A couple from Meggenhofen experienced an earthquake in Nepal

2023-11-10 15:06:00

The Meggenhofen teacher couple Brigitte and Heinz Söllinger have been involved in Nepal since the earthquake disaster in 2015. The two have been on an aid mission in the developing country for the sixth time since mid-October. There they experienced the recent earthquake. “We are in the south of the country and therefore not in the epicenter, where the suffering of the people is unimaginable,” says Brigitte Söllinger. Unfortunately, much of the international aid money for Nepal would disappear into the pockets of politicians due to widespread corruption.

Since the beginning of their mission, the helpers from Upper Austria have built three schools in a slum, a leprosy village and a prison as well as a girls’ hostel. All children receive a warm meal, books, uniforms, shoes and medical care every day.

Girls rescued from prostitution

“The majority of our girls have already experienced sexual abuse and physical violence. Through education, we try to make it clear to them that they can defend themselves against sexual assault,” says Brigitte Söllinger. The couple took three girls out of prostitution and put them up in their girls’ hostel. Since the beginning of their relief operations, they have been campaigning against the trafficking of girls in Nepal and enabling children from the lowest Dalit caste to have access to education.

A big business is not only made with prostitution – many girls are sold or kidnapped into Indian brothels – but also with so-called orphanages in tourist centers. 80 percent of all orphans in Nepal have at least one parent. Because of the great poverty, parents often sell their daughters to criminal orphanage operators. The daily wage for Dalits is one euro. Parents receive around 250 euros per girl; for light-skinned children the price rises to up to 1,000 euros.

The couple is committed to helping children in a slum and providing education.

The next projects are already coming up. The girls will be accompanied after compulsory schooling; a sewing workshop is planned where they will be trained.

The Söllinger couple have built a seven-person team of Nepalese around them to ensure the continued existence of the projects. In addition, 22 women are employed as teachers, cooks and cleaners. (krai)

More about the projects and donation options at: www.childvisionnepal.com