Lost Children of - Next Generation Nepal

Bringing Home the
Lost Children of
Nepal
Report on 2010
Namaste!
Each time I travel to Nepal I am struck by the contrast between the stunning beauty and the crushing poverty—the harsh
reality faced by tens of thousands of children and families displaced by a 10-year civil war. The magnificent Himalaya so
familiar to trekkers can sometimes divert attention from the urgent and overwhelming need to address the consequences
of child trafficking and bring home the lost children of Nepal. But 2010 was a pivotal year for Next Generation Nepal and
we are working every day to identify children at risk, bring them to safety, find their parents and rebuild family unity.
Since I assumed leadership of NGN in 2009, our small staff and an army
of dedicated supporters, volunteers and partners have marked milestones and
achieved goals far beyond my wildest hopes. And although I still lay awake
at night pondering the challenges that await us, we power on with skill and
determination and a clear vision of children with reliable family relationships
living in communities that support their education, health and safety.
Many lost children moved closer to home with the help of NGN in 2010 and
we are grateful that scores of people want to help. On behalf of all of us
at NGN and all the children that have been impacted by your support, we
thank you and look forward to hearing from many more of you in the future.
Warm regards,
Hallie Tamez
Executive Director
Photos: Cover by Erik B. Wilson, opposite and above by Larry Closs
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What We Do
Next Generation Nepal preserves family unity and
strengthens communities by reconnecting trafficked
children with their parents, families and culture in
post-conflict Nepal.
We achieve this by:
• Searching remote regions to find families of children taken by
traffickers with false promises of safety and education
• Reconnecting these children with their families through regular
communication and visits
• Caring for them in transition homes that offer safety and security
• Reinforcing local community support for safe reunification
whenever possible
In partnership with local and international organizations, NGN
envisions a Nepal free from the threat of child trafficking and
strengthened by thriving agricultural regions populated by
generations of children living with their families in stable, safe
communities.
Photos: Opposite and above by Erik B. Wilson
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Who We Are
Next Generation Nepal reconnects trafficked
children with their families in partnership with The
Himalayan Innovative Society (THIS), our local Nepal
NGO program implementation partner. With offices
in Kathmandu and Humla, the remote mountain
district where many of the children in NGN’s care
originate, THIS strives to help locals make informed
decisions about regional development and to create
opportunities for children by improving education,
providing scholarships and stimulating school
enrollment. Together, NGN and THIS conduct thorough
assessments of village conditions and family capacities
in addition to monitoring child visits, all in an effort to
permanently reintegrate as many children as possible
with their home communities.
Photos: Opposite and above by Erik B. Wilson
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Children begin a new life with NGN. We care
for them as if they were our very own.
-Bertille Audard
NGN Volunteer, France
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Accomplishments
Karnali Home 1, Kathmandu
Opened in 2007, NGN’s transitional home for
trafficked children in Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu,
was named by the children themselves after the
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Karnali River, the vital water source that runs
through their home villages in Humla. Karnali 1
is a pivotal element in NGN’s approach and
programs, offering a safe refuge for children
trafficked to Kathmandu as we begin the process
of family reconnection. In 2010, anywhere from
eight to 30 children under NGN’s guardianship
called Karnali 1 home and were cared for by two
full-time house parents, a cook and several longterm volunteers, all of whom were dedicated
to providing emotional security, food, clothing,
education and healthcare as well as facilitating
regular communication with their families.
Photos: Opposite and above by Erik B. Wilson
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The Himalayan Innovative Society is honored to be Next Generation
Nepal’s local partner in running children’s homes and reunification
projects as well as the Humla education initiative.
- DB Lama
The Himalayan Innovative Society
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Accomplishments
Karnali Home 2, Simikot, Humla
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In December 2009, NGN commissioned the construction
of a new transitional home for children in Simikot, regional
headquarters of the remote Humla district where most of
the trafficked children in NGN’s care are from. Built of local
stone and timber, the two-story house can accommodate
up to 30 children and features an office, storage room,
classroom and interior bathrooms as well as an adjoining
kitchen, courtyard and quarters for house parents.
