Mukti Transition Home: Continuing The Healing Journey For Victims Of Human Trafficking in Nepal
Renewing Lives And Reclaiming Futures
Every day, young girls fall victim to the horrors of human trafficking, often betrayed by those they trust the most. In Nepal, where exploitation is high and prevalent due to poverty, vulnerabilities, and lack of accessible education, JOY International’s mission is dedicated to the prevention of child trafficking and the freedom, healing, and empowerment of trafficked children, teens, and young adults worldwide. Welcoming and embracing these young survivors, true healing requires a safe place to reclaim their lives and futures.
We need your help expanding the JOY International Mukti Home by opening a transition home that will house and empower 15 survivors to continue their journey to independence, outside a life of trafficking. With maturing survivors moving to our transition home, this allows 15 openings for younger survivors to begin their healing process. These two homes will accommodate a total of 45 girls. (1)
‘Mukti’ translates to freedom, emancipation, and liberation, aiming to eradicate all inequalities and violence against women, particularly in Nepal. (2)
The following success story uses a fictitious name to protect the survivor.
“Anika" was trafficked in a Hindu temple when she was 10 years old. For five years, she endured physical and sexual exploitation. She contracted an STI that affected her physically, emotionally, and mentally. Her disease progressed to the point where she was hospitalized, and that is where she was recognized as a victim of trafficking and freed. Even after she was rescued, she struggled physically, emotionally, and mentally.
“Anika” was turned away from every other facility due to violent self-harm outbursts, which occurred when she was overwhelmed or triggered emotionally. She was eventually sent to a mental health hospital, where they used medications to control her. That is when JOY’s Mukti Home staff were contacted and asked to care for her, as she had nowhere else to go.
After the staff brought her to the JOY Mukti Home, she still struggled, but the staff relentlessly worked with mental health professionals to get her the care she needed. The team of counselors, therapists, and psychiatrists worked together to adjust her medications, heal her physical symptoms, and address her emotional distress.
Slowly, “Anika” began healing from the inside out. With regular therapy and loving support from the caregivers of Mukti Home, she grew with stability day by day. She learned coping techniques for trauma and stress, so she no longer had violent outbursts. Although she still experienced difficult emotions and painful memories, her healing was progressing.
She started taking remedial education classes with the educators at Mukti Home to catch up on the years of lost schooling. Most of all, she began to feel safe again, which allowed her to have fun, express herself, and heal. She now considers the staff her family and calls JOY’s Mukti Home her home. “Anika’s” road to healing is not over, but she has come so far!
Definitions and Statistics: Nepal, An Escalating Concern
Human sex trafficking is defined as using force, fraud, or coercion to obtain a commercial sex act with an adult or cause a minor to commit a commercial sex act. A commercial sex act is when someone is paid to do something sexual or record sexual imagery of another person. (3 )
The National Human Rights Commission in Nepal has estimated that 1.5 million Nepalis are vulnerable to human trafficking, with girls aged 11-25 years old at the highest risk. (4) 40% of Nepal’s total population is under the age of 18, meaning many young girls are at risk. (5)
Nepali victims are trafficked within Nepal, the Middle East, and even Europe.
JOY International’s Mukti Home is a safe home for survivors of child trafficking, ages 8 to 18.
An estimated 150,000 to 200,000 Nepali women and girls are trafficked to Indian brothels each year. These victims are forced into prostitution and may be one of the busiest slave trafficking routes anywhere in the world. (6)
Enduring Neglect, Abuse, and Trauma: Victims Become Trapped
In Nepal, several factors expose young girls to the risk of sex trafficking. Poverty and illiteracy create a challenging environment, pushing girls and young women to seek better opportunities. Sadly, these dreams of a better life are often manipulated by perpetrators, trapping victims in the web of trafficking for sexual exploitation.
Sometimes, families have good intentions of selling their daughters to fraudulent organizations to offer them education and career opportunities. Instead, their traffickers sell them for commercial sex acts.
One study reported that girls were forced to serve an average of 14 clients per day, with a minimum of three and a maximum of 40 men. (7)
Another alarming issue is violence. It involves control, coercion, and the use of force against those who are already in vulnerable situations. Human trafficking is more than a physical violation—it is a complete dismantling of a child’s sense of self.
These young girls have experienced extreme neglect and unspeakable abuse. Oftentimes, family members are active traffickers — this makes it nearly impossible to escape.
Mukti Home Provides Trauma Informed Care Professionals
Victims suffer severe emotional and psychological distress along with their physical scars. Mukti Home survivors receive extensive counseling, medical care, and long-term support. Our specially trained professionals have experience with trauma and abuse victims. Four main concerns are addressed during their stay at JOY International’s Mukti Home.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – Flashbacks, nightmares, and an ongoing sense of fear make it difficult for survivors to feel safe.
Depression and Anxiety – A loss of trust in people, a sense of hopelessness, and overwhelming sadness are common.
Shame and Guilt – Many victims, despite being innocent, carry deep shame from their experiences, especially when their own families are involved.
Physical Health Issues – Malnutrition, untreated injuries, and chronic conditions resulting from prolonged abuse.
JOY International Mukti Home in Nepal has funded provisions for safe housing, remedial education, counseling, job training, family support, medical care, legal representation, 24-hour security, and lots of love as they journey toward healing. (8)
Without comprehensive support, many of these young girls remain trapped in a cycle of trauma and vulnerability. This is why a safe, long-term refuge like Mukti Home is essential to their recovery.
