At EDM we are so blessed with our partnering organisations. This space of trafficking interception and restorative work is only possible because of the relationship/partnership we have with Aashish Social Services Nepal. (ASSN)
ASSN is an incorporated, grassroots, indigenous Nepali social welfare NGO that has a long-term history of social advocacy around antitrafficking in Nepal. It was established in 2006 to support vulnerable girls to access a brighter future.
Their mission – to interrupt and eradicate human trafficking from Nepal.
ASSN fit so well with our EDM team. Our team had been active in Nepal for 12 years (at the time of writing) serving remote villages in areas of community development and responding to humanitarian crises, such as earthquakes, floods, and the covid-19 famine.
During this time, our team became more and more aware of Nepal’s human trafficking problem. Trafficking situations were happening right in front of us, and we couldn’t just stand by and do nothing. Our deep love for the Nepali people created a strong desire within us to want to do something tangible to make a difference for the daughters of Nepal.
Once you know, and fully comprehend the reality of such evil you cannot in good conscience do nothing!
Experience has taught us that the best way to carry out inter-country aid is always through partnerships. We sought to partner with and support a local organisation that aligned with our vision to eradicate trafficking and empower the vulnerable, and so the search for such a partner began.
We were looking for a partner who had integrity, and who was genuinely in the work for the benefit of the at-risk community, not for their own financial gain. One whose work showcased effectiveness and sustainability, with consistent results.
The search process was not without its disappointments. The first NGO we investigated was promising initially, but under further investigation, we learned the awful truth that the facilitator was not only defrauding the sponsors he had, but he was also abusing the girls in his care. Utterly disappointed, we made the necessary reports and returned to our search. There are a lot of different small organisations, but the right partner is so important as it is foundational to the work we do.
Through valued partners in our Child Sponsorship programme, we were connected with a man named Ps Yubaraj B.K.
Ps Yubaraj had a 12-year history of working in antitrafficking. He had spearheaded a small grassroots-based NGO called Aashish Social Services Nepal, Aashish – meaning ‘Blessing’, and was running one interception booth in a Bus Park, and housing intercepted girls from that booth while helping them rehabilitate. He had also established an office for ASSN to operate out of and was well-regarded by local officials and the community alike. We saw the evidence of a well-executed process that was consistently achieving solid results and remarkably, this man was largely self-funding the entire work from his own pocket. His heart and the heart of his small team were to see girls rescued and this evil stopped, no matter the personal cost. This was his life’s work.
We could see the proof of not only their integrity but also that they had experience, longevity, and personal commitment to the work. This was a great testimony, in that this team really did have the knowledge and skill set to make a lasting impact. What they didn’t have, was enough support to enable the work to grow and intercept more girls. This was the deciding factor.
ASSN had a proven strategy and methodology that was tried and tested. The local knowledge to be able to work at a grassroots level, ensuring that respecting culture and country was not something that would be compromised by foreigners coming into the space. What they needed was help with project management and resources.
We could see how quickly this might take off, and to be honest, it was a scary proposition and a big commitment to tackle. Did we have the scope to take this on? Manpower, reach, and resources? Could our network meet the need, and would we be able to keep up if it took off? Knowing that once we stepped in, we had a responsibility to keep going. No backing out! We could see the potential and strapped on our running shoes in preparation.
Now 2 years in, we have7 Booths with number 8 in the works and Booths 9 through to 13 approved and in process … it’s growing rapidly!!
We are heavily involved with project management on the field and support the work on the front line. The EDM team provides the management structure and tools. We resource and fund the ASSN teams to carry out the work they do.
It’s a collaborative approach to all field areas like booth locations, safe houses, and community education. The partnership works because each bring our strengths to the table.
For us, it’s project management, networking, resourcing, and equipping, and training.
For our ASSN partners, its intimate location knowledge, and partnerships with community leaders and governments. It’s cultural awareness and a deeper understanding of what’s actually needed from the viewpoint of looking from the inside out.
Here in Australia, our networking team, along with sponsors and business partners allows us to use our platform to elevate the voice of the women of Nepal and tell the stories of the 20,000 Nepal daughters each year who are at risk of being lost to trafficking.
It’s not that these young women don’t have a voice, they do, but their stories aren’t told in spaces where hearing them can enact change on a global scale.
We can testify to the transformative power awareness has on situations of injustice. We are so honoured that through the collaborative network of intercepted young women, the indigenous ASSN team, and our Australian team, we are able to elevate their stories in a way that empowers these young women to affect change beyond their own circumstance or limitations.
We are effectively two organisations that work as one. We work together with the shared vision of irradicating human trafficking in Nepal.
In Australia, EDM has two full-time staff and three part-time staff.
ASSN personnel are funded by EDM, and at the time of writing, we have 31 staff employed in Nepal.
For every new Booth that is established, we employ 3 more trained counsellors. Sometimes these are women who were themselves intercepted, have completed six months’ training at one of our Safe Houses and have a strong desire to rescue others. We provide the training needed for them to step into counsellor positions and take up employment in our interception booths.
We are so blessed to have partners on the ground who are so invested or even more, personally invested in the outcome and success of the work. This partnership ensures that the work begun in Nepal will continue long into the future.
