Many years ago, a teenager named Ankita* arrived at our safe homes in Nepal with a young boy on her hip. At a glance, you might have assumed the boy was Ankita’s younger sibling, as they shared a striking resemblance. But the toddler was her son.

As a girl, Ankita was deceived, manipulated and sold by human traffickers. Trapped in a life of abuse and exploitation, without any hope of rescue, Ankita’s spirit was broken.

During her captivity, she conceived and gave birth to a son.

When Ankita was rescued a handful of years later, she was repatriated to her home country of Nepal—and welcomed into our local partner’s safe home for long-term care. 

Ten years later, Ankita now works as a sewing instructor at the safe home—equipping younger women (who have suffered similar abuse) with the skills they need to build independent futures.

You can help girls like Ankita heal from exploitation and build healthy, independent lives.

Make a donation today to support children rescued from human trafficking through safe housing, education and aftercare.

“The best part about living at the safe homes was the new family I found,” says Ankita. “I really love my home leaders because they took care of me like a parent. I have complete trust and love for them as they have continuously supported me ever since I came with my son years ago.”

Our local partner in Nepal receives children with a wide range of abilities and obstacles to overcome and caters their care to each individual child, based on their specific needs.

“I am not a very book smart person but my home leaders gave me the opportunity to study and to build a practical skill in sewing and tailoring so I could be a successful adult.”

“During my time in the home, the leaders would ask me to try new things and I loved it. Because this was the first time that I was given not only the opportunity to try new things, but the tools to be able to do them well.”

In her job, Ankita loves to spend her time making new designs and patterns. She shares, “All orders are custom-made upon special requests from customers so I love thinking of new creative ways to fulfill these requests. I particularly enjoy sewing and occasionally helping with the baking classes next door.”

Ankita says that without the opportunity to find healing at the safe homes, her life would have turned out so different than it is today.

“Saying that I’m grateful and happy right now does not do justice to the feelings in my heart. I am beyond these words like grateful, happy, thankful, joyful,” said Ankita. “I have a new life and my son does too. He’s better at studying than I am already! I’m very proud of him and I cannot wait to see what the future has in store for us.”

*Name and photo have been changed to protect privacy.