30/07/2026
On World Day Against Trafficking In Persons, The Himalayan Innovative Society stands against trafficking of children into institutions, a scam fueled by separating children from families into institutions with the lucrative prospect of "better future" - leading only to irreparable psychological damage, loss of biological bonds, identity and right to justice.
The prospect of a better future in a city hostel presents itself as a life changing opportunity for families struggling to meet the ends, and a noble initiative for local stakeholders, whose hands are often tied due to lack of resources and legal literacy.
According to the US Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report 2025, child trafficking into orphanages in Nepal has been officially recognized as a form of human trafficking. The Report states, “Under false promises of education and work opportunities, Nepali families in remote, resource-poor areas are routinely targeted by brokers. Parents desiring a brighter future for their children are deceived by false promises of quality education, leading them to unknowingly send their children away to institutional care[1].
Status of Child Rights Report, 2025 released by National Child Rights Council reports 10,193 children currently residing in 366 child care homes operated in 46 districts in Nepal. A majority of these children have families, unknown about their children's status, anxiously waiting to bring them home.
But the road to home and future is riddled with challenges - always painting how away from home is future. Poverty, lack of quality education, resources and opportunities become ardous task for a family in remote area to ensure a future for their children. Lack of legal literacy, weak child protection mechanism and absence of family and community based alternative care open gates for more children to be falsely recommended to be sent away to hostels in cities, where majority are subjected to abuse, exploitation and falsely claim as orphans (despite having family) for sympathy, money and gifts from visitors. The more visitors arrive, the more number of children are torn from families.
But the issue isn't so intricate when all of us stand against the scam.