Supporting the reintegration process is a small adjacent
plot of land where the children cultivate root vegetables
under the supervision of a local parent. The facility was
completed in March 2010, furnished, staffed and ready
to welcome its first residents. For NGN, the home is a
strategic new base of operations necessary to the process
of reconnecting and reintegrating local children who had
been trafficked to Kathmandu.
Photos: Opposite and above by Larry Closs
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Accomplishments
Reconnection & Reintegration
In March 2010, NGN moved 26 children from
Kathmandu to Humla—19 of NGN’s children,
plus seven from NGN partner The Umbrella
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Foundation—the culmination of a one-year
plan to return the youngest children to their
home district and families. When asked what
their new home should be called, the children’s
response was unanimous: Karnali Home 2, in
honor of Karnali Home 1 in Kathmandu. The
children continue to live under NGN’s care
while attending a local public school and, most
importantly, visiting their families on a regular
basis. All of the children were welcomed to their
villages and family homes for the two-week
national Dashain festival and, in some cases,
met siblings for the very first time.
Photos: Opposite by Larry Closs, above by Erik B. Wilson
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Accomplishments
Permanent Reunifications
We believe it is every child’s right to be raised by his or her own family, to enjoy local culture and to benefit from
stabilizing economic forces such as the acquisition of traditional skills and inheritance of familial land that can
only occur in the context of growing up in a family.
In a perfect world, NGN would reconnect and reunite all the trafficked children in our care but it’s rarely that
simple. When a family is located, NGN assesses the care options, village conditions and the quality of local
education and healthcare to ascertain whether reintegration is in the child’s best interest. Making every effort to
respect local culture and family rights, NGN determines that there are some instances when reunification is not
advisable. In those circumstances, children remain under NGN’s guardianship, reconnecting
with their families, communities and culture through extended monitored visits.
From 2006, when NGN was founded, to 2009, we located over 400 families and
permanently reunited 40 children. We are happy to report that, in 2010, NGN’s assessment
protocol suggested permanent reunification for four more children, bringing the total to 44.
After moving the children from Kathmandu and reuniting them with their families in rural
Nepal, we continue to monitor their situations on a regular basis.
For those four children, 2010 was a significant year, but their small number speaks to
the sometimes insurmountable and unapparent consequences resulting from child
trafficking. In general, the odds are stacked against trafficked children, driving NGN’s
efforts to prevent further trafficking by targeting some of the root causes. NGN works
collaboratively to improve educational, economic and health access in rural villages so
that families have greater confidence in the quality of local resources.
Photos: Opposite and above by Larry Closs
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I have read about children around the
world but for some reason the children of
Nepal grab your heart and squeeze it!
-Linda Evans-Null
NGN Facebook Fan
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Accomplishments
Partnership with Terre des Hommes International Federation
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In January 2010, NGN entered a partnership with the Terre des
Hommes International Federation (TDHIF), a Swiss nonprofit
headquartered in Geneva that develops and implements projects
designed to improve the living conditions of disadvantaged children,
their families and communities. TDHIF has a 25-year history of
development and humanitarian aid projects in Nepal. The goal of
our partnership is to collaboratively combat child trafficking and
preserve family unity by combining organizational expertise and
resources. In 2010, TDHIF worked to effect policy change with the
Nepali government, identify children at risk and lend both technical
and social worker staff support to NGN. In turn, NGN served as
consultant and TDHIF’s implementation partner in the rescue and
care of trafficked children moved to NGN facilities, searching for
their families, overseeing reintegration and monitoring the results.
NGN and TDHIF co-funded the reunification and monitoring of
one child in Jumla and co-sponsored child-trafficking awareness
events in Humla and the Kathmandu Valley.
Photos: Opposite by Larry Closs, above by Erik B. Wilson
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Accomplishments
Education Support Project
The lack of educational opportunities in
rural villages is one of the primary reasons
parents fall prey to traffickers who promise a
better education for children in Kathmandu.
NGN seeks to prevent further trafficking by
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improving local education quality and access.
