| Username |
Post |
| Scarlett |
Posted
on 20-Aug-01 10:55 AM
Hi everyone, Did anyone happen to see this article in Saturday's Globe. This is what I was able to pull from the archives:
CHILDREN OF CONVICTS SHARE THEIR SENTENCE
REJECTION, LACK OF SERVICES PUNISH INNOCENTS
Published on 08/18/2001. Article 1 of 33 found.
SOURCE: By Indira A.R. Lakshmanan, Globe Staff KATMANDU, Nepal - "Rahul Gupta spends his days on a lice-infested cot in a musty, cavern-like prison dormitory with 6-foot ceilings and no windows, trying to shut out the noise of bickering convicts while he studies under a bare lightbulb.
At night, the 11-year-old sleeps in the same unguarded room, cheek by jowl with a dozen snoring strangers - tattooed musclemen convicted of everything from human trafficking to rape and murder."
Could GBNC organize a fundraiser or something for these children. There are already charities working in Nepal to sent homes for these children, but obviously they could use money. I don't have any experience in organizing a fundraiser, but I'm sure that there are many people in the community who would volunteer. Any ideas. Please share them!!
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| diwas k |
Posted
on 20-Aug-01 01:24 PM
I don't claim to know the best solution to the problem, but I know for sure that financial charity is not the answer here. Let us not assume that charity would solve this problem. Yes, money is an issue, but unless the very practice of stigmatizing those in incarceration is challenged with an open mind and a creative approach, all the money put in the charity pot will only de-emphasize the issues at hand.
A reform movement, however small it may be, could best begin to tackle the problem. Getting one child out of this situation, as a humble beginning, would work to set up a system for further work. And yes, I am yakking from the comfort of my desk, fully lit with a zillion watts lamp, far away from the reality the story portrays.
_diwas
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| Scarlett |
Posted
on 20-Aug-01 05:32 PM
I agree that the system of imprisoning children needs a total revision. The best scenerio would be for us not to have this discussion at all, because all children were treated properly. I am all for working towards this reform, but how long will that take? Months, years? In the meantime, children are still imprisoned, beaten, and sexually abused. Yes let us start a petition or letter-writing campaign to send to the officials in Kathmandu demanding a serious improvement of living conditions for children.
While we work on this, a fundraiser may be able to free some children from this tragedy. Of course this is not the only solution. But I do not think a child should have to wait for the political process to get its act together. Even if only one child benefits from this, it will be well worth it. So GBNC, let us do both. There are lots of complaints that GBNC doesn't do enough. Well, here is our chance. Let's not waste it.
I have done some brainstorming about ideas for a fundraiser. Again, I'm not quite sure how do go about this. I ask again for anyone's ideas. Perhaps the next time GBNC has a meeting (and I'm not sure when the next one is), myself and anyone else can present ideas to the council and we can get the ball rolling.
Thanks again for the response. I greatly appreciate it. I hope to here from many more GBNC members!!
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| namita |
Posted
on 21-Aug-01 09:06 AM
scarlett,
yup, let's talk about this in the next meeting. there is going to be election this coming October for a new president. maybe we can put forward this agenda and see what happens. this could be the beginning -to improve the lives of those imprisioned children.
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| Mahesh |
Posted
on 21-Aug-01 10:43 AM
Election would be a good oppertunity to bring this issue. But the question is, IS the community willing to lend a hand here. I certainly would not count on it(knowing the nature of the people). The best way to help these kids is to go through some International child advocacy group. If we just send the money, that would be pocketed by some corrupt politician. If if we send it through some charity, it sure would get to the much needed people. We could write to the christian non profit organizations too. They seem to be the most organized in Nepal.And they are actually there to help(at the expense of converting people). Anything local is most likely to be corrupt. There are some international charity organizations like the JAYCEES, or the LIONS club are also pretty reliable.
For fund raising, the best way to get big chunks is to get the corporations involved. Individuals working in large corporations can go to their Human Resource dept. to see if they can help this cause. This would also generate some noise in the media, which in turn(hopefully) would bring THE ISSUE to the limlight.
