“When I found out I was sold by my husband, I wanted to end my life.” Growing up in the mountain area in Nepal, Suntali was married at the age of 15 and she had two daughters and a son. To support her family, Suntali worked in other people’s farms and earned very little money. She then followed her husband and went to Saudi Arabia to work as a domestic helper. At first, she thought she could earn a better income to improve her family’s life, but unfortunately she suffered constant hunger, physical violence and even sexual assault. Later, Suntali discovered that her husband had sold her for 20,000 Rupees (about US$200). It was a shock to her and she once thought about committing suicide, but the next thought of her lovely children kept her alive. In the end, with the help of her family and relief agency in Nepal, Suntali returned home safely.
In the villages of Nepal, many women and teenagers who wish to improve their lives become the vulnerable targets of human traffickers and being sold domestically or internationally into slavery or even sexual exploitation. To combat human trafficking, community development and preventive education are necessary. CEDAR has been supporting Share and Care, a partner in Nepal, in various community development projects. Apart from raising awareness among villagers on human trafficking, the projects also help to improve their living conditions so that they don’t have to look for work in other countries.
Today, Suntali is actively involved in the prevention of human trafficking, sharing her personal experience with other women in the community, teaching teenagers not to accept indiscriminately any foreign job opportunities. All these are to help more people to understand the negative impacts of human trafficking.
Let’s pray:
- May God help those victims of human trafficking, that they can be saved and regain their peace and freedom. May God comfort their troubled souls and heal their wounds.
- May God grant wisdom and resource to our partner Share and Care and all the participating workers, so that the oppressed will receive suitable and timely help.
- May God lead all government leaders to respect human worth and dignity, and collaborate in the combat of human trafficking crimes.
Other Methods of Payment
- Cheque payable to ‘CEDAR FUND’
- Deposit to HSBC A/C No. 600-385678-001, enclosing with the Pay-in slip
- Autopay (only applicable to regular fixed donations), enclosing with a completed Autopay Authorisation Form (Download: WORD or PDF)
- Visa/ Master Card
Download Donation Form
Please send a completed Donation Form, enclosing with cheque or pay-in slip, to CEDAR FUND, G.P.O. BOX 3212, HONG KONG.
[1] CEDAR is an approved charitable institutions and trusts of a public character under section 88 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance. Please click Inland Revenue Department website to check for details.
[2] Donations over $100 are tax deductible in Hong Kong with our receipts.
[3] Please DO NOT fax any donation information.