Our global teams are some of the most dedicated, passionate, and hardworking people, and we are so proud to have them carry this mission in their home countries. Still, they can’t do it alone! This work of intercepting people to protect them from human trafficking depends on a large support base of generous givers. If you are one of those supporters, thank you! You are creating a legacy of new life reaching far and wide. Here are a few recent stories of freedom from the field, made possible by your giving.
Uganda: 11-Year-Old Girl Intercepted Before Being Trafficked for Child Labor—Suspect Arrested
The team intercepted 11-year-old Amina* as she was being taken across the border into Kenya for a promised domestic job.
The man escorting her, Asuman*, had offered her the job with a promised monthly wage of just UGX 80,000 (approx. $21 USD), far below the typical rate of UGX 200,000 (approx. $54 USD). This significant pay gap, along with Amina’s age and lack of understanding of the job details, raised serious red flags of labor trafficking.
When questioned separately, Amina confirmed that she was going to Kenya to work as a domestic helper. Asuman, however, claimed she was traveling to attend her grandmother’s funeral. Later, Amina’s guardian offered yet another explanation, saying Amina was headed to Kenya for school.
Upon further investigation, authorities discovered that Asuman was already known for transporting minors for labor. He had arranged Amina’s travel and received permission from her mother to take her to Kenya. He was arrested and officially charged with child trafficking.
Amina was counseled on the dangers of trafficking by our staff and then safely returned to her guardian.
Ethiopia: Teen Intercepted Before Journey into Known Trafficking Route
The boy explained that he had left his village with a group of friends, searching for work. Their journey had already taken them through Kebri Dahar, where things fell apart, leaving him stranded in Jigjiga. He was now on his own, with no support and no clear options. That’s when he shared his next move: a plan to cross into Somaliland, one of the most well-known trafficking routes in the region.
He had no travel documents, no money, and no one waiting for him on the other side. His isolation and lack of resources made him extremely vulnerable to trafficking. At that critical moment, our monitor counseled him about human trafficking, warning him about false job promises, exploitation, and the dangerous networks operating along that route. Realizing the risk, the boy made the brave decision to abandon his plan. Instead of heading into danger, he accepted our help. Our team is now working with him to create a safe path forward.
India: 14-Year-Old Girl Intercepted After Being Lured from Home by Online Boyfriend
Initially hesitant to speak, Farah claimed she had run away from home due to abuse and was on her way to visit her aunt. She said her “brother” would be coming to pick her up. After gentle, trauma-informed counseling, she admitted she had lied at the urging of a boy she had met online.
Farah had been communicating with Ubaid* for about 10 months, though they had never met in person. He convinced her to run away from home, and he promised to marry her. To gain her trust, he even involved his mother in a phone call and sent her money to cover travel expenses. He instructed Farah to refer to him as her brother if anyone questioned them.
But when they finally met at the station, Farah learned that Ubaid was already married with a child. Shocked and betrayed, she refused to go with him—at which point he reportedly began pressuring her. That’s when our team stepped in.
Farah eventually shared her mother’s phone number. Her parents, unaware she had left home, were relieved to hear she was safe and asked our staff to keep her secure until they could arrive.
Monitors took Farah to the railway police, where she received a medical examination and filed a report. She was then placed at a trusted shelter home through the Child Welfare Committee (CWC). Later, the CWC confirmed she had been safely reunited with her family.
Sierra Leone: 14-Year-Old Girl Intercepted Before Potential Trafficking to Guinea for Domestic Work
When questioned, Mariam revealed that she had just met a woman at the market who promised her a cleaning job in Guinea. The woman offered to pay all her travel expenses and told Mariam not to tell anyone, especially her mother, about the trip. In fact, her family had no idea she had left.
Recognizing the red flags—her young age, lack of consent, unfamiliar recruiter, and secrecy—our monitors counseled Mariam on the dangers of trafficking and the risks of being exploited for labor in another country. She was then referred to the Ministry of Social Welfare for protection, counseling, and reintegration support.
Zambia: Team Intercepts At-Risk Minors Found in Area Known for Trafficking and Exploitation
The team in Zambia recently expanded their monitoring, now reaching two new communities notorious for human trafficking, child exploitation, and drug trafficking. While working, our monitors encountered a group of unaccompanied minors who were heading out to clean houses. Their young age and presence in these areas immediately raised concern.
The children had dropped out of school and spent their days on the streets while their mother, who is the sole breadwinner, assumed they were simply playing with friends. Their father was absent, and although an aunt occasionally provided support, the family struggled to meet basic needs. This combination of poverty, lack of supervision, and peer pressure had pushed the children toward dangerous environments and left them extremely vulnerable to exploitation and trafficking.
Young minors are frequently targeted by traffickers and drug dealers because of their perceived innocence and reduced likelihood of being stopped or searched by authorities. The children’s exposure to these environments, their unawareness of child labor laws, and their disconnection from education only increased their risk.
Our team intervened immediately, engaging both the children and their mother. She was shocked to learn about their involvement in these risky activities and committed to monitoring them more closely and keeping them off the streets. Our team counseled the family on the dangers of human trafficking and helped them explore safer, more sustainable paths forward.
So close!
Since inception in 2005, Love Justice has intercepted over 92,000 individuals to stop them from being trafficked. The 100k milestone is within reach! Will you help us get there? It costs $132 to stop one person from being trafficked. Give today at the button below.
*All data and statistics current at the date and time of publishing. Names changed and specific locations excluded for privacy and security purposes.