The Dark Secret Behind Nepal's Orphan Industry

Paper Orphans (2013): As Western families scramble to adopt, Nepalese orphanages have created a dark human industry. Plundering children from vulnerable parents, they are selling them abroad as 'orphans' for large sums of money. Subscribe to journeyman for daily uploads:

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"She knew very well that I was his mother. When they came for him, she knew it!" Khanchi, a distraught Nepali mother shouts. Her son was adopted into a Western family who had no idea of her existence. Like many of Nepal's poor, Khanchi had put her child into an orphanage so that he would receive an education and proper care. They promised she could regularly visit. Instead, the owner of the orphanage, Sabitra, faked the child's papers and sold him to America.

When confronted about what she did Sabitra shows no remorse and an examination of her records shows that she's done the same with hundreds of children. "There are details for the adoptive parents here. And frequently the name of the biological mother or father and contact details too."

Prospective Western parents visiting orphanages like this are usually confronted with sob stories about the struggles involved in running the institution, asked to donate and then offered a child to adopt for a large fee. Jurgen runs a charity helping re-connect these adopted children with their families. "These people have done this for many years, ruining many lives", he explains.

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Filip Huygens – Ref. 5904

Journeyman Pictures is your independent source for the world's most powerful films, exploring the burning issues of today. We represent stories from the world's top producers, with brand new content coming in all the time. On our channel you'll find outstanding and controversial journalism covering any global subject you can imagine wanting to know about.

[reefglider]

Thank you for raising this dark subject of child trafficking. I’m glad someone is trying to help these vulnerable children and their parents.

[oiachis]

It's really sad to see parents sending their children to an orphanage while they are still alive.

[RoMa-djof]

Nice effort on making the video. Never had clue about this dark side even being Nepalese myself.

[sandargyi]

Excellent report, Philip Hugens! Thumbs up!!!

[ChaplainDeanna]

Very sad for the child, the mother and the adoptive parents. Evil people taking advantage of the poor.

[Anitacollins]

So do these parents use the orphanages like a boarding school? Wonder if the parents have to pay for the room and board or do they just take them and drop them off?

[arjun]

Who came here after watching Project Kura and IDS.

[wym]

You always have such amazing documentaries. I hope to work for you guys one day.

[deepen]

Thank you for uploading this documentary. Hope to see more awesome documentaries.

[rinty]

Thanks for all the documentaries you upload. :)

[devindichiara]

I cannot believe this !, !!! The Nepal govt needs to do something about They need a revolution !!!

[Nepalihandyman]

Thank you for your time and good work,

[saajangurung]

Thank you brother for making this video this is really bad things happen in my country I m hoping to god . He will change all this all evil thinks from my country.🙏🏻 Amen

[actionforchildrightsintern]

For those who want to support the parents and our work in Nepal; "Like" us on our Facebook page (acr.int). By doing so you show the parents they are not alone in their fight against the criminals who sold their children. On the other hand you show the government we, the parents and ACR, are not alone, but many persons expect the government to punish the criminals who sold more then 90 children! Thanks for your support!

[kpzcbttp]

There were paper orphans in the UK as well in the 1940s 1950s and 1960s many of them went to Australia. This also happened on some of the Islands owned by the French.

[bookcreator]

Obviously, I imagine finding out the truth of his situation would bother him but I don't see how else he would be emotionally/ psychologically destroyed unless the couple was abusive. It would only end up that way if he was ripped away from the American parents. And they ARE his parents now; she's just some stranger to him

[diesel]

Please world .. have one kid and give him/her everything instead of having loads and not being able to feed them proper .. HOW grown up world has to be to REALISE THIS !! .. :( :(

[nibedita]

I am shocked and u Journeyman pictures for this documentary... Its a very sad situation... i feel sorry for everything that has happpened..and that has been happening.. Its so painful to see tears roll down their eyes..when me, a Nepali, is more priviledged than these children..and i still am helpless.. :(

[nswkirstie]

not all of their videos are their own work ive seen too many sbs stories (mostly dateline)
i think they just upload good stories from current event shows
not that im complaining just stating facts im subscribed to this channel

[chicagogyrl]

Very strange look on the mother's face! And no tears after seeing the picturex!