Opening JOY’s Mukti Transition Home Is Critical To Their Healing Process
JOY International began funding Mukti Home, Nepal, in 2024. This safe house provides immediate refuge and recovery. But as these girls progress through healing, they need a place to take the next steps toward full independence.
JOY International Mukti Transition Home will focus on long-term care and equip them with continued safe housing, trauma counseling, education and vocational training, legal assistance, and life skills training.
This safe home will not only protect these young women but will also empower them with the tools they need to thrive beyond their trauma.
With an average ratio of 1:2 staff to survivors, these girls establish safe and authentic connections with their mentors.
The Cost of Giving Hope: Mukti Home — Value Immeasurable
Establishing and maintaining JOY International Mukti Transition Home requires funding for many critical components. Each aspect is essential to creating a safe, healing, and empowering environment for these young women as they rebuild their lives.
Our annual financial goal of $240K will support 30 girls in our JOY Mukti Home and open our Mukti Transition Home to relocate and house 15 more stable girls. This will open 15 new beds for young girls to fill after they are rescued.
With your gift, young girls will be given a second chance.
Breakdown of the Key Cost Factors:
1. Housing & Food
Rent & Initial costs: Lease the property and create a comfortable home with proper facilities.
Utilities: Electricity, water, and sanitation to maintain a clean and safe living space.
Nutritious meals: Providing balanced, daily meals to support physical and mental well-being.
2. Professional Counseling
Survivors suffer from deep trauma, PTSD, and emotional wounds that require ongoing therapy. Costs may include therapy sessions, support groups, and healing workshops.
Funding supports trained counselors and psychologists who specialize in trauma recovery.
3. Education & Skill-Building Programs
Remedial education helps young women complete schooling.
Vocational training to empower them for financial independence.
4. Salaries for Dedicated Staff
Trained caregivers, social workers, house managers, and cooks who provide day-to-day support.
24-hour Security personnel to protect residents from outside threats.
Teachers and vocational trainers who help survivors gain knowledge and job skills.
Administrative staff to ensure smooth operations.
Additional Costs:
Medical care: Routine check-ups and emergency healthcare.
Legal assistance: All survivors need legal representation to help prosecute their perpetrators.
Real Numbers In Real Time
Why Your Donations Matter
You're not just funding a building when you give to JOY International Mukti Home. You’re renewing lives and reclaiming futures. Your donation is an investment in:
The Victims – Offering them safety, healing, and a future filled with hope.
The Community – Empowering survivors to become strong, contributing members of society and reduce cycles of poverty and exploitation.
You, the Donor – There is no greater reward than knowing you have changed a life forever.
“The National Human Rights Commission of Nepal toured Mukti Home and has since designated Mukti Home their #1 referral agency for sex trafficking cases involving minors in all of Nepal! This demonstrates the quality of care received at Mukti, and JOY International is so proud of the staff there!” (10)
“Opening a transition home will open up space at the JOY Mukti Home for new minor-aged girls to be removed from trafficking and begin their healing journey.”
Join Us In Building A Future Of Freedom, Healing, And Empowerment
Every contribution, big or small, brings us closer to opening JOY’s Mukti Transition Home. Your generosity fuels transformation, breaking the chains of trafficking and replacing them with opportunities for healing, growth, and independence.
JOY International has various opportunities for our communities to raise awareness and funds to support JOY International’s Mukti Home. Some include:
Invite JOY to speak for an intimate dinner or lunch with your network. Or a JOY team member can speak at your church, school, university, or community group.
An upcoming opportunity in 2025 is the JOY of Freedom Festival. This cultural festival will include a “Walk Around the World” to learn about the countries in which JOY International works. There will be live music, food, a large silent auction, and family-friendly cultural activities to engage and educate community members of all ages! Information is coming soon.
Please join our newsletter to keep updated with the JOY of Freedom Festival for 2025 and other fundraising events.
Together, we can give trafficked victims a life of freedom, healing, and empowerment! Let’s ensure that these brave survivors never walk alone again. Thank you for your support!
https://secure.qgiv.com/for/joyinternationalmuktihome/ JOY International Mukti Home
https://www.dhs.gov/blue-campaign/what-human-trafficking Definition of Human Trafficking
https://www.nepjol.info/index.php/nutaj/article/view/23451/19859 NUTA JOURNAL references
https://www.unicef.org/nepal/children-nepal Children in Nepal
Sanzero Eller, Lucille (April 23, 2004). "Psychological Factors in Nepali Former Commercial Sex Workers with HIV". Journal of Nursing Scholarship. 35 (1): 53–60. doi:10.1111/j.1547-5069.2003.00053.x. PMID 12701527.
http://www.ilo.int/legacy/english/regions/asro/newdelhi/ipec/download/resources/nepal7. nppubl01eng9.pdf Archive article from the WAYBACK MACHINE
https://secure.qgiv.com/for/joyinternationalmuktihome/ JOY International Mukti Home
https://secure.qgiv.com/for/joyinternationalmuktihome/ Costs Breakdown
https://www.joy.org/joy-international-mukti-home Mukti Home #1
https://www.joy.org/newsletter-sign-up JOY International Newsletter Sign Up
Written and Created By: Mary Lusk, Lusk Copywriting Solutions
