Anu’s Family, Nepal (FVP Story 2021.18)
Anu Lama’s family from Nepal contributed gift boxes to human trafficking survivors. Their Family Volunteering for Peace (FVP) project was a joyful experience as each member put their hearts in their act.
Anu is a graduate of GPWLA. Her final project connected her to an NGO and its safe houses that work to rehabilitate human trafficking survivors. Anu decided to send gift boxes to her project participants. Moved by the stories of the survivors, the whole family got together and prepared these gift boxes with love in their hearts. The family not only contributed their time and efforts with shopping, logistics and wrapping the boxes but also chipped in some financials for the gifts.
“To be able to do something good for these girls brings joy to us. They have been through some tough times and to be able to contribute makes our heart light and we are really proud. In a society where they are not fully accepted, we accept them with open arms and we wish them all the joy and luck in their lives, ” reflected Anu's father.
Anu’s sister shared that she felt happy and excited when she packed the boxes with gift-wrapping papers and wrote their names. She reflected, “It felt like I was preparing gifts for someone I know. I am extremely happy.”
“It was a very heartwarming moment” said her mother as the family learnt that it would be the first time most of these girls would receive a gift. She added the experience helped develop a collective sense of care for the girls in the safehouses. Even though the family could not hand it over to them personally due to the COVID19, the family reflected it was an enriching experience to do something for others as their own family.
The family felt elated as they learnt that some girls would be reintegrated and reunited back to their families. Last year, the Lama family helped the daily wage earners with food and groceries during the COVID19 lockdown. Volunteering and doing good deeds together surely is a great family experience and Anu’s family looks forward to helping in any way they can for these girls and those in need.