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 of Benin 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.

EMPOWERMENT

Our 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 our Microfinance Savings and Loan program to receive a micro-loan and business development training 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!

Our strategic approach has resulted in the following this year:

    • 1,024 parents on our Microfinance program are now able to provide food for their families
    • 83 parents on this program are training 326 apprentices in a trade (apprentices whoa re older children at the highest risk to be trafficked).
    • 406 kids who were at the highest risk of being trafficked, were intercepted and put on our feeding and school program.
    • Hundreds of children were brought back from slavery.*
    • 38 young adults have are being provided higher education for university or trade schools.

    *This provisional data is rapidly increasing because community leadesr are rising up to bring back as many children as possible.

      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


      Help us bring justice and value by protecting the lives of children in West Africa.

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