Help needed urgently

After the excitement and fun of many of my previous postings I have a story that has really reminded me of why we work in Nepal. It is not a nice story but it goes to the heart of the problems faced by the people of this country.

Yesterday, a 15 year old girl contacted CWISH (one of our partners that works with women and children, especially those considered to be ‘at risk’) through their helpline. The girl had been working as a domestic helper in Kathmandu and her employer had supported her studying in a government school in class 8. Her only other family member is her mother, an illiterate woman working as a labourer for a small daily wage in a remote village.

The girl’s mother was recently contacted by the Young Communist League (YCL), a wing of the Maoist Party that is generally responsible for intimidation, extortion, violence and all of the other ‘unpleasant’ tactics the Maoists have used to gain support. The YCL actively recruit other young people to join their ranks, they particularly focus on attracting poor, uneducated villagers who don’t know any better and have little prospects for themselves. The YCL promised the mother that they would provide free education for her daughter and that she should bring her daughter back to the village immediately.

The mother, not knowing any better, went to Kathmandu and convinced her daughter that it would be better for her to return to the village. She told her that she would be given free education without having to work and that this would be a better life for both of them. Once the daughter returned however, she was taken to a camp and allowed no contact with her mother. There, the YCL began a process of indoctrination, teaching the girl such things as how to fire a gun, how to build small bombs, ways to stop vehicles on the highways so that they could be robbed, and other guerilla warfare activities.

Fortunately the girl realised this was not right and she managed to escape, seriously risking her life in the process. She made it back to Kathmandu and sought refuge with some friends. She is unable to return to her employer’s home as they have been under surveillance by the YCL and have been threatened not to help her. She is also unable to return to the village as the punishment for her there would be unthinkable. It is uncertain what may happen to the girl’s mother in the village but she has agreed that her daughter must stay in Kathmandu at all costs. With the support of her friends the girl came to CWISH and requested help to continue her education safely.

CWISH has managed the funds required for her to continue her education in a government school in the short term. However she is also in need of support for a secure residential facility and longer term education prospects. I know we received an overwhelming response the last time I posted details of a girl in a terrible situation, and we are now appealing again for urgent assistance. This girl’s story is horrific but all too common in Nepal. Her courage and determination in escaping the camp and choosing to resume her education is truly inspirational and must be rewarded.

If you, or anyone you know, is able to help this girl please contact me at adam@mitrataa.org.