Chandni Hamal

Usha Bohora (name changed), 16, of Pithuwa VDC longs to erase her traumatic past and recast herself in society as a normal person again. Sold once by her own relative and inflicted with domestic tortures, Bohora is now engaged in developing some vocational skills, hoping that would earn back her social status. 

"Every morning I wake up to seize the day and head for the training, but the horrors of my dark past still haunt me now and then," said Bohora. 

Bohora´s own brother-in-law had sold her to an Indian for just Rs 4,000 to pay off a debt. She was 15 then. Although she was spared from being transported to the brothels of India, the fear of being sold off is embedded in her consciousness like a deep stain. 

"I can never forget the person screaming at me saying that he owns me now as he started dragging me away against my will. Had it not been for my stubbornness in resisting him, I would have been living like in hell in one of the brothels in India or somewhere else," said Bohora with her eyes dripping tears.

Bohora´s own family never supported her in any way as her interest in studying beyond grade 5 had became a huge burden for them, although it also made them feel proud of their child. She had to shoulder loads of responsibility after her sisters got married and left the house. 

"After my sisters went away, I had to look after all the household work. From cleaning the house and cooking to taking care of all the domestic animals, I had to do it all on my own and my desire for an education was always sidelined in conversations," said Bohora. 

Sunita Budathoki (name changed also), 26, from the same VDC, another victim of a gruesome circumstances, is also out to cleanse out her past travails. Her days of distress had ensued after she reached Kathmandu alone in search of her mentally ill mother. 

She was married to a drug abuser while she was working as a dishwasher at various restaurants in the Valley. In no time, she had become a mother of two daughters, although feeding herself alone was a big enough problem. "My parents-in-law persuaded me to leave the home, saying they would take care of my children," said Budathoki. 

"Helpless in my plight, I was lured into prostitution. But fortunately, I was saved at Birgunj check post," she added. 

Like Budathoki, there were 28 other such victims in the district. Of these, 15 have been accepted by their families again and the remaining 13 are taking training and vocational courses at KIC Nepal, a rehabilitation center in Chitwan. 

"Skills in knitting and weaving and training in beauty parlor work will always stand these women in good stead. This is our attempt to help them come out of their distress and back into society," said Basanti Thapa, an instructor at KIC. “

"And the articles they turn out such as mufflers, caps and bracelets are in the process of being exported to the United States," she added. 

Shrijana Magar (again not her real name) is another participant in the training, and she said that these skill earn her enough to cover her personal expenses. "After the class, I spend the rest of the day knitting and weaving and they pay me for these articles. It is better than nothing," she said. 

Instructor Thapa informed that many of the trainees have spoken of starting their own businesses or embarking upon social work after completion of the training.

Published on: 29 March 2013 | Republica