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| Scarlett |
Posted
on 21-Aug-01 05:39 PM
Starting any kind of volunteer work, it is always difficult finding help at first. If the cause is able to get media coverage and attention, it does become a little easier. Although this is on a much larger scale, Special Olympics never has problems getting volunteers, although I am sure that it was easier for them since a Kennedy founded it. My point is, we should be realistic that most of the community will not participate in this. I only hope that if it is successful, any future charity work will have more volunteers.
I think we should try to contact charity organizations already working in Nepal (great suggestion- Thanks Mahesh!) I will try to do some research on this before the next council meeting, which I am told will be in a couple weeks (when I find out the date, I will let you know).
Corporations are also a great idea. Before we even get to that step though, we have to do a lot of organizing. We need to know exactly what organization we are going to work with, how exactly children will benefit from this. Some companies may not write a check out to GBNC. We may have to open a separate account "GBNC Children's Fund" or something like that. Finally, companies will be more likely to donate to causes that can give them publicity. Perhaps we could organize some type of evet (dinner, cultural program, concert). This will give companies publicity (programs, annoucement during the event, etc) as well as get possible donations from individuals.
Once we get this all straighten out (which I hope will happen at the next meeting or at the election) then it would be great for members to approach their respective companies about this. We will probably print a form letter for members to give to their HR dept. (they usually require this)
Thanks for the encouragment Namita and Mahesh!
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| oohi_ashu |
Posted
on 21-Aug-01 08:14 PM
Hi all,
A good friend of mine, Rajaram Dhakal, a lawyer at Kathmandu's Inhured International (in Putali Sadak), has been campaigning for the rights of
prisoned children for at least three years now.
Rajram, who is in his late 20s, is a smart, dedicated young lawyer, and having worked with him on the Kamaiya issue last year, I have come to have enormous respect for him. If you are interested, for info and networking for your purposes of activism, you may wish to first get in touch with Rajaram in Kathmandu.
Instead of posting his email address here publicly, what I can do is this. I'll send him an email about all this, and maybe: a) he can visit this site to share some first-hand info; or b) he may respond personally to some of you via email.
No promises; but let's see how things go.
Meantime, keep your activist spirits alive!!
oohi
ashu
glasgow, scotland
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| oohi_ashu |
Posted
on 21-Aug-01 08:24 PM
>Meantime, keep your activist spirits alive!!
Oh, I forgot to add: The only way evil triumphs in our Nepal societies is when
good men and women just stand there and do nothing.
So, yes.
Raise some hell
Kick a few butts (i.e. do not be afraid to make some enemies who may well
want to roast you in open fire!!)
Show some just anger.
And above all, after careful study, believe in yourself and in the causes you
are fighting for.
Bringing out positive changes in Nepal is painful and personally risky to many people. But from Boston, do what you can . . . even if it means writing letters
against the the practice of putting children in jail.
Who knows, Nepal may just be a better place because, hey, some of you
dared to do any or all of the above.
oohi
ashu
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| Scarlett |
Posted
on 22-Aug-01 08:50 AM
Thanks Ashu!! It would be very benefitical for us to hear the info Mr. Dhakal has (his experiences, what works, what doesn't, reputable organizations, etc.) If he can visit this site, that would be a great start!
On my last posting, I suggested possible ideas for a fundraiser (dinner, cultural program, concert.) What do you all think? Whatever we do, donations from the community and volunteers would make it more successful since it would cut cost of having the event.
Does GBNC post a message when a council meeting is schedule? It would be nice if they did, since everyone would know when they could come and share ideas.
Please let me know any suggestions anyone might have. And thanks!!
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| President |
Posted
on 22-Aug-01 03:12 PM
Hi all,
YES, GBNC is interested in doing something feasiable for these kids. How about all of us (who are interested to do something about this) get together and go thru a brain stromming session. Namita Didi and Scarlett, why don't one of you or both of you come up with time and place to get together? I will notify all GBNC Members, who are intereseted, to join us. Most of all let's not make this only a discussion issue in the web. Let's get together and change the lifes of these innocent kids.
