90% of victims of human trafficking in Nepal never report it to the police.

There are many reasons for this. These girls often don’t understand the legal system or must deal with corrupt police and immigration officers. They worry that no one will want to marry them, and their families put pressure on them not to go the authorities. They are threatened by the human traffickers or are harassed by the police. Even if they do bring their cases to the police, it can take many years to be filed and this can seem daunting. SASANE works to empower these women to file cases by providing paralegal training to victims so that they can understand the legal system. These girls then go to different states around the country so that they can provide legal counsel to victims there, as well as sending girls to shelters and hospitals if needed. Thus these girls are empowered to help other girls in their situation. The organization had been recommended to me as a great place to stay and be a part of for my time here, and I’m so glad I have.

The interns, Laxmi and I out on my first day.

In a mountain village with Shyam, the director of SASANE

As I live at the SASANE headquarters while in Kathmandu, I have been learning just how much they are up against, but also how much courage these girls and the workers at SASANE have. They are now also working on a tourist guide program, so that all of the girls who are paralegal certified can also be tour guides to foreigners who come to visit Nepal and SASANE. This would make the program more sustainable and hopefully give the girls a steady income, but there’s a lot to do. They must learn English and study the sites in this new language– most of these girls came from villages outside the city and are learning about Kathmandu while at the same time learning to be more confident after what they have gone through.

One of the paralegals making us lunch in her home in a mountain village

During my time here I have gotten to help a small amount with lessons and organizing the tourist guide program, but mostly I have just gotten to enjoy the kindness and generosity of my hosts. The SASANE building has bedrooms on the top floor so that it can also function as a hostel, although only girls are allowed as overnight guests or volunteers. I have been receiving home-cooked Nepali meals every day, learning how to make Momos (Nepali-style potstickers) with Laxmi and Indira, playing with Indira’s daughter, and they always go with me to see new sites or invite me to go with them to the market. This has allowed me to see Nepal less through a tourist’s eyes, but more through a local’s. Generally when we go out I’m the only foreigner around, and that’s an experience I’m grateful for. My time here would be so different if I had stayed in a hostel or hotel in the tourist district- Thamel, so I will always be thankful for the support and eye-opening opportunities I have received from my friends at SASANE. If anyone wants to learn more about them, just go to their website http://sasane.org.np/

Making momos at SASANE

Indira’s adorable daughter