Overview


The Nepal Initiative is a charitable organisation that supports the welfare of socially and economically disadvantaged children in Nepal, with a particular focus on protecting them from the horrors of child trafficking. We work closely with a small group of trusted local partners to achieve our objectives.

We currently sponsor 41 children under the care of Light House Foundation Nepal, an NGO that provides social care and education for vulnerable children from marginalised low-caste communities in Nepal. 

We also work closely with several other organisations, including as Kids of Kathmandu (building schools), Ek Ek Paila (low-cost, high-quality healthcare) and Our Home Nepal (vocational training).

The Big Issue

Human trafficking continues to be a serious issue facing remote and vulnerable communities in Nepal. It is estimated that between 12,000 and 15,000 Nepali girls are trafficked into India each year, primarily for sexual exploitation. A growing number of girls are also trafficked within Nepal itself.

Most trafficking victims are from poor, remote villages with low levels of education and limited connectivity to the rest of the country. Girls from marginalised ethnic and indigenous groups are particularly at risk due to social discrimination and limited economic opportunities. Around 70% of trafficking victims are children under 18. 

Key factors behind trafficking include low levels of education,  limited employment opportunities, insufficient awareness of trafficking risks, porous borders and corruption, as well as very sophisticated and organised trafficking organisations. Although Nepal has anti-trafficking laws, only a small fraction of traffickers are ever prosecuted.

Furthermore, Nepal continues to have a rigid caste system, particularly in rural areas, which perpetuates discrimination against certain segments of society. The people of the Badi community in Western Nepal sit on the lowest rung of the Nepali caste system and are often referred to as the “untouchables of the untouchables”. Originally professional dancers and singers, a decline in demand for their services forced Badi women to turn to prostitution to support their families, to the point where it became their default profession.

Our partners at LHFN have been working closely with Badi and other low caste communities  for over 20 years, rescuing and caring for trafficked girls and educating the communities on the dangers of trafficking and viable alternative career paths for their children.

Mission

To support Nepalese children from socially and economically disadvantaged backgrounds through school and to create pathways for them afterwards, while at all times protecting them from the ever-present risks of child trafficking.

Vision

To build a future where every child in Nepal is free from the threat of trafficking, empowered by access to quality education and free to pursue their dreams.

Meet The Team

Suman Khadka

A passionate changemaker and youth activist, Suman is the heart of our operations in Nepal. He leads all local activities, ensuring our initiatives make a lasting impact, and warmly hosts visitors, sharing his deep knowledge and commitment to the community. With extensive experience in charitable and social initiatives, Suman works tirelessly to uplift marginalised communities through sustainable solutions.

James Dauman

A career finance professional and experienced business owner, James leads our fundraising activities and looks after our back office. His day job is Finance Director of Nusa Caña, Indonesia’s leading rum brand, which he helped establish in Bali in 2016. He is based in Abu Dhabi and travels to Nepal at every possible opportunity to see our kids and develop new projects with our partners. 

Paul Winslow

Utilising his background in marketing, branding and journalism, Paul takes responsibility for The Nepal Initiative brand and website while driving fundraising and strategic partnerships in Australia. Based in Melbourne, he is the Chief Marketing Officer of the Aspire42 group. He first visited Nepal in the aftermath of the 2015 earthquake where he first met Suman.

Charlotte Dauman

An experienced primary school teacher with a passion for education and philanthropy, Charlie is responsible for all of our education-related activities. She has been a regular visitor to Nepal since 2012 and has developed close relationships with a number of organisations focused on delivering sustainable improvements to education in the country. Charlie is based in Abu Dhabi.