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
“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.
“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?
“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.
“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.
“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 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 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.
“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.
“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.
“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.
“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?
“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.
“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.
“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 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 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.
“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.
“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.