Blog

By Kate van Doore and Rebecca Nhep

Recent estimates suggest that there are over 40 million victims of modern slavery in the world today. Modern Slavery is an umbrella term encompassing the offences of human trafficking, slavery, debt bondage, forced labour and other slavery-like practices. Due to the scale and the heinous nature of these crimes, a number of countries are strengthening measures to combat modern slavery, including through the introduction of Modern Slavery legislation. Following the lead of the United Kingdom, a parliamentary Inquiry into whether Australia should establish a Modern Slavery Act was held in 2017. One of the foci of the Inquiry was the issue of how Australia contributes to modern slavery through ‘orphanage trafficking’. Australia is a key donor and volunteer sending country with respect to overseas orphanages, or residential care institutions. The Parliamentary Inquiry heard extensive evidence from non-government organisations and academics pertaining to Australia’s potential involvement in orphanage trafficking through the charity, tourism, education and faith-based sectors. Australia is the first government to consider legislating for orphanage trafficking as a form of modern slavery…

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Dear Volunteer, it’s time to end orphanage volunteering and reunite more children with their families. We are excited to share our recent project in collaboration with our friends at The Umbrella Foundation.

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Animation: Surya Sunuwar, Bishnu GC, Binod Guragain, Sujita Maharjan
Background: Sabin K.C.
Story: Imogen Harper & Anju Pun
Music: Imogen Harper
Direction: Binod Guragain
Funding: GoPhilanthropic
Copyright: © The Umbrella Foundation & Forget Me Not

By Emma Brancatisano, ten daily News Reporter

‘They tell stories of being forced to tend to animals, and of being beaten into submission.’

From the outside, it was an impressive compound. Large — about three acres  — yet isolated in the depths of Chitwan National Park, with promises of an education and adequate care.

The odour of urine and unwashed clothes hit Andrea Nave as she walked through the doors…

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This morning, the Modern Slavery Bill was introduced to the Australian Parliament by the Honourable Alex Hawke MP who made special mention of Senator Linda Reynolds for her “genuine passion and dedication to making a positive change in the lives of exploited and trafficked children in for-profit orphanages around the world”.

Here’s why we will not rest. Voices must be heard. Action must be taken. Children belong in families not orphanages.

Thank you to all who have lent their voices to this cause!

You will be proud to know that your support has led 301 children to freedom. Now let’s get them home!

On June 19, we returned from Nepal, following a landmark rescue of 301 children from an abusive orphanage in Nepal’s Chitwan District.

This is the largest orphanage closure ever undertaken in Nepal.

These children were barely surviving on a diet of two-minute noodles. They were freezing through Nepali winters sleeping on hessian blankets. Just two wardens were responsible for the care and protection of all 301 children.

After endless reports of physical and sexual abuse – with authority from the Nepal Government we stepped in to shut the place down.

Young children were forced to undertake hard labour – tending to the 30 buffalo, planting rice and building the orphanage compound.

Every child was threatened to stay silent or be ‘burned in a big fire’.

Despite the threats, some children did try to escape, but the isolated location of the orphanage in Chitwan National Park meant the children were always caught and brought back.

You guessed it, most of these children are not orphans and they want to go home, where they belong.

Our team in Nepal is working to reunify the children with their families, transforming the orphanage into a transit centre.

There is still much work ahead to get these children home to safety and we are calling on your help.

We simply won’t be able to get these children home to their families unless we have considerable support.

Nursing these children back to health, finding their families and  providing the necessary family support to ensure ongoing safety and wellbeing takes considerable funds.

We urgently need at least $100,000 to cover this immediate work.

To help get these children home, please make a tax-deductible donation today.