Art Therapy in Nepal Changing lives

In  April of this year l will be returning to Nepal to be a part of the Expressive Art Therapy training programme, run by  Harambee Arts & founded by Gloria Simoneax,  for young girls, survivors of human trafficking.
( This journey was to have taken place last year but due to unforeseen circumstances, had to be cancelled).
 
Harambee Arts:  This Expressive Arts Programme works with and alongside groups of amazing young women and girls, who have survived indescribable trauma through human trafficking, helping them to heal, build self esteem and find the courage & strength they need to begin to move forward in their lives. 
As a result of this work these young girls speak about their desire to help others, by becoming counsellors, doctors, nurse's , teachers & inspirational leaders in society.

All funds raised will help cover some of the costs associated with volunteering and any additional funds will be donated to Harambee Arts to enable them to continue their important work. 


Human trafficking of young girls is growing at an alarming rate all around the world (According to the UN Global Report on Trafficking in Persons 2018).
It has been estimated that the number of children being trafficked in Nepal following the earthquake in 2015 doubled.  This makes the healing and the education of girls (& boys) even more important than ever before.

I have volunteered in Nepal over three consecutive years now, working with & alongside some very remarkable young women, most of them survivors of human trafficking themselves; who through their own experiences, have decided to dedicate their lives to supporting other young women & girls recover from the trauma that comes with being taken away from their families & forced into child labour & prostitution.

This work has far reaching effects. As the girls receive love and support & begin to heal, their stories begin to be heard, not just in Nepal, but around the world.

In 2016 l had the privilege of accompanying this core group of women to the Expressive Arts Conference in Hong Kong, where they showcased their work and performed a deeply moving dance/drama,  depicting the ways in which innocent children are stolen from vulnerable families, under the guise of providing  reputable employment. 

It is truly humbling to see these young girls move from a place of trauma, to a place where they are able to consider a future; where they can begin to imagine themselves as valuable members of their communities and  educating others in order to put an end to this terrible trade, that ruins the lives of so many.

While in Nepal I will also re-visit the Tashi Waldorf School in Kathmandu. This School's community is still recovering from the devastating effects of the 2015 earthquake.
The Waldorf School in Perth, conducts an ongoing fundraising drive to raise donations to send to the Tashi Steiner School n Kathmandu & during  this trip I will personally deliver funds raised this year, along with materials that the Tashi School is unable to source in Nepal. 

Tashi Steiner School:  During my last visit to the Tashi school, l was so warmly greeted & had the opportunity to visit all the teachers and students in their classrooms. There was so much love & compassion within the school.  Despite the damage caused by the earthquake the teachers had still managed to provide beautiful spaces for the children to learn in. The school also supports a number of orphans, who without this support may not be able to receive an education. For these children this school has become a home and a community, where they have a sense of belonging and 'family.'

*Harambee Arts ~ which funds and provides training, materials, travel expenses and office space  to young women who wish to work with other survivors of trafficking in their recovery. http://harambeearts.org/new/programs/program-in-nepal @harambeeartsorg 


Tashi Waldorf School ~ Tashi in Tibetan means "all that is good". Tashi Waldorf School began its 14th school year in April 2014 with a nursery, two kindergartens and classes from one to four. There are 120 children studying in the school ~ http://childrenofnepal.org/navigation/tashi-waldorf-school-nav 


Your donation will help to ensure that this important work continues. No contribution is too small & all your support will be greatly received.

Donations over $20 will receive a copy of my CD, 'Meditations for Body, Mind & Spirit.' So be sure to leave an email address for me to contact you.


A Heartfelt thank you for your donation.