To that end, NGN laid the groundwork for a
plan to elevate and advance the quality of
education at the Baal Mandir Public School
in Simikot, Humla, where we returned 26
children. Working with the community and
local government agencies, NGN is poised
to launch the first phase, supporting teachertraining opportunities, securing high-quality
teaching materials and books, ensuring
sufficient classroom furniture and providing
basic sanitation facilities. The goal: Better
teachers plus better schools will give parents
incentive to keep their children safe at home in
their communities.
Photos: Opposite and above by Larry Closs
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This is yet another great initiative. One person can truly
change the world when they invest their heart and soul. -Raji Heer
NGN Facebook Fan
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Field Missions
In addition to our ongoing efforts to monitor children who have been reintegrated with their
families and communities, NGN undertook three major field missions in 2010, doing what
NGN does best in collaboration with our partner The Umbrella Foundation (TUF), an Irish
nonprofit that operates eight homes in the Kathmandu Valley for over 300 children.
In January and February, an NGN/TUF team traveled to Rasuwa, a district in Central Nepal just south of the Tibetan
border. Led by NGN Country Director Julien Lovera, the team located the families of 58 children under TUF’s care,
documented their living conditions and reasons for displacement, opened
lines of communication, evaluated local schools and healthcare facilities
and assessed the potential for reintegration and possible reunification.
A second field mission in October and November took the team to the
Humla and Bajura districts in far Western Nepal, where they reintegrated
nine TUF children for the national Dashain festival, monitored the
children in their home villages and established ongoing links through the
exchange of letters and photographs.
On a third mission in December to the Syangja District in Central Nepal,
NGN/TUF assessed an orphan’s home village conditions to determine
the best possible placement while the child remained under the care of
TUF in Kathmandu.
Photos: Opposite and above by Erik B. Wilson
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Thank you for opening my eyes to a part of the world I
never knew existed. I couldn’t put ‘Little Princes’ down.
-Lori Burt-Graham
NGN Facebook Fan
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Accomplishments
“Little Princes”
The buzz began in early 2010 for the publication of NGN founder Conor
Grennan’s “Little Princes: One Man’s Promise to Bring Home the Lost
Children of Nepal” by HarperCollins, set for January 25, 2011. “Little Princes”
is the story of how a three-month volunteering stint at a Nepali orphanage
called the Little Princes Children’s Home forever changed the course of
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Grennan’s life. When Grennan discovered that the kids in his care weren’t
orphans at all but victims of child trafficking, he promised to find their parents
and set off on an adventure he never could have imagined, risking his life
on a trek through the highest mountains on earth in a developing country
ravaged by civil war. Along the way, Grennan found his passion, started Next
Generation Nepal, met the love of his life and proved that one person can
make a difference.
Released in Canada in December and propelled by overwhelmingly positive
reviews, media appearances and word-of-mouth, “Little Princes” soared
to the top of the bestseller list, foreshadowing its success in the U.S. For
NGN, the book offers an unparalleled opportunity to put child trafficking in
the spotlight, raise NGN’s profile and raise funds—a portion of the proceeds
of every copy goes to supporting NGN—that will continue through 2011 and
beyond as “Little Princes” is published in 11 languages and paperback.
Photo: Opposite by Larry Closs
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Accomplishments
Corporate Communications
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In 2010, NGN got social, inspiring an ever-growing base of
supporters via Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, sparking
conversations about child trafficking, Nepal and “Little
Princes,” suggesting creative ways to lend support and
encouraging direct donations. But maximizing social media
was just one element in a corporate-level communications
strategy. NGN secured the pro bono services of an
internationally renowned interactive team to design a
sleek new website that positions NGN as a global leader
on the issue of child trafficking. A refinement of the
NGN brand by an award-winning designer solidified
our identity and established standards that ensure
continuity across all media. Last but not least, NGN
moved from a home office to its first real office in
New York. A small space with a single window, it’s a
necessary first step in the process of taking NGN to
the next level, expanding our capacity, promoting our
mission and increasing our program impact.
