After years of abuse, violence and three miscarriages , the relationship with her husband ended . To be a middle-class woman from Nepal, and then in the 80s she managed to make a living as an English teacher and divorced from that tragic life she once lived. But life itself put into its words the purpose and responsibility of changing other lives. Here we are going to know a little of the courageous path of Anuradha Koirala.
Anuradha put a portion of his monthly salary of $ 100 to start a small retail store to employ and support displaced victims of sex trafficking and domestic violence. In the early 1990s he realized that there was much more that had to be done that forced the creation of Maiti Nepal, which was formed by Anuradha together with a group of professionals It consists of teachers, journalists and social workers. This incredible story of the protection of the weakest is a fact on the part of a person with a big heart.
Anuradha Koirala and the creation of Maiti Nepal
Maiti, means Mother's House therefore, the foundation of Maiti Nepal is based on providing the security of being in the arms of her mother to victims of sexual slavery, domestic violence, child labor and prostitution. To provide some perspective, in Nepal, girls from 6 years of age are at risk of being trafficked through the border with India for sexual prostitution.
Geeta was 14 years old when she was rescued by the police and taken to Maiti Nepal. She had been sold to a prostitute in India at the age of 9 by a family member. The relative deceived Geeta's mother with visual impairment by offering her that her daughter was going to get a job at a clothing company. The typical day of this girl was to put on makeup, stay until 2 AM and have sex with up to 60 men.
“I used to be very sad and frustrated with what was happening in my life, ” said Geeta.
Anuradha Koirala, through Maiti Nepal has helped more than 12, 000 women and girls in Nepal since 1993, who have a history similar to Geeta . At 61, the woman has led this revolution of change by attacking brothels, patrolling the border between India and Nepal and providing safe housing and support services.
His work is often dangerous and requires great personal sacrifice. Criminal elements are looking for young girls and are a ruthless enemy, they also have political connections at the highest level in India and Nepal . The main office of Maiti Nepal in Kathmandu has been destroyed twice, causing Maiti workers to travel with bodyguards when supervision of rescue missions arrives in India.
However, the road to recovery is not built through a concrete slab, it is a long journey for the victim individually with the support of the Maiti Nepal institution. Anuradha Koirala explains that brothel girls arrive empty-handed, sick, in many cases pregnant or with young children and psychologically broken.
“When the girls arrive in Maiti Nepal, they never ask questions. We let them be themselves for as long as they need. We let them play, dance, walk, talk to a friend, ”said Anuradha. "They are afraid at first, but eventually they will talk to us on their own."
Maiti Nepal also provides a full post-rescue recovery where medical, psychological and legal treatment, formal court documents and criminal prosecution are included, and all for free.
The majority of volunteer workers are rescued girls and young women who are healthy enough to work. "They need little incentive from me, " says Anuradha . “They are working to help their sisters and know the horror of the victims. ” In addition, Maiti Nepal obtains assistance funds through grants and donations from around the world.
While some of the girls are able to return to their families, many of them in particular those with HIV / AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases are socially stigmatized and are no longer welcome in their home communities. For these girls, Maiti Nepal becomes their new, and possibly unique and last home.
AUTHOR: JoT333, editor of the hermandadblanca.org family
