POVERTY! Inside story of a village where people sell their kidneys for less than ₦400k

It is essential to cultivate an appreciation for and contentment with the modest resources at our disposal. Each individual must consider their unique circumstances. The mere possession of adequate shelter and access to sufficient food should serve as a foundation for expressing gratitude.

Currently, numerous families are grappling with challenging situations, often struggling to secure basic necessities such as housing and daily meals.

Regrettably, such dire circumstances may compel some individuals to engage in criminal activities that endanger their well-being, all in the pursuit of survival. Many of these individuals make decisions they later come to regret, participating in actions that they wish to avoid. It is crucial to recognize the complex interplay between socio-economic factors and individual choices in these contexts.

The case of the village known as HOKSE in Nepal exemplifies a troubling phenomenon regarding organ trafficking. Referred to as the “Kidney Village” or the “Kidney Valley,” nearly every resident of this village has reportedly sold their kidneys to alleviate their financial hardships.

Misinformation surrounding kidney regeneration has contributed to this crisis, making the village an attractive target for traffickers who exploit vulnerable individuals. Unscrupulous agents manipulate and persuade these individuals to part with their organs for as little as £1,300, exacerbating the humanitarian issues facing the community.

Many villagers were misled into believing that kidney regeneration would occur following their removal. A woman named Geeta, aged 37, disclosed that, upon the persuasion of her sister-in-law, she and her husband sold their kidneys for a sum of 200,000 Nepalese Rupees. Subsequently, she, along with several other individuals, was transported to India by certain criminal practitioners to undergo the illegal kidney extraction procedure. The harvested kidneys were then trafficked in black markets.

According to Geeta, she experienced a lack of emotional response following her surgical operation and received a payment of 200,000 Nepalese rupees.

She subsequently utilized these funds to acquire her “dream” home and additional properties. Unfortunately for Geeta, her aspirations were short-lived, as the region was struck by a devastating earthquake in 2015, resulting in the loss of over 8,800 lives and injuring at least 23,000 individuals. Many properties and homes sustained significant damage, leading to the destruction of the dream residences for Geeta and others. Consequently, the financial gains obtained from the sale of their kidneys were rendered insignificant, as their investments were ultimately lost.

A significant number of individuals in the Nepalese community of Hoske, commonly referred to as Kidney Village, have experienced depression and resorted to alcohol consumption, which has progressively impaired their health. Reports indicate that kidney traffickers frequently compensate these individuals as little as £160, specifically targeting children with disabilities from the Hoske Village. In return, these traffickers are able to sell the kidneys for approximately £6,500.

According to a 2014 survey conducted by the Asian Foundation, it was revealed that 42 percent of individuals residing in Hoske, Nepal, engaged in the sale of their kidneys as a means to finance the purchase of land or homes. In response to the identification of these unethical practices within the country, the Nepalese government enacted legislation prohibiting the sale of kidneys.