Untold Stories from Nepal
Your support can change someone’s story
Nepali women, children and their families share about the horrors of trafficking and modern slavery—and how the kindness of people like you helped to change their stories, restoring their hope, freedom and future.
Content trigger warnings: physical and sexual violence, suicide, child loss
“She needed a lot of medical assistance but no-one wanted to help her.”
Hasri’s* early years were not filled with the joy and love her innocent soul deserved. After her mother died, she was raised by her grandmother in a small village in the foothills of the Himalayas.
“Everything was clean and there was running water at the house, it was like I was in the Royal family.”
Raju grew up in one of the most remote regions of Nepal. A picturesque, mountainous village with no running water or electricity and limited education and healthcare facilities. He would make a daily pilgrimage to collect water from a spring located 5km down the mountain.
“I remember being scared but my friends protected me.”
Feba’s* harrowing journey began when she was just four-months-old when a devastating landslide swept through her village, leaving her an orphan.
Thankfully 3 Angels Nepal were able to intervene and embraced her into their care at one of the vulnerable children’s homes.
“I hated my parents for leaving me, for not loving me. I felt so sad.”
At just five years old, Monorohi* was abandoned by her parents on the streets of Pokhara.
Left to fend for herself, find shelter and food, she was scared and hungry.
“I had to do everything I was told, I lived in constant fear.”
At the tender age of 13 Neha was sold into a sham marriage and forced to work on building sites where she was abused by her co-workers.
She still remembers the day her…
“There was no-one to look after us.”
Shalva’s parents did everything they could to give him a carefree childhood and an education.
His father worked tirelessly as a labourer on building sites, saving every…
“I did not feel anything good, all day I was sad.”
At just six years old Ditya* was forced to make and sell alcohol by her aunt.
She was denied the opportunity to go to school and was instead kept as a slave by the family…
“My life has changed … I am happy now.”
Ceta* sat alone and frightened on a cold floor.
The darkness was overwhelming. She couldn’t see her own hands, shaking from hunger and despair.
How long had she been here, in this darkness? One week? Maybe two?
“My family feared for my future.”
Mira* was born into the Chepang Tribe, one of the most isolated and poorest communities in Nepal.
Her family battled poverty and malnutrition daily. Mostly, they avoided starvation by surviving on tree roots.
“Sarita, you have been SOLD.”
Sarita* stared at the man from her village. His words bounced away from her—she couldn’t understand them. Her body ached all over; her mind ached. She wanted to sleep. She wanted to go home. She wanted to hold her baby boy.
“Home is family. It’s a place where there is love.”
Sejun* was just three years old and living in a cold, Nepali prison.
His mother had been convicted of using and selling drugs. His father was nowhere to be found. Life in prison was never what his mother wanted for her precious boy.
“Their support helped me become who I am today.”
Yogesh is proud to be the Vulnerable Children’s Homes Program Manager with 3 Angels Nepal.
Yet once upon a time, Yogesh himself was one of the vulnerable children who sought urgent refuge at the homes.
“I am excited to run this shop—and to teach others.”
Geeta* hums softly while she sews.
With every stitch, the young Nepali woman is reminded of how significantly her life has changed in just a few years—since she was rescued from trafficking along the India-Nepal border.
“I saw my husband counting money … and I got scared“
My name is Tarla* and I am from a remote part of Western Nepal. I am now with 3 Angels, where I am very happy, but I have a very sad story. I don’t like to share or tell many people, but I would like to tell you today.
“This trafficker took advantage of us“
Jana* was afraid of the man at the door. She shushed her younger brothers and listened as he talked to her mother. She desperately wished her older brother was there to tell this man to go, to protect the family. But he was far away, working in Saudi Arabia.
“I was totally shattered.”
As a young girl from a low caste, living with a disability, Saili* was vulnerable—even at school, where she should have been safe. She was just 14 years old when she was raped by a staff member at school. She didn’t know where to turn. Her parents were powerless to protect her.
“When my mother was gone, my father raped me“
My name is Malari*. My story begins when I was just a young girl. I loved going to school and desperately wanted to continue. But for me to continue my education, my family needed money. We did not even have proper food at home.
“I wanted to give up and take my life.”
Dwani* had no choice in her marriage. One day, a man visited her village to speak with her parents and her life was changed by a conversation in which she had no voice. “They made an arrangement I didn’t like—but that’s what we have to do, as daughters,” Dwani says.
