Prem lives in Nepal, where poverty and lack of awareness mean children can be easy prey for traffickers. Many children are trafficked to other parts of the country, but more and more are being taken out of the country. It’s estimated that up to 12,000 children are trafficked from Nepal to India every year*, many of them forced into prostitution. 

In Prem’s village, Tearfund’s local partner staff have been working to raise awareness and lower the risk of trafficking among children and young people. One of the innovative ways they do this is through Children’s Clubs. 

An unlikely leader

Prem used to be shy, reluctant even, to talk to his classmates. But through his role as secretary at his local Children’s Club, Prem’s confidence has blossomed. ‘At first I was scared... I felt nervous,’ he says. ‘But the training I received boosted my confidence, and when I gave my first presentation to my classmates, they appreciated it, which increased my confidence even more. After that, I started to lose my fear of speaking in public.’ 

As he and the other children have learnt more about the risks they face, they have become evermore passionate about sharing their knowledge in order to help keep other girls and boys safe. 

In March 2018, Prem and his fellow club members spoke to 204 high school students about their trafficking awareness campaign.‘I can’t stand in the corner any more,’ says Prem. ‘The work and my responsibility at the Club has made me more outspoken. I am learning the nature of public speaking and building confidence to speak boldly. I aim to reach more and more students to raise awareness of abuse in my community.’

Prem has gone from a child at risk to a child empowered to look out for himself and to help those around him.

Every £36 raised could help prevent one child from being trafficked.