SASANE Sisterhood Trekking & Travel is a survivor-led social enterprise in Nepal that empowers female survivors of human trafficking by training them as certified trekking guides and hospitality experts, fostering economic independence. Operating a unique hybrid model, the organization reinvests tourism revenue into legal training and education while advocating for social justice and cultural preservation.
Survivors are rescued & rehabilitated women who were trafficked for sexual exploitation and are now in a process of re-integration into the society. They are the pillars of SASANE Sisterhood and they lead our travel operations.
Every year SASANE Sisterhood Trekking & Travel funds the program to train survivor of human trafficking to become certified tour/trekking guides. Upon completion of the trainings, survivors go on to work in different areas of tourism. SASANE Sisterhood Trekking & Travel helps them in their journey to find a sustainable life through tourism. Depending on the need, our company also employs selected/deserving guides to work with us.
Our activities are always accompanied by a pair of guides. One is a regular guide and another is a survivor. Thus we will have 2 guides for most of the activities. Our regular guides are our tour leaders who ensures the highest quality of the trips we offer in coordination with a survivor guide who wants to hone the skills of the trade. This model of operation helps us to train and facilitate survivors to be better equipped before they start to explore the opportunities in wider tourism sector on their own.
SASANE Sisterhood works in a very sensitive area of women empowerment - empowering survivors in tourism through various programs (specially but not limited to tour/trekking guides). One of the most difficult challenge is instilling self confidence and can-do attitude amongst the survivors. This can negatively impact their learning process and rehabilitation which in turn impacts their capability to work in tourism sector where the expectation for a quality of service is higher than ever before. We have experts & counsellors who regularly monitor the progress, motivate and inspire. SASANE Sisterhood is well aware of the challenges that lies ahead and is committed to solve them efficiently.
Survivors who successfully complete their certification of trekking/tour guide go on to work in different areas of tourism and hospitality sector. Till date SASANE Sisterhood Trekking and Travel has certified 31 tour/trekking guides. They work in different areas of tourism like Resorts, Hotels, Restaurants, Travel Agencies, etc. Some have even established their own home stays in rural communities. Depending on the need, SASANE Sisterhood Trekking and Travel also employs deserving tour/trekking guides.
No, Sisterhood does not guarantee employment after completion of certified guide training nor does it entitle anyone to work with us. Our goal is to train survivors to become tour/trekking guides so they can work independently in the tourism sector. However, we do hire few deserving candidates to work with us depending on the need.
No, SASANE Sisterhood is an equal opportunity company where people with various skill sets and background work together. We do not claim to be an organisation where only survivors work. More than 90% of our employees are women.