Untold Stories. And, Jewelry, of Course!

There is an amazing facility in Nepal. It is nestled in the mountains of this beautiful country. It is called Maiti Nepal.

Maiti Nepal has many programs that work towards the prevention of girl trafficking, rescue, rehabilitation, and integration back into society. These programs include advocacy, anti-trafficking safety networks, creating awareness, community programs, gainful employment, hospice, prevention homes, the promotion of safe migration, rehabilitation homes, rescue and transit homes. In a country where human trafficking thrives, this organization is doing it’s part to work against this evil practice.

Over a year ago we received a video called “The Day My God Died” from Maiti Nepal.

We watched it.

We were changed.

It details the situation of human trafficking in countries like Nepal and India. It tells horrific stories of abuse and inspiring stories of hope. There are stories of girls who have been rescued, and who continue to survive each day. Many of these girls go on to actually do the work of rescuing girls who are actively being trafficked.

But Maiti Nepal also does something else that we have never heard of another organization doing. We didn’t realize this service existed until we watched this video. They do something that we never thought of doing ourselves. They have opened two hospice centers. Because the harsh reality is girls die because they are trafficked. Some die while enslaved, some die after their rescue. Either way, lives are lost because of this horrific practice. There are 27 million people currently enslaved. That number does not include the number of former slaves who are no longer living because they were enslaved.

Maiti Nepal has established two hospice centers, one in Kathmandu and one in Jhapa. These centers work to provide holistic care for the children and women who are terminally ill, or suffering from various diseases. Hospice emphasizes palliative care rather than curative treatment.

Sonja Kill Memorial Hospice located at Gokarna of Kathmandu District provides necessary care and support for survivors whose families and society have stigmatized and outcasted. The Hospice centers have the capacity to care for 43 individuals and to and provide medical treatment to survivors who are infected with HIV/AIDS, Multi Drug Resistance Tuberculosis, Hepatitis and other chronic diseases. An isolation unit with capacity of 3 beds also has been operating since January 2006.

We have heard, and we have told many, many stories. We have told stories of heroines who are working all over the world to prevent human trafficking, and we have seen the sweet faces of the children who could potentially be lost if they were not part of a prevention program. We have heard and told stories of the courageous individuals who have been trafficked, who lived enslaved, and have gone on to not only survive, but thrive. But it seems as if the stories of those who have left this earth are not told.

We refuse to let them go forgotten.

We wanted to do something special for them. Since I personally watched the video “The Day My God Died” I was touched and moved in a different way by these women. To be abused and exploited in the way these women and children are is so horrific. But, then for them to have to live in the knowledge that they will now die because of what others have done to their bodies is something I don’t think I will ever be able wrap by brain around. When we watched that video, we really, really wanted those women who are now dying to know that their lives matter.
Beyond sending funds to Maiti Nepal for the hospice center, we wanted to do something special for each individual woman. Again, jewelry came to mind.

On May 30, 2009, we will hold another special event. We will gather at the Lutheran Church of the Resurrection in Yardley, PA (1700 Makefield Road) from 10am until 2pm to make jewelry for women who are residing in the hospice centers in Nepal. There will be a very simple pattern to follow, and all the supplies will be purchased ahead of time and available for you. All you have to do is come and put beads on wire. Literally. Beads. Wire. 4 hours. So much dignity.

We wanted to do something special and above all we wanted to tell these women that they matter. Regardless of what was done to their bodies, and regardless of the fact that they will leave this earth because of this, they matter. We can’t be there with them to tell them this. We can’t cure the horrible diseases that they have. We can’t change their past. But even in all of this tragedy there is room for hope, there is room to make a difference. Our hope is that through this jewelry, that will be specially and lovingly made just for them, that they can leave this earth with a little more dignity, grace, and hope. We hope they can leave knowing that others across the world were touched simply by the fact that they existed. We hope they leave knowing that they matter.

There is a moment in the video when the woman who directs and founded Maiti Nepal says “Please tell the world about my girls.”

And so, we’re just doing our part in her request.

Please join us on the 30th of May. If you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail us at info@bethechangefoundation.org.