ASSN/EDM operates primarily as border surveillance and interception along the Indo – Nepal border. Once intercepted, each daughter is given respite in our emergency shelters for up to 5 days. Either she will be collected by family, or a safe support person. But what happens to the girls intercepted who for whatever reason aren’t able to return home?
Across our catchment areas, we are actively intercepting an average of 150 daughters a month. While many can be rehabilitated back within their home communities there are also some who have nowhere to go.
Some of these daughters have experienced extreme hardship, some have been abused, and others are at high risk of repeated trafficking if they were to be returned to where they were from.
To address the need for not only shelter but also of care and healing, EDM in partnership with ASSN, has established Safe Houses. These are places prepped to save, restore, and equip young women to be able to rebuild their lives in a manner that is safe and supported through care programs.
The Safe Houses function holistically, crafted to meet needs that are both physical, emotional and spiritual – immediate and ongoing. Counselling and rehabilitation are offered to girls who are traumatised. Often this is the first experience of being heard and valued that many of these daughters have had. We seek to ensure these precious ones know they are worthy of love, of respect and of dignity.
As daughters heal, they are also given the opportunity to learn life skills and trade skills to have more autonomy over their own futures.
These houses provide long term (approx. 6 months) accommodation and care for intercepted girls and also for some who are from marginalised communities and are in vulnerable high-risk situations that sees them likely to fall prey to trafficking or bonded labour.
Each house has accommodation for up to 20 young women. Girls who meet the criteria (cannot safely return home, or are in need of intense assistance) are invited into the program.
The Safe Houses are “homes.” Daughters live with counsellors on site who provide mentorship, care and facilitate the counselling and workshops that take place.
Areas of focus for each daughter in the program include communications skills, self-esteem and self-worth workshops, teaching and instruction in basic human rights and women’s rights under the law.
Ongoing counselling is given to address the area of healing from trauma and emotional health.
The residents participate in the running of the home – cooking, cleaning, and other chores to develop life skills and have a sense of belonging and ownership during their stay.
Our residents have the opportunity to participate in special events such as International Women’s Day, and Nepal Anti-human Trafficking Day.
In effort to combat low education and poor employment opportunities, our residents are able to train in textiles and apparel through our sewing and embroidery training. Not only will they learn the skills needed to craft saleable items, but they also receive training in Finance and Administration in preparation for running a small business.
For those that show desire and aptitude, there is also the opportunity to train in social work to become an ASSN counsellor. Here we see the rescued becoming the rescuers.
In addition, our residents are welcome to attend the local church (if they choose) and build relationships in the community.
Once the resident has completed her stay and graduated from our program, she has several options available to her. As no two daughters and no two cases are identical, the pathway taken will vary widely based on the situation and capacity of each individual.
A daughter may choose to :
- Start their own small tailoring/sewing business
- Train as an ASSN Counsellor and work in a Border Surveillance Booth
- Finish their schooling
- Return home (transition is supported by ASSN)
- Explore other educational opportunities (with the help of ASSN)
- Explore other employment opportunities (with the help of ASSN)
Our goal is to see these daughters thrive, so ongoing support is offered.
Currently we have 2 fully functioning Safe Houses connected to our seven Booths. Occupancy rates vary. At times when we are at full capacity but have need to accommodate more daughters, we network with other trusted local partners to provide refuge and support.
As we continue to grow and our interception rates increase, we will have need of expanding our Safe Houses in to other regions to support the work of the counsellors there and see more daughters able to benefit from the rehabilitation programs run through them.
