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Every month, our teams share real stories of people who were stopped just in time, before they could be trafficked into a life of slavery. The stories below are just a few among hundreds. Let them remind us of the impact we can have and inspire us to keep pressing forward in this fight for freedom.
Zambia: 26 People Rescued from Trafficking Ring; Three Suspects Arrested!
Twenty-six young people from Ethiopia were rescued near the Zambia–Tanzania border after being trafficked with false promises of jobs in South Africa. The victims, all in their early 20s, had been recruited from different towns across Ethiopia by three suspects—also Ethiopian nationals—who promised them high-paying mining jobs. The traffickers told them that their first year of work would be used to “repay” the cost of transporting them to South Africa, with 50% interest added to the supposed debt.
The operation came to light after Zambian police received a tip about a suspicious truck abandoned in a bush area near the border checkpoint. A disturbing noise was reported coming from inside the truck. The police contacted our team and asked us to assist with the investigation.
When authorities arrived on the scene, they discovered that the truck had been sitting there for about three days. Shortly afterward, a man named Samuel* arrived on a motorbike. Although he initially denied any involvement, one of the victims pointed him out as the transporter. He was arrested on the spot.
When police forced open the truck, they found the 26 victims inside—exhausted, struggling to breathe, and severely dehydrated. Tragically, some had already died from suffocation. Samuel later confessed and revealed the location of a safe house where the victims had been held before transport. Two more suspects, Yonas* and Bekele*, were arrested at that location.
Further investigations revealed the traffickers used brutal tactics. Victims who resisted or caused concern were allegedly suffocated and disposed of to avoid risk to the operation. Many of the victims only realized they had been deceived once they were brought to the border town and held in unsafe, overcrowded conditions without access to food, water, or basic hygiene.
All three suspects remain in custody and are awaiting court proceedings. We're grateful to be a part of fighting for justice on behalf of the 26 rescued, as well as those who tragically lost their lives in transit.
Indonesia: Siblings Intercepted Before Risky Journey to Thailand
An attempted trafficking situation was averted in Indonesia after authorities intercepted a young man at the airport just hours before he was scheduled to fly to Thailand for a suspicious job opportunity.
A monitor received a tip about the young man and quickly contacted the airport authority police to coordinate an interception. By the following day, the team was on-site at the airport and working in tandem with police and airline staff. Their investigation confirmed that the young man, Ardi*, and his younger sister, Lina*, were listed on the passenger list.
Ardi was successfully intercepted at the airport. Lina, who had also planned to travel, canceled her departure at the last minute after deciding she could not leave her 3-week-old baby behind. She also had not received permission from her biological mother.
At first, Ardi claimed he was simply visiting relatives in Jakarta. However, further questioning