“My life has a new beginning”
Ashra* was held captive in the brothel for a year before she fled. Seasonal festivities provided a perfect distraction for her escape. She found refuge, education, and support to rebuild her life at the 3 Angels women’s safe haven.
“She needed a lot of medical assistance but no-one wanted to help her.”
Hasri’s* early years were not filled with the joy and love her innocent soul deserved. After her mother died, she was raised by her grandmother in a small village in the foothills of the Himalayas.
“Everything was clean and there was running water at the house, it was like I was in the Royal family.”
Raju grew up in one of the most remote regions of Nepal. A picturesque, mountainous village with no running water or electricity and limited education and healthcare facilities. He would make a daily pilgrimage to collect water from a spring located 5km down the mountain.
“I remember being scared but my friends protected me.”
Feba’s* harrowing journey began when she was just four-months-old when a devastating landslide swept through her village, leaving her an orphan.
Thankfully 3 Angels Nepal were able to intervene and embraced her into their care at one of the vulnerable children’s homes.
“I hated my parents for leaving me, for not loving me. I felt so sad.”
At just five years old, Monorohi* was abandoned by her parents on the streets of Pokhara.
Left to fend for herself, find shelter and food, she was scared and hungry.
“I had to do everything I was told, I lived in constant fear.”
At the tender age of 13 Neha was sold into a sham marriage and forced to work on building sites where she was abused by her co-workers.
She still remembers the day her…
“There was no-one to look after us.”
Shalva’s parents did everything they could to give him a carefree childhood and an education.
His father worked tirelessly as a labourer on building sites, saving every…
“I did not feel anything good, all day I was sad.”
At just six years old Ditya* was forced to make and sell alcohol by her aunt.
She was denied the opportunity to go to school and was instead kept as a slave by the family…
“I am excited to run this shop—and to teach others.”
Ceta* sat alone and frightened on a cold floor.
The darkness was overwhelming. She couldn’t see her own hands, shaking from hunger and despair.
How long had she been here, in this darkness? One week? Maybe two?
“My family feared for my future.”
Mira* was born into the Chepang Tribe, one of the most isolated and poorest communities in Nepal.
Her family battled poverty and malnutrition daily. Mostly, they avoided starvation by surviving on tree roots.
“Sarita, you have been SOLD.”
Sarita* stared at the man from her village. His words bounced away from her—she couldn’t understand them. Her body ached all over; her mind ached. She wanted to sleep. She wanted to go home. She wanted to hold her baby boy.
“Home is family. It’s a place where there is love.”
Sejun* was just three years old and living in a cold, Nepali prison.
His mother had been convicted of using and selling drugs. His father was nowhere to be found. Life in prison was never what his mother wanted for her precious boy.
“Their support helped me become who I am today.”
Yogesh is proud to be the Vulnerable Children’s Homes Program Manager with 3 Angels Nepal.
Yet once upon a time, Yogesh himself was one of the vulnerable children who sought urgent refuge at the homes.
“My life has changed … I am happy now.”
Geeta* hums softly while she sews.
With every stitch, the young Nepali woman is reminded of how significantly her life has changed in just a few years—since she was rescued from trafficking along the India-Nepal border.
“I saw my husband counting money … and I got scared“
My name is Tarla* and I am from a remote part of Western Nepal. I am now with 3 Angels, where I am very happy, but I have a very sad story. I don’t like to share or tell many people, but I would like to tell you today.
“This trafficker took advantage of us“
Jana* was afraid of the man at the door. She shushed her younger brothers and listened as he talked to her mother. She desperately wished her older brother was there to tell this man to go, to protect the family. But he was far away, working in Saudi Arabia.
“I was totally shattered.”
As a young girl from a low caste, living with a disability, Saili* was vulnerable—even at school, where she should have been safe. She was just 14 years old when she was raped by a staff member at school. She didn’t know where to turn. Her parents were powerless to protect her.
“When my mother was gone, my father raped me“
My name is Malari*. My story begins when I was just a young girl. I loved going to school and desperately wanted to continue. But for me to continue my education, my family needed money. We did not even have proper food at home.
“I wanted to give up and take my life.”
Dwani* had no choice in her marriage. One day, a man visited her village to speak with her parents and her life was changed by a conversation in which she had no voice. “They made an arrangement I didn’t like—but that’s what we have to do, as daughters,” Dwani says.
“My life has a new beginning”
Ashra* was held captive in the brothel for a year before she fled. Seasonal festivities provided a perfect distraction for her escape. She found refuge, education, and support to rebuild her life at the 3 Angels women’s safe haven.