-Sachit.
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| Scarlett |
Posted
on 22-Aug-01 04:09 PM
Hi everyone! Any place for a meeting is fine with me. Where does GBNC usually have the meetings. Anytime Sunday, or Monday-Wednesday evening of next week is OK for me. I'm not sure what people's schedules are like. I'm also not sure if that is enough notice for people to get ideas together. It would be nice if we could get started before everyone goes back to school, which I will be doing the first week in Sept. If next week is not possible, then the week after sometime would be OK. What about everyone else?
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| oohi_ashu |
Posted
on 22-Aug-01 07:23 PM
Hi all,
I have forwarded this whole thread to Rajaram Dhakal at Inhured International
(Putali Sadak) in Kathmandu. Maybe Rajaram will visit this site and share his first-hand experiences of working with children inside the Bhadra-gol Jail (what a name for our Central Jail!); may be he's too busy: we'll see.
My only pieces of advice: Do NOT expect quick results or fast solutions; take
time to learn the facts and underlying issues (Rajaram can be a good resource person for this); expect to be frustrated by other people's "so what" attitude toward this whole issue of 'child prisoners'; and whatever you do, take that as a first step of a long journey toward understanding the sheer complexity of the
issues involved . . .
Speaking up for the oppressed/downtrodden is a thankless task anywhere in the world, and all the more so in Nepal where there are myriad of other competing priorities, but don't let any of that hold you down. After all, emotional rewards that come from what you do can end up being enormously fulfilling and satisfying.
Best wishes, and hats off to Sachit and his colleagues on GBNC Council for their willingness to think through this issue seriously.
oohi
ashu
glasgow, scotland
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| namita |
Posted
on 23-Aug-01 09:33 AM
Just one caution.
Whoever wants to be involved in this issue let's not make it a week-end-job-where-there-is-nothing-else-to-do. Let's make a commitment to take it to the highest leve where our activism will make a difference. Every week let's make a plan to meet and MEET. What do you say?
namita
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| Scarlett |
Posted
on 23-Aug-01 10:21 AM
Hi Everyone! Good point Namita- we should not just make this a weekend job. We should meet frequently in order to come up with more ideas and events to benefit these kids. I hope that the times I left on my previous posting is convenient for some people who want to get involved in the first meeting. If it isn't, please say so that way we can work something else out as soon as possible.
I was able to find some information on the Nepal Child Welfare Foundation. It is run by Captain Khem Thapa, who is retired from the British army. There isn't that much information on the website, but anyone who is interested can go to:
http://www.charitynet.org/~ebtrust/pages/ncwf.html
I think we should have the meeting first before we contact the agency, allowing ourselves to get organized and figure out exactly what we are going to do.
Again, anyone who is interested in taking part in this, please post your ideas and if possible attend the meeting. Thanks!!
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| sad guy |
Posted
on 24-Aug-01 02:43 PM
this is really sad
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| wantstoknow |
Posted
on 27-Aug-01 11:33 AM
so when is the meeting on this subject? Scarlett, are you interested? if so then I MYSELF WILL post the time and date and meet, ok?
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| Scarlett |
Posted
on 27-Aug-01 11:36 AM
Yes!! I am very interested in a meeting. I am going out of town of Thursday. If you want to meet one Tuesday or Wednesday night, that would be OK. If not this week, then Friday night of next week is fine. Let me know when it is OK for you.
Thanks for the response!!
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| wantstoknow |
Posted
on 27-Aug-01 12:50 PM
Let's do it Friday night September 7, 2001 at 8 pm. How does watertown sound to everybody who is interested in this issue? Hopefully by that time we may hear from this lawyer in Ktm. Ashu, if you are reading this will you let us know if you have heard anything from him?
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| Sachit |
Posted
on 28-Aug-01 09:08 AM
Dear Wantstoknow,
Would you pls. let me know who you are? Watertown is fine with me. But before I agree to a meeting place, i would like to know who you are.
