Over the last month, our very own queen of colour Dui has been on the trip of a lifetime to Kathmandu, Nepal with our charity partner Forget Me Not. This is a charity very close to our hearts, with the sales of our colourful Charity Bags donated directly to Forget Me Not to support the work they do in Nepal, India, and Uganda.
As a passionate supporter of Forget Me Not, Dui had the opportunity to travel to Nepal to meet with the team on the ground and spend time in the local community. Whilst there, she had the privilege of connecting with an incredible group of young women who’ve been nurtured through Forget Me Not initiatives. Dui was humbled as these ladies shared their lived experiences with her. On the back of International Women's Day, we’d like to share some of these stories with you as well.
Since being reconnected to family with the help of the Forget Me Not team, immersed in culture and surrounded by love, Dui met many inspirational women who had overcome adversity to begin their own careers. Despite challenging experiences early on in life, the women Dui met are now budding lawyers, social workers, teachers, artists, hoteliers and accountants, with many currently studying at a tertiary level. Along with the Forget Me Not team, they are committed to helping strengthen understanding of the issue of orphanage trafficking in rural, remote and regional communities.
“I’ve formed such a strong family bond between all of the girls and it’s been wonderful to keep in contact with them most days since our trip. We are one big family and I feel very honoured to be one of the aunties.” - Dui
We’re very proud to see these ladies shine so bright. Keep shining superwomen.
The work of Forget Me Not was integral to changing the lives of these women. Forget Me Not works with the Nepal Government to provide a lifeline of hope for children trafficked into orphanages and children’s homes to give them a safe house and reconnect them with their families. Forget Me Not support the children and their families through education, counselling and up-skilling of family members.
More than 80% of children in Nepal institutions are not orphans. Global research shows they are taken from their families, largely on the promise of an education at boarding school in lieu of the family’s life savings. This is a form of modern-day slavery as traffickers change a child’s identity and sell them to an orphanage or home where they are used to generate funds.
For more information on Forget Me Not and their incredible work changing lives in Nepal, India and Uganda, visit fmn.org.au. They are always looking for help to raise awareness about the ‘orphan trade’, and raise funds required to rescue children from orphanages so they can return to their homes and families.
Follow Forget Me Not on Facebook or Instagram for regular updates.
