RAJU

At this juncture, staff intervened by visiting him and his mother regularly at home to provide them with essential items. However, Raju and his mother continued to sell tea to help meet their needs.

Later, when partner staff explained to Raju and his mother that this was a form of child labour, and that Raju could have a wholesome life if he went to school, he resorted to work inside an iron/welding workshop so that nobody would see him. After repeated encouragement from Asian Aid partner staff, Raju’s mother realised that the repercussions of Raju working could include the police and child protection authorities taking him away, so she agreed to send him to school. Our anti-human trafficking partner on the ground was constantly in touch with Raju and guided Raju’s mother to visit the Child Welfare Committee and place him in a school. He is now going to school regularly and studying in Grade 9.

*(name changed)