A few years’ ago I listened to a programme on Forces Radio that had been compiled to mark some anniversary of the launch of the service. In it presenters reflected on some of their golden moments from over the years with one veteran, Richard Astbury, recalling how another, Richard Nankivel, had been the victim of a prank. He recounted how an interview had been set up between a visiting foreign dignitary and Nankivel on live radio. His mischevious colleagues hadn’t told Nankivel beforehand that the visitor didn’t speak a word of English.
I was reminded of this anecdote yesterday when we conducted interviews for a new researcher’s appointment within my INGO, Esther Benjamins Trust – Nepal (EBT-N). Chairing the interview, I invited my colleague Chris Kendrick to initiate the questioning of the final candidate who had quite a strong, well-written CV. None of us could have guessed from this that she hardly spoke a word of English. Chris was visibly discomfited by the experience, his own excellent command of English stretched to the limit, writhing as he tried in vain to frame a question that the unfortunate lady would understand. The amazing thing was that she seemed to remain quite cool during this process; I’d have run a mile. In the end I called a premature halt to the interview and we sent her on her way. I guess she, like so many other Nepalis in a land where there is so little work to be had, tries her luck with every appointment that is advertised. You’ve got to admire the tenacity if not the wisdom of it all.
The successful candidate, who has a Masters in Law, was effusive about her interest in joining our effort against trafficking. This is a subject that has been greatly on my mind these past few days, following my unsuccessful fundraising attempts for our Programme in Nepal and after receiving this rather depressing article from my co-worker in Nepal, Helen Sherpa.
Given the scale of the problem and the vast amount of money that is involved in the traffickers’ and collaborators’ ill-gotten gains I really wonder if this, like poverty and prostitution, is an issue that is going to be with us always. We have nothing to counter this with apart from commitment and courage, but these are insufficient if not underpinned by a financial input that just can’t rival the economics of evil that we are up against. When I asked the young lady yesterday what she saw as being the solution she felt it was just a question of interested organisations pulling together to maximise their effort. There is some truth in this but there is also the reality to contend with of the rivalry that inevitably arises between organisations that have similar agendas and are forced into a situation of competing against one another for scarce financial resources (grants).
My depressing conclusion from all of this is that the best we can do at the end of the day is to make some kind of a significant dent in the criminal activity that goes with modern day slavery. And we must do this if we are not to forfeit our right to be part of humanity.
As Bev was carrying Alisha down the hallway this morning Alisha pointed behind her and said “Incey Spider”. When Bev looked around Incey turned out to have the proportions of a dinner plate.
