting returning to schools an Nepal, keep me their own businesses in motivated.” biliser- CLAMP, Deepa Aryal, Social Mo Shakti Samuha
Keshab Poudel, District Officer - CLAMP, Shakti Samuha
“CLAMP and collective efforts against modern slavery resulted in the community having a strong voice. People have discovered their strengths and are transitioning from being vulnerable to independent. My own capabilitie s have been enhanced through skillbuilding workshops at Shakti Samuha, facilitated by ChildHope UK. CLAMP, through the Beneficiaries Feedback Mechanisms (BFM), has been bridging the gap created due to non-prioritisation of safeguarding and modern slavery issues. Awareness programmes have significantly prevented vulnerable comm unities from the dangers of trafficking during the COVID-19 pandemic. The commitme nt of Youth Change Agents (YCAs) has made lobbying more impactful. CLAMP has created greater accountability and credibility among relevant stake hold er and beneficiaries.” Sarala Tamang, Project Manager- CLAMP, Shak
ti Samuha
‘The fight to end Modern Slavery is not over yet’.
Contact us for your support: Shakti Samuha, Kathmandu, Nepal http://shaktisamuha.org.np/ ChildHope UK, London, United Kingdom https://www.childhope.org.uk/
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