82-year-old "Abolitionist" Shares her Simple Way to Free Child Slaves in Nepal

by Aimee Herd : Jul 10, 2008 : Dan Harris – ABC News

"It's very difficult to think that in the 21st century, this [slavery] is a practice. But, it's happening all over the world, and a lot of people don't know about it." –Olga Murray

(Katmandu, Nepal)—You are never too young—or in this case, too old—to make a difference in other people's lives. Olga Murray (82) is a prime example of this. (Photo: ABC News)

Featured as part of an in-depth investigation by ABC News into modern-day slavery (of mostly children), Olga's story reveals her remarkably simple solution to the child-slave problem in Nepal.

The retired lawyer and California resident, who now spends half her time in Nepal, found early on that the parents of girls sold into servitude were usually doing so because they could not afford to support the rest of their family. But when offered another way out of their dilemma, they would take it.

Olga's organization, the Nepalese Youth Opportunity Foundation, tells the parents that if they will keep their daughter instead of selling her into slavery, they will give that family a piglet or a baby goat—which can later be sold for a profit. In addition, the organization offers to pay for the girl's education, a cost of about $50 per year.

Surprisingly, this simple resolution has helped to virtually wipe out child slavery in the few areas where it's been tried.

To read the ABC News report, follow the source link provided.

   

• Son of Voodoo Priest Leads Fellow Haitians to Christ
• Ordinary Pet, Extraordinary Gift: Meet Oscar—the Hospice Cat
• George Barna Lauds Great Leaders
• Crows Found to Have Gift:  Incredibly Adept at Recognizing Specific People for Years
• Thursday's National Prayer Breakfast Featured Comments from President Obama and a Prayer from Tim Tebow
• Miracle as 3-Year-Old's Inoperable Brain Tumor Disappears
• Best NFL Role Model, Kurt Warner, Thanks God for His Career
• Spotlight on Hollywood: Role of Mary Magdalene Transforms Actress Amy Hess
• A "Pro-choice" Columnist Hails Tim Tebow's "Pro-Life" Super Bowl Ad
• Doctors "Confident" that New Microwave Therapy Could Destroy Cancer Cells, Reduce Mastectomies
• Italy's Prime Minister Wants Israel to Join the European Union
• Scientific Study Finds Prayer Sparks Forgiveness
• Groundbreaking Study Proves Abstinence Education Works
• Woman is Still the "Picture of Health" Two Years After Being Healed of COPD
• Texas Pastor Working Outside of the Box in Multifaith Dialogue With Muslims and Jews
• World Vision Declares February Month of Prayer for Haiti's Children
• Super Bowl-bound Saints' QB Drew Brees Shares about His Faith and the Role it Plays in His Game
• Personhood Rocks Three New States
• What Would Peter Think? Sea of Galilee Declared "No Fishing" Zone for Two Years
• The Dynamics of Dread, the Power of Pain, and the Conversation I Had With My Kidney (Part Two)

   
 

Listen online to 24/7 streaming radio of cutting edge music by
ElijahStreams!

"I have just been introduced to your network and have been basking in the blessing all day! I hope all the listeners will continue to support you so that this blessing on the Church can continue."
- an ElijahStreams Listener

Steve Shultz, Managing Editor

Aimee Herd, Editor

Teresa Neumann, Reporter