Photos: Opposite by Erik B. Wilson, above by Larry Closs
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Accomplishments
NGN Leadership Travel to Nepal
In September and October 2010, NGN founder and
Board President Conor Grennan, Executive Director
Hallie Tamez and Director of Communications Larry
Closs traveled from New York to Nepal for several
weeks. The goals: To engage with our leadership
and staff in Nepal, monitor the implementation of our
strategic vision, strengthen collaborations with local
partners and government agencies and add to our
photography and video assets. The three spent time in
Kathmandu before undertaking the challenging journey
to Simikot, Humla, flying in beat-up prop planes right
out of “Lost Horizon.” The trip to Humla was Grennan’s
first since his travel there to find the families of the
original Little Princes, the “orphans” who were actually
trafficked children and inspired his bestseller of the
same name as well as the founding of NGN.
Photos: Opposite and above by Larry Closs
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Kudos
Jim O’Reilly, Peace Corps Volunteer
As a former Peace Corps Volunteer who served in the far western region of Nepal from 1976-78, I was devastated when I first found
out that many of the villages I stayed in had been destroyed, villagers had been killed and men and boys had been forced into the
Maoist army. Just as crushing was learning later that many children from the region had been trafficked to Kathmandu. Nepal, being
a low-profile country when it comes to international media, is so fortunate that Conor Grennan happened upon the Little Princes
“orphanage” and took on the mission of reuniting these trafficked children with their families. His book is bringing international
attention to this issue and Next Generation Nepal is doing outstanding work in bringing home the lost children of Nepal. I am so
proud of what Conor Grennan and Next Generation Nepal are doing for the people of the country that I love so dearly.
Amanda Tapping, Sanctuary For Kids
We did a lot of research on different groups in Nepal and we decided
to contribute to Next Generation Nepal not only because NGN’s
people try to rescue trafficked children and reconnect and them
with their families but because they do this so selflessly, putting
themselves in danger, even risking their lives, for the greater good.
It’s probably one of the most beautiful things that anyone can do. We
saw it time and again with stories that came out of NGN and we said,
“This is an organization that has its heart in exactly the right place.”
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Conor Fox, The Umbrella Foundation
We are delighted to be working with NGN for our Reintegration Program.
To date, we have successfully reunited over 40 trafficked children with their
families all over Nepal. One of the happiest stories in my time in Nepal has
been with the six children who were under our care and who are now living
in NGN’s Karnali Home in Humla. Seeing them return to their villages for the
Dashain festival for the first time in seven years was really touching. On a
personal and professional level, I have really enjoyed working with the NGN
team and look forward to working together for the protection of Nepali kids for
many years to come.
Photo: By Larry Closs
Marina Medic, PLANet Systems Group
The opportunity to assist with NGN’s IT needs is a great honor for which I am very grateful. Coming from Serbia, a country that was
also devastated by a civil war in a too-recent history—recent enough to mark most of my later childhood and college years—I feel
strong empathy for the children under NGN’s care and the issues they are forced to confront. As a mother of two little wonderful
boys who mean the world to me, I also empathize with the children’s parents. If the little time I can spare to assist NGN in
presenting its story to the world helps these children in any way—whether by reuniting them with their parents or helping them find
the right path in their lives—then my heart is truly filled with joy.
