Joining the Circus Is No Fun if You Are a Slave

Many children around the world fantasize about the freedom and fun of running away to join a circus. But for many others, being in a circus means being a slave.

Bhim Lama, Ganesh Shrestha, and Kumar Giri - all members of the Esther Benjamins Memorial Foundation Rescue Team - have braved threats and intimidation on 40 rescue missions to liberate more than 280 Nepali girls from lives of misery in Indian circuses since 2004.

Most of the children were trafficked at the age of 8 or 9, although some were as young as 5 when they were sold. Professional agents tricked their impoverished and illiterate parents into giving them to the circus for a few dollars. In reality, they were handing over their children to a life of malnourishment, harsh training schedules and vicious beatings by the circus staff. Frequently the girls also were sexually assaulted.

Lama, Shrestha and Giri also have apprehended six agents in Nepal who trafficked the girls; some were prosecuted and some are now serving terms of up to 20 years in jail.

The three men are among the "Heroes Acting to End Modern-Day Slavery" named in the 2008 Trafficking in Persons Report. (See "Reducing Demand Is Key To Curbing Human Trafficking, U.S. Says ( http://www.america.gov/st/hr-english/2008/June/20080604163846ajesrom0.3565332.html ).")

The heroes designation began with the Trafficking in Persons Report for 2004 under then-Secretary of State Colin Powell to recognize ordinary people who have done extraordinary work to combat modern-day slavery. Since then, the State Department has identified each year in its Trafficking in Persons Report individuals who have shown great courage in the face of adversity in fighting this worldwide problem.

Source: U.S. Department of State

judythpiazza@newsblaze.com

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