Our Partnership with Next Generation Nepal

Over 85% of children living in “orphanages” in Nepal have living parents.  Orphanage trafficking began during Nepal’s 10-year civil conflict (1996-2006) during which children who were displaced from their families were placed by traffickers in exploitative institutional care, and mushroomed again after the 2015 earthquake.  Traffickers take advantage of the aspirations of rural families who want their children to have a good education by promising parents that their children will be well cared for.  For-profit orphanages are a lucrative business model, financially supported by well-intentioned foreign volunteers and donors who are touched by the tragic stories that the traffickers tell about the children.  Rural families need to understand the manipulative tactics that traffickers use to lure children into exploitative situations.

We’re partnering with Next Generation Nepal to stop child trafficking before it starts.  The Child and Family Protection Project prevents family separation and child trafficking by raising awareness among families, local government and protection committees in Nepal’s Kalikot District.  Awareness campaigns include radio ads, posters, community meetings and street dramas.  These campaigns help families and children to understand the manipulative tactics of traffickers and how they can avoid becoming victims.  In addition, street dramas convey messaging in ways that are compelling and culturally relevant.  All campaigns are run in collaboration with and by request of local governments in areas considered high-risk for trafficking due to rugged terrain and isolation.