-Sachit
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| Scarlett |
Posted
on 28-Aug-01 09:12 AM
Sounds good to me. Whereabouts in Watertown do you want to meet? Somewhere accessible to public transportation would be best for me at least. I have contacted Sachit and he will come as well. Anyone else wishing to take part, please do so.
If anyone has taken part in playing past events for GBNC, it would be of great help if you provided us with some information (past costs on food, venue, entertainment, etc)
Again, any info would be a great help. Thank you in advance!!
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| Scarlett |
Posted
on 28-Aug-01 09:27 AM
Oh yeah! Thanks Sachit for reminding me. I think in an issue like this, real identities sound be used. Especially since we are all planning on meeting face-to-face. Irregardless if wantstoknow wants to identify him or herself, we still sound have the meeting next Friday. If not in Watertown, maybe in Cambridge.
Wantstoknow-I really appreciate you setting up this meeting. But you must admit that it would be awkward for Sachit and I to go meet someone who we do not the identity of. Hope you understand, and thanks again!!
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| namita |
Posted
on 28-Aug-01 09:35 AM
Just wanted to see the response. It is me. Scarlett, you brought up the subject. I had heard about this here and there but don't have much info on this particular issue. Please bring it with you and and I will also see what I can find out. As I understand these children are with their parents who are "in" for some crime. Or am i mistaken that they there for some petty crime? No matter,the situation that they are in is deplorable and has to be done something about it. I wish that lawyer guy would contact us. Sachit has my phone number please give me a call and i will let you know the address.
Namita
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| Scarlett |
Posted
on 28-Aug-01 09:41 AM
Thanks Namita, I can't wait to meet with you next Friday. I will bring in a copy of the article and I will try to get a hold of the Nepal Child Welfare Foundation and maybe UNICEF. So, whereabouts in Watertown?
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| namita |
Posted
on 28-Aug-01 09:58 AM
It is 45 Barnard Ave. 71 bus from Harvard square. Get off in Watertown High (Russel Ave.) Take 2nd left on Columbia St. 1st right on Barnard. 4th house. It is not more that 5 min. walk.
See you, Sachit and whoever is serious about this issue, on the 7th.
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| Sachit |
Posted
on 28-Aug-01 10:16 AM
Hi Namita Didi and Scarlet,
We will see you then. Namita Didi ,So I can cash in my dinner coupon this time? ;-)
-Sachit.
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| namita |
Posted
on 28-Aug-01 10:28 AM
Sorry that coupon has already been exprired. Maybe you will get a glass of water (tap). : )
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| kesab |
Posted
on 28-Aug-01 11:50 AM
namita didi,
is your last name a nepali name? are u married?.
kesab
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| namita |
Posted
on 28-Aug-01 01:01 PM
Hi Kesab,
Are you interested to do something for those unfortunate children? Please come by if you are. I think it is true that charity begins at home. Let's take one step at a time. This could be our chance to do something for the country we have left behind and still love.
About your question. Yes, I am married, happily. : )
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| kesab |
Posted
on 28-Aug-01 04:13 PM
namita didi-i am in highschool,in Halifax,Canada.
By the way are u bhotini,newarni,bauni,chettrini,or mixture of all the above. Just want to know a little about our didi ni.
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| Rakesh |
Posted
on 28-Aug-01 04:26 PM
Are you this curious about everybody? I think you should concentrate on your textbooks not surf around and ask very personal questions. It is just a suggestion from a big brother. I hope you don't mind.
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| Rocker |
Posted
on 28-Aug-01 04:30 PM
I think he is bi and curious...
and nothings wrong with that....
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| Scarlett |
Posted
on 29-Aug-01 08:13 AM
Hi Kesab- I hope that high school is going well for you. If I may, I would like to ask if you are interested in helping us raise money for children in Nepal. If so, wonderful!! If not, could you please post unrelated comments to another thread. I would like this thread to focus solely on the issue of imprisoned children in Nepal. I hope that you will continue to share your comments and ideas w/ GBNC.
Can anyone give me names of charity organizations in Nepal that help children. I am going to contact NCWF and UNICEF today, but if there are anymore, I would like to contact them as well. Thank you!!
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