Our Sansar wins at the Charity Awards 2023

Our Sansar is delighted to announce that it has taken the top prize in the International Aid & Development category at this year’s Charity Awards, the longest-running and most prestigious awards scheme in the charity sector.

Our Sansar was recognised for its work rescuing children as young as 6 years old from the worst forms of child labour in Nepal – those that worked from dawn to dusk in extremely hazardous conditions in brick factories.

Now 93 children are being helped with education and the families are assisted with the provision of rice for the amount that the children were earning at the factories. In the meantime, the charity is working on a sustainable plan for the families in the future.

Their investigation into child labour at the brick factories resulted in a VICE World News documentary by Sahar Zand. Our Sansar are estimating that there are around 2500 children working at the brick factories all over the district and they are hoping to expand the project to other areas soon. The charity will continue to push the boundaries and discover new ways of tackling problems facing freeing children from illegal work in Nepal and provide them with access to education and a brighter future.

Alongside the nine other category winners, the Overall Winner and the recipient of the Daniel Phelan Award for Outstanding Achievement, Our Sansar was presented with the trophy at a black-tie ceremony at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London on 7 June, hosted by broadcaster, commentator and writer Ayesha Hazarika.

The Charity Awards shortlist is chosen by an independent panel of expert judges, themselves all eminent figures in the charity sector. The judges score each entry against six Hallmarks of Excellence before coming together for two days of challenge and discussion to select the winners.

Matt Nolan, chief executive of Civil Society Media which organises the Charity Awards, congratulated Our Sansar on winning the highly-coveted award. He said:

“Against the backdrop of a devastating pandemic followed closely by an eye-watering cost-of-living crisis, the external environment has seldom been more challenging for UK charities. Yet the standard of entries in this year’s Charity Awards proves that the sector is as resilient, tenacious and effective as it has ever been. To win an award is a real badge of honour, and the team at Our Sansar should be truly proud of their achievements.”

Julia Krepska, chief executive at Our Sansar, said:

“It is such an honour to win this award as so much work has gone into ensuring children stop working in brick factories and are given an opportunity to go to school, often for the first time in their lives. I would like to thank all who believe in us and support us in this unforgettable journey!”

ENDS