Lost Children of the Himalayas

This isn’t a true story…

but it’s based on far too many true stories…

many of them more tragic than this.

Anandi is 18 years old Her name means joyful in Nepali

She was born in a poor rural area Her father was one of the 12,000 killed in the Maoist revolution (1996 – 2006) Her family were forced to flee their land to the slums of a nearby town where joy was in very short supply

Anandi’s mother struggled to feed the family A man came to the village offering work in India He promised Anandi would have plenty of food and a better life He paid $30 and took Anandi away from everyone and everywhere she knew

The man took Anandi across the border into India and sold her to a brothel owner in Dehli In the brothel Anandi was beaten, starved and raped until she submitted to becoming a prostitute Anandi was 9 years old!

Currently at least 10,000 Nepali girls are “trafficked” – sold as sex slaves each year. Around 200,000 Nepali women are working as prostitutes in India alone

There are also 1.4 million Nepali children working as bonded laborers at hard, dangerous jobs.

Anandi escaped from the brothel after six months She was caught by the police who rather than helping her, arrested her, assaulted her and returned her to the brothel.

Anandi worked another 6 years in the brothel She managed to save a little money In 2007, at the age of 17, Anandi escaped again This time she managed to travel back to Nepal

Back in her village, Anandi was condemned for being a prostitute People were scared that she had HIV/Aids and could pass it on Anandi felt rejected and depressed, returning to prostitution in Nepal seemed to be her only choice.

Anandi visited a health clinic in a nearby village run by CARE AND SHARE – a partner of TEAR Fund NZ.Anandi visited a health clinic in a nearby village run by CARE AND SHARE – a partner of TEAR Fund NZ. At the clinic Anandi was screened for HIV/Aids and Tuberculosis and miraculously was found free of both.At the clinic Anandi was screened for HIV/Aids and Tuberculosis and miraculously was found free of both. Anandi was given counselling and acceptanceAnandi was given counselling and acceptance

A huge proportion of prostitutes in India and Nepal are less fortunate dying from HIV/Aids, tuberculosis or a combination of diseases.A huge proportion of prostitutes in India and Nepal are less fortunate dying from HIV/Aids, tuberculosis or a combination of diseases.

Through SHARE AND CARE Anandi is learning to readThrough SHARE AND CARE Anandi is learning to read She is learning to stand up for her rights as a womanShe is learning to stand up for her rights as a woman She is also learning a job skill so that she can find employment as a hair dresserShe is also learning a job skill so that she can find employment as a hair dresser

Through Share and Care Nepal Anandi has also experienced the love of JesusThrough Share and Care Nepal Anandi has also experienced the love of Jesus

For the first time since her early childhood In spite of the deep emotional scars which will never entirely disappear Anandi is living up to her name. Anandi is joyful.

“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” Proverbs 31: 8-9

TEAR Fund says NO to Trafficking by:TEAR Fund says NO to Trafficking by: Raising awareness of child traffickingRaising awareness of child trafficking Providing education for girlsProviding education for girls Counselling and treating victims of traffickingCounselling and treating victims of trafficking Capacity building with local governmentCapacity building with local government Job training for trafficked victimsJob training for trafficked victims Lobbying government to enforce anti trafficking lawsLobbying government to enforce anti trafficking laws Improving parents ability to produce food and incomeImproving parents ability to produce food and income Creating jobs through Microenterprise projectsCreating jobs through Microenterprise projects

Please support the work of Share and Care Nepal Use the payment form in the TEAR Fund Christmas Focus Brochure Or you can donate on line –