Gham Power Ready to Bring Light to Maiti Nepal

Maiti Nepal, an organization helping rescue women and children from trafficking, has tapped Gham Power to install a 8.3-kilowatt solar PV system at their rehabilitation center in Gaushala, Kathmandu. The installation started in December 2011 and is expected to complete in January 2012.

Led by Ms. Anuradha Koirala, winner of CNN Hero of the Year 2010 award, the Maiti Nepal center in Kathmandu houses rehabilitation center for the women and girls — whether married or not — who are exploited, their rights grossly violated and neglected by family and society likewise. The Kathmandu center also has a home for children who are affected and a school for these children. The solar PV system from Gham Power will be used to provide power for each rooms in the women and children’s homes. This will also power up the clinic, offices and study centers at Maiti Nepal.

The 8.3 KW system at Maiti Nepal comprises of 45 panels of 185 watts. Maiti Nepal made the decision to go for solar energy as their means of back up solution in addition to their backup of diesel generator. Friends of Maiti Nepal, a non-profit organization based in the US, raised funds from well-wishers to provide this solar PV system for Maiti Nepal.

Maiti Nepal was born out of a crusade to protect Nepali girls and women from crimes like domestic violence, trafficking for flesh trade, child prostitution, child labor and various forms of exploitation and torture. A group of socially committed professionals like teachers, journalists and social workers together formed Maiti Nepal in 1993 to fight against all the social evils inflicted upon our female populace. Most of all, its special focus has always been on preventing trafficking for forced prostitution, rescuing flesh trade victims and rehabilitating them. This social organisation also actively works to find justice for the victimized lot of girls and women by engaging in criminal investigation and waging legal battles against the criminals. It has highlighted the trafficking issue with its strong advocacy from the local to national and international levels.

Gham power has already installed a 3-panel (0.55 w) solar PV system at Maiti Nepal’s Hospice at Sattighatta, Jhapa. This system is being used to power the lights, fridge, computer and TV. The fridge is primarily being used to store medications for the residents.

In April 1999 Maiti Nepal established a hospice on 8.15 acres of land in Sattighatta, Jyamirgadi VDC, Jhapa District, five Kilometres south of Kakarvitta to shelter survivors of trafficking who suffer from various illnesses, including hepatitis, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS. Its residents were moved to Gokarna, kathmandu district when Maiti Nepal’s Sonja Kill Memorial  Hospice was opened in January 2006 and the sattighatta  residents now houses survivors of gender violence suffering from psychiatric disorders.

The hospice provides the residents with their basic needs including shelter, food, and medical care and provides companionship and affection.  To promote long term healing residents are encouraged to participate in vegetable farming, fish breeding and animal husbandry. Gham Power is  happy to be assistance in this cause.