Salesians help rescue Nepali girls

(September 14, 2011) A non-governmental organisation run by the Salesians along with other organisations rescued 23 young Nepali girls studying in a private orphanage attached to a school near Coimbatore, South India. Though the girls, in the age group of 8 to 16, were admitted as `orphans`, it was found that they all had families, living in Nepal. There were a total of 34 children of Nepali origin studying in the school. But since parents of 11 children were employed in the school, only 23 were rescued to be sent back to their families. Esther Benjamins Memorial Foundation, an NGO affiliated to the Social Welfare Council of Nepal, was approached by the parents of children who were taken by an agent promising to give them free education in India. The parents got concerned when there was no communication from the children. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nepal sought the assistance of ChildLine, Don Bosco Anbu Illam and Child Welfare Committee to trace the children. However, the children were being educated and eye witnesses say no foul play was suspected. According to Fr. Xavier, Director of Don Bosco Anbu Illam, the children were rescued on September 8 and brought to the institution.