ANTI-TRAFFICKING INITIATIVE
According to UNICEF, there are over 200,000 children trafficked annually in West Africa. Orphan Relief and Rescue operates the Anti-Trafficking Initiative in a province that is one of the primary hubs for the trafficking of children in all of Africa.
Strategy
Our strategic approach is both practical and spiritual. It comprehensively addresses the many aspects driving child exploitation and trafficking.
RESCUE
Orphan Relief and Rescue's staff works diligently with community leaders, parents, and former traffickers to identify and bring back children who have been sold into a life of domestic and sexual slavery.
RESTORATION
We create safe environments and work diligently to ensure the children in our care receive mental, emotional, and spiritual support to begin the healing process, necessary medical attention, education or vocational training, and the opportunity to live with hopes and dreams again. In culturally sensitive ways, we share about a God who created them, loves them, and values their life.
INTERVENTION
In collaboration with local leaders, we identify children at a high risk of being trafficked and engage intentionally to prevent those children from being sold. Our Intervention project includes nutrition assistance, schooling, mentoring, and monitoring that ensures a child’s safety.
Equipping
Community development programs seek to address the driving factors of child trafficking, including reducing poverty. Regardless of ethnicity, gender or religion, parents can participate in a Savings and Loan program run by the community and Social Welfare Department that enables them to create a future for their families. Parents have the option to stay after training to learn about a God who loves them.
Our goal is to end child trafficking in West Africa. We have seen first hand how this strategy is changing the cycle of trafficking by creating dynamic communities that protects children and trains the next generation to provide for their families!
The Challenge: Local Trafficking Stats
Approximately 20% of children are trafficked.
Most children are trafficked between the ages of 7 and 12 years old, but we have seen as young as 5 years old.
Woman, on average, have over 5 children.
53% of women have at least one child trafficked.
There is a definite correlation with the number of children a woman has and the likelihood of trafficking at least one child.
The rate of trafficking a child is increased by the number of children in the household
child = 0% trafficked
children = 20% trafficked
children = 29.20% trafficked
children = 44.40% trafficked
children = 55.60% trafficked
children = 72% trafficked
children = 84.70% trafficked
children = 100% trafficked