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Financial Snapshot
2010 Expenditures
$800
Contract Services
Income 2010
$6,561
$8,828
Operations
Organizational Support
$18,189
Indirect Program Expenses
$101,484
$115,198
Direct Program Expenses
Individual Support
USD
Percentage
Total Direct Program Expenditure
$101,484
80%
Total Indirect Program Expenditure
$25,550
20%
Total Expenditure
$127,031
100%
Photo: Opposite by Erik B. Wilson
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People & Partners
STAFF
Executive Staff
Hallie Tamez, Executive Director
Julien Lovera, Country Director, Nepal
Larry Closs, Director of Communications
Nepal Staff
Kathmandu
Sundup Dorje Lama, Project Field Manager
Samjyor Tsering Lama, Program Assistant
Ram Sharan Shrestha, Accountant/Office Assistant
Dhan Bahadur Lama, The Himalayan Innovative Society, Director
Devaka Khanal, Karnali House manager
Kalpana Thapa, Didi, House assistant
Binod Karki (oldest child now working with NGN), Office and field assistant
Humla
Purna Thapa Maghar, Educational project manager
Gyaljan and Prema Lama, House managers
Chandra Lama, Dai, tutor
Dawa Lama, Didi, House assistant
Padam Rawat, Gardener
Dilip Raj Giri and Kali Bahadur Karki, Tutors
Sarita Bohara, Health assistant
VOLUNTEERS
United States
Afshan Khan, Legal research and web management
Stacey Mann, Graphic design
Josh Coe, Website design
Kristen Byers, Website design
Photo: Opposite by Erik B. Wilson
Caleb Fountain, Administrative/research intern
Jillian Dunham, Philanthropic advisor
John Barrow, Graphic design
Nepal
Bertille Audard, France
Carly O’Rourke, Canada
Claire Nabet, France
Erik B. Wilson, USA
Board of Directors
Conor Grennan, Founder and President, USA
Elizabeth Grennan, USA
Wayne Harvey, Treasurer, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, USA
Sasha Havlicek, Chairperson, Institute for Strategic Dialogue, England
Antje Herrberg, Crisis Management Initiative, Belgium
Mark Shulman, Secretary, Pace University Law School, USA
Melissa Upreti, Center for Reproductive Rights, USA
PARTNERS
Terre des Hommes International Federation, Switzerland/Nepal
Association Karya France The Himalayan Innovative Society, Nepal
The Umbrella Foundation, Ireland/Nepal
Sanctuary for Kids Foundation, Canada UncommonGoods, New York
SUPPORTERS
Prabal Gurung
Nying Zemo
Graphic Systems Group
PLANet Systems Group
Mountain Hardwear
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Patrons
Champions
Carlo-Edoardo Carlon
Dion & George Russell
Patricia Cervini
Over $20,000
Kelly & Beth Caylor
Supporters
$500 – $999
David Bolotsky
Conor & Elizabeth Grennan
Dean Michael Cinkala
Natalie Dugas
Cold Spring Harbor High School
Susan Engel
Sustainers
Bruce Culleny
Bill & Glenda Finnie
Diego Diez
Janna Gage
Jessica & Mark Drummond
Deirdre Grennan
Steve & Sarita Finnie
Eamon Grennan
Joan Grennan
Trena Keating
Clyde & Sally Griffen
Mark Liew
HarperCollins Canada Ltd
Joseph McCarthy
Debra Hobbs
Martha McGuinness
Clifton Inge
Chris & Lori Meyer
Elizabeth Levey
Steven Miller
Edwin Masback
Caroline Nganga
Scott McDonald
Charles O’Neil
Cornelia McGuinness
Evan & Lia Oppenheimer
Georgeann McGuinness
Robert Shulman & Stephanie Spanger
Richard Mitchell
Melissa & Suyash Upreti
Shane Murray
Rosemary Winslow
$10,000 – $19,999
Sasha Havlicek
Antje Herrberg
William McGuinness
Sasha Pesko
Inja Yang
Advocates
$5000 – $9,999
Sanctuary for Kids
Jillian Dunham
Alice Lee
Sharon Prince
Sponsors
St. James Episcopal Church
$1,000 – $4,999
Anne Schaffner
Mark & Patrice Allen
Mark Shulman
Anne Baird
Robert Tinker
Angela Williams
Peter Baltaxe
Photo: Opposite by Erik B. Wilson
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And many, many friends who have made
contributions in smaller amounts. Every dollar
makes a difference to the children of Nepal.
Next Generation Nepal
New York
527 Third Avenue
Suite 196
New York, NY 10016
Nepal
GPO box 8975, EPC 4023
Golphutar, Kathmandu
Nepal
Contact
Telephone: 212.802.1456
info@nextgenerationnepal.org
www.nextgenerationnepal.org
Reconnecting trafficked children with their families
Graphic Systems Group LLC
33 East 17th Street
New York, NY 10003
www.gsgnyc.com
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Providing the tools and the talent to optimize
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