Stories about children’s days

Arpita, 16 year old girl

children’s real names are protected
Arpita, 16, works in a massage and spa venue. She has been working since she was eight years old. She travels around the country to be with customers as they wish, and also helps customers find under aged girls for sex. She suffers from a uterine infection and a bad back.

About Arpita’s life

Arpita’s father is an alcoholic and, due to the poor financial situation of her family, Arpita was taken out of school when she was eight years old and taken to work at a hotel. Her elder sister was taken to a different hotel. Both girls worked as dishwashers and cleaners. A neighbour in the village found them these jobs. Arpita never returned to school. At present, Arpita sometimes lives with her elder sister and sometimes with a friend.

Arpita’s father is an alcoholic

Arpita’s father is an alcoholic

Serving one or two customers a day is not enough for me to earn well. It is also boring when there aren’t any guests. On top of that it is very cold here and we don’t have a heater.

Inside the massage and spa venue service rooms

Inside the massage and spa venue service rooms

Arpita found her current job, in a massage and spa venue, through a friend.

Through this job, Arpita has made connections with customers, and she has started hanging out with some of them. She also has a circle of friends who work in the sex industry.

Arpita has an infection in her uterus, back pain and pain in her hands.

Arpita is now in contact with her mother who is re-married. She does not have a good relationship with her father.

Medicine for an infection of the uterus

Medicine for an infection of the uterus

Arpita in her workplace

Arpita does not live in one city or place for long however, she often travels from Kathmandu to Pokhara or to other cities throughout Nepal, following new work opportunities.

Arpita works on commission and also relies on tips from customers.

Arpita tells our research team that if we want a girl under the age of 17, we can contact her, and she will help us find them. The fact that this invitation is made is an indication of how normal it is for Arpita to arrange sex between adults and girls under 18 years of age.

Arpita at work

Arpita at work

I just served a customer. He was decent. He also gave me a good tip. I am feeling happy.

Arpita’s day

Massage and spa street

Massage and spa street

9am
At home

Arpita’s experience

Taking showers during the winter is really challenging when there is only cold water.

Researcher’s experience

Arpita is living with a friend who also works at the massage and spa parlour. She does not have her own place in Kathmandu.

Travelling through Kathmandu at rush hour

Travelling through Kathmandu at rush hour

10.30am
Journey to work

Arpita’s experience

It’s difficult walking on the dusty road. Then, the bus is over-crowded so it’s a difficult journey.

Researcher’s experience

On her journey Arpita experiences back pain and pain in her hands.

Inside the massage and spa venue service rooms

Inside the massage and spa venue service rooms

11am
At work at the massage and spa

Arpita’s experience

I am sitting and chatting with a customer. He is a regular customer. It’s boring when there are no customers. It’s cold and I don’t like sitting idly. I just served a customer. He was decent. He also gave me a tip of NPR 500 (US $4). I am feeling happy.

We have run out of gas. It is cold. I am bored.

Researcher’s experience

Arpita completes a massage and chats to a customer in a familiar and flirtatious manner. Arpita eats lunch in a hotel – today with friends but sometimes with customers.

The local neighbourhood

The local neighbourhood

8pm
Travelling home

Arpita’s experience

I travel home with friends on the bus, we chat together and with the driver. We mostly travel via (public) bus.

Researcher’s experience

Arpita takes a bus home, travelling with a friend. They are the only two passengers and the bus is heading back to the garage. It feels unsafe, especially because the girls and the driver are flirting with each other.

Arpita talks about the customer she served today, who she thinks is decent, and who tipped her.

Arpita then walks for 10 minutes from the bus stop. Here, a man is waiting for them, it seems Arpita has arranged for him to meet with her friend (they had been talking by phone during the bus journey).

8:30pm
At the market

Arpita’s experience

I am going to buy vegetables with a friend.

Researcher’s experience

Arpita is bargaining whilst buying groceries. She is asking for a reduced price as she is going to Pokhara the next day and is therefore only buying a few vegetables.

9pm
With friends in the evening

Arpita’s experience

I have friends visiting today. We are preparing dinner. We are having fun together and enjoying ourselves.

Researcher’s experience

Arpita loves hanging out with her friends and chatting on social sites.

At times, it feels like Arpita uses code words or a low voice so that the CLARISSA researchers do not understand her meaning.

Going to bed

Explore Arpita’s journey