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“Kanchi,”
a girl from the Tamang ethnic group, is happy to have a safe roof over her
head again. A long stay in the women’s prison of Katmandu has left its
mark on her face. The shadow of intimidation still hangs over her. Until
quite recently, it was a matter of course in Nepal for children up to the
age of 16 to be put behind bars along with their parents, when they were
serving jail sentences. Especially girls, the weakest members of the
prevailing Hindu caste system, often encountered a dubious fate in the
crowded cells, where they were exposed to abuse and disease. The
former police officer and philanthropist Moktan Singh has been able to
obtain the release of weak children. At first he and his wife took these
little emaciated creatures who were ridden by tuberculosis, tormented by
worms, and covered with lice into their own home. Later Austrian and
German travelers to Nepal became aware of his work and began to provide
support. Today this dedicated Nepali is the director of the “Parizat
Nestling Home”, an exemplary institution that provides a safe haven for
24 happy little girls in the Harigown district. Thanks to private
scholarships, Kanchi and the other girls go to school every day. Each
morning they receive instruction in karate. “This gives them more
self-confidence,” their American teacher says. Uncertain
future. Young women without families are up against enormous odds in a
society dominated by Hindu men. Kanchi’s mother is a good example. When
she was sentenced to 10 years in prison for smuggling gold, her husband
had left for parts unknown, without giving a thought to his daughter.
Needless to say, the concerned mother is extremely happy that her child
has been able to trade her dank dungeon for the clean atmosphere of the
Parizat Home. When she herself gets out of jail, her now nine-year-old
daughter will be an adult and will have to take care of her – but how? Focusing
on questions like this, the Austrian Verein CCI (CCI Association) in Vienna has
coordinated a “Nepal Project” on a national and international level
for the past two years. The decision has now been made to invest in a high
quality training program. Next to the Parizat Home in Katmandu there is
room for a small vocational education center. Three areas of training for
the girls are being planned: “Fashion,
design & tailoring,“ “Computers, writing and communication“ and
“Tourism, hotels & restaurants.“ These courses will also be open
to other young people in need who want to try to achieve greater personal
independence through occupational qualifications. A detailed construction
plan for the center has been prepared by the Austrian architect Michael
Kamenik. An effort to widen the circle of project sponsors has now been
initiated. Mr.
Moktan describes his guiding principle for the future in these words:
“Educating a girl means educating a mother. Educating a mother means
educating a family. Educating a family means educating a community.
Educating a community means educating a nation.“ Nepal stands on the
verge of a civil war. Never was Mr. Moktan’s vision more relevant. How
can you help?
I have recently visited the project again and made a limited edition of
11 copies of 12 photographic portraits of the girls. Each sponsor who makes
a minimum contribution of €150 will receive a picture in passé partout (30
x 30 cm). The proceeds will go to support the “Nepal Project“.
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