Eesha’s Story

A chance at a real childhood

At age 10 Eesha’s mother, widowed by the earthquake, sent her to Pokhara with man who promised her that Eesha would earn money for the family and receive an education. Unfortunately, her new employer did not pay her and although she was registered for school she was not allowed to attend.

After hearing about Eesha from a concerned neighbour, one of our social workers conducted a workplace assessment and then travelled 200km east of Pokhara to her village in order to conduct a family assessment before reintegrating her with her family.

The employer and the man who brought Eesha to Pokhara were given a police warning and also signed a commitment not to use child labour and not to bring children to work from the village. We also ensured that Eesha was compensated for the four months of work she had already done. Eesha is now attending school in her village, with our and her mother’s support.

Unfortunately, not all children can be immediately removed from work or reintegrated with their families. We have provided educational support to working and at-risk children for years. Now we are working harder to ensure that employers of child labourers fulfil their commitments by providing for the children’s education themselves.

Our work has resulted in a 73% reduction in child labour in Pokhara over a four-year period and 1000’s of street-connected children, child labourers and victims of abuse have been reintegrated with their families or in alternative care.

We remain committed to our ultimate goal of ending child labour in Pokhara. Learn more about Our Impact here.