Anuradha Koirala is a 61 year-old Indian woman who has rescued over 12,00 girls from sex traffickers in India and Nepal. TWELVE THOUSAND! For 16 years this modern day saint has been fighting the sex trade kidnappers who lure young girls away from their families with promises of good jobs and a steady income.
Koirala came to this work after leaving an abusive relationship of her own. Once she was able to get away from the man who had battered her for years and caused her to have three miscarriages she decided to do something to help other women who were suffering, too. So she donated part of her meager monthly salary to start a small retail shop where victims of domestic violence and sex traffickers could work and get a new start.
Soon after, her work expanded when she started an organization called Maiti Nepal to deal with the frightening escalation of violence towards women. Maiti Nepal, which means “Mother’s Home” today provides shelter, refuge, legal defense and rehabilitation to victims of sex trafficking, rape and domestic violence. Their work has led to the convictions of many who looked to make sex slaves out of children as young as 8 and 9.
The ultimate goal of Maiti Nepal is to help these girls to heal and become financially independent and reintegrated into society. It’s no small task. The girls who come to her are emotionally and psychologically broken. Koirala gives them time and space to trust and heal and offers comprehensive services including medical treatment, psychological counseling, legal defense and criminal prosecution — all for free.
Many of the counselors at Maiti Nepal are sex trafficking survivors themselves who have dedicated their own lives to helping the new residents recover and do what they can to stop the traffickers once and for all. One of the most important ways that Koirala and her crew impact this deplorable situation is through community outreach and prevention.
She and a group of 50 survivors go into the villages and city slums where young girls are targeted to teach families about the dangers and realities of the sex trade business. They board busses entering India from Nepal and take the children bound for brothels off. They raid the brothels themselves and hold out a hand to anyone in need. Their daily patrols of the border crossing points save an average of four Nepali girls a day!
These women demonstrate amazing levels of courage and compassion and if you are looking for an organization to support, please consider Maiti Nepal. There are many ways to get involved and they can surely use your help. Any donations will be greatly appreciated.
You can learn more about Anuradha Koirala and Maiti Nepal by visiting their website. The world is blessed by her presence and the work of this marvelous organization.
P.S. Koirala has been nominated as a CNN Hero of the Year. You can vote for her here.
P.P.S. As of this printing we have found out that she won!! congratulations, Koirala!
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