Shelby Sherritt joined 30 other volunteers in Nepal, where she helped fight the scourge of human trafficking, while rebuilding communities.

The 21-year-old made the trip after she won a scholarship through Aussie Action Abroad, a charity that aims to help communities achieve sustainable outcomes.

Miss Sherritt met with Nepali women during the visit to discuss issues impacting them, including the violence they face, the lack of medical assistance and the limited education they receive.

The Bachelor of Social Work student said it was a culture shock to see the conditions many women faced.

“Despite travelling before its always a new shock to the system, but seeing that Nepal was still in recovery mode from an earthquake two years ago was quiet devastating,” she said.

The Aussie Action Abroad team met with a mother’s group to hear first hand what donations were needed most.

They discussed funding for female training halls for health and economics, and hygiene packs for girls, particularly the dangers caused by a taboo around menstruation.

However Miss Sherritt said one conversation stood out more than any other.

“A particular story that stood out was a conversation I had with a lady named Sigal, after wanting to find out more about the concerns of being a woman in Nepal, she advised that it was a lot harder for women in Nepal due to the risk to safety,” she said.

“She advised me of the massive risk for human trafficking and rape to Nepali girls and it was some what normalised in some areas of the country.

“She told me about how grateful she was for her parents teaching her about the risks and safety techniques but she was a rarity – many women in Nepal have no idea about the dangers.”

The conversations with women were then followed by a partnership with Maiti Nepal, an organisation dedicated to stopping human trafficking.

The charity builds homes on the Nepali and Indian border to provide a safe house for girls, women and boys who have been rescued from traffickers.

Miss Sherritt said search teams are put together to find traffickers.

“Their work is the best of its kind in Nepal and is recognised worldwide for its work against human trafficking,” she said.

To take part in the trip, she also had to raise $500 to contribute to the Nepali community and fund future rescues and to help sustain the resources run by Maiti Nepal.

Miss Sherrit said the work created a brighter future for those at a greater disadvantage.

“By working with Aussie Action Abroad I have been able to help provide support, funding and resources to communities that really need an extra hand,” she said.

“Whether that be through Maiti Nepal in working towards the stop of human trafficking, or working with smaller mothers groups who are providing health and economic training to other local women.”