Around 800,000 people are trafficked internationally per year. 80% of these are girls, who can be sold even as infants. 


This is a rampant problem in Nepal, exacerbated by the devastating earthquake. 200,000 girls are sent to Indian brothels per year, being sold for pennies. I heard about MAITI Nepal from my friend Jayashree Khemka. MAITI has fought human trafficking and sexual exploitation of Nepali girls for 23 years, and has rehabilitated 25,000 victims. MAITI saves girls from traffickers through rescue operations, border patrols and education. Their school in Kathmandu rehabilitates victims, and gives them a new life. 


Their founder Anuradha Koirala, a celebrated social activist, has been presented with the CNN Heroes Award, the Mother Teresa Award, and the Courage of Conscience Award (The Peace Abbey). After meeting Mrs Koirala recently, I knew I had to do something.

Two friends, myself and Clare Duckworth, violinist with the London Symphony Orchestra, plan to go to Nepal this December. MAITI believes in the healing power of music and run a daily music class where they see incredible progress made. As Music Scholars, we believe we can help the music program and the girls as they heal. We are collecting instruments which they need, from dealers and orchestras. We are grateful to Clare for helping us develop a long term musical curriculum. We want Mrs Koirala's vision of a MAITI choir and orchestra to come true. 


To help us achieve this goal, we need funds to build this "mighty bridge" permanently. Every little bit helps, and will go towards our travel and music instruments for MAITI.

We started music as young children not knowing which road it would lead us down. But if all those years of hard work and practice can today help heal a broken soul, our musical journey will be the best thing we ever did. 


Thank you for your support
Ishaan

http://www.maitinepal.org/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYgmgzYt3eI