Esther Benjamin Memorial Foundation Reports Child Rescue Work

Esther Benjamin Memorial Foundation Says It Rescued Around 1,000 At-Risk Children in Two Decades

Lalitpur | Magh 19, 2082 (BS)

The Esther Benjamin Memorial Foundation says it has rescued and supported around 1,000 children at risk over the past two decades, providing education, skills training, and follow-up management. The organization shared these details during a “social audit program” held in the capital.

National Child Rights Council’s Response

Bamb Bahadur Baniya, Vice Chairperson of the National Child Rights Council, said the foundation’s programs—focused on linking at-risk children to education in Lalitpur and Makwanpur—have also supported the Council’s broader goals. He added that the Council is working in coordination with organizations involved in child protection, with plans to continue such cooperation in the future.

Civil Society Perspective

Arjun Bhattarai, President of the NGO Federation, said children will lead the country in the future and emphasized the need to help them develop through education, skills, and ethical values. He noted that the foundation’s contribution offers lessons for others working in the sector.

Social Audit Report Presented

The event, chaired by Acting Chairperson Uma Timilsina, included the public release of the foundation’s social audit report by child rights advocate Rabin Nepali. He said the foundation aims to continue pursuing its child-centered goals with transparency.

What the Foundation Reported

Executive Director Atmaram Thapa said the foundation works on rescue and management of children affected by child labour, lack of parental care, and other high-risk conditions, including family reintegration.

According to the foundation’s presentation, since its establishment it has:

• helped protect more than 90,000 children from the risk of trafficking, and

• provided education and skills support to 50,000 children.

He also said that during the last year, 41 children were rescued through various coordination efforts, and 34 were reintegrated with their families. Additional support was provided for children needing further assistance, including educational help and support for child-friendly school improvements such as toilets and drinking-water management.

Continued Collaboration

Tilottam Poudel, Chairperson of the Children as Zones of Peace National Campaign (CZOP), said the campaign will continue collaborating with the foundation on child rights issues. He also indicated readiness for coordination and exchange visits with the “Girls’ Learning and Resource Center” established in Devchuli Municipality by Jagriti Child and Youth Concern Nepal.

Voices of Beneficiaries

During the program, beneficiaries including Raju Gaire, Sanumaya Tamang, Asma Bik, and Deepak Tamang shared that the support they received helped them gain confidence and move forward into education and work.