Sold by her friend

Arati* is 24 and because of poverty, she could not complete her schooling past 11^th grade. Arati came from a broken family and from a young age had to support herself.

One particular day, Arati met an old friend. She explained to Arati that she works in Mumbai where she earns an attractive salary. Arati was easily persuaded to go along with her and was excited about the opportunity to earn money.

After reaching Mumbai, her friend took her to the female employer. Arati was left with 26 Nepalese and 18 Indian girls. She never saw her friend again. She was trapped and tells her story. “I had to serve as many as 26 men in one day. One day, I cried a lot and begged my employer to let me go. She told me that she bought me and will not let me go until she recovers her investment.” Arati received no payment for the service she rendered to men. When her health began to deteriorate, she received no treatment. Beaten, spat on, and tortured she would stay hungry for days. For seven months, she suffered and then she fell ill. It is impossible to get out of brothels unless someone is suffering from an incurable disease or is ill to death. Arati tells, “I was able to steal money from one of my clients and somehow managed to escape. I returned to Nepal where I filed a case against my friend who had taken me to Mumbai.”

Arati stayed in a rented room and began to search for work. A man offered her work in Dubai if she could provide Rs. 50,000 [US$400] so she began to work in a hotel as a sex worker in order to gather the money she needed.

When 3 Angels Nepal (3AN) staff found Arati, she told them her story and about her hope for a new life in Dubai. It was explained to her about the dangers of leaving Nepal to find work. With the help of 3AN, she is applying for a job as a cleaner in a local school. She is now confident about her future and is working to put the past behind her.

*name changed for protection

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