In 2002 our seminal research unearthed the true extent of a little-known trafficking trade taking young Nepali children (usually daughters as young as five) from their rural families into India where they are sold to circus owners. Hundreds of girls had been trafficked across the border, with many bound by illegal contracts lasting up to 15 years. Since 2004 we have rescued and rehabilitated over 300 Nepali children and young women from Indian circuses. Many had endured regular beatings, while others suffered even worse abuse. Where possible, we reunite children with their parents and fund educational scholarships to help to address the poverty which leads to the trafficking in the first place. Those children who cannot safely be returned to their families are offered compassionate residential care in our refuges, where they also receive educational training and emotional and psychological support. For the older children who may lack the academic ability to join formal education at such a late age, we provide specialist skills training which leads to meaningful employment. The project is ongoing – we will not rest until we have freed all children from this modern-day slavery and provided them with bespoke rehabilitation relevant to their exact needs to give them every opportunity of overcoming their past and developing into happy and independent young people. Our immediate funding needs are: • Financing our circus rescue programme (for six months): £17,015 • Rehabilitation - including the full residential care, education and vocational training of returnees: £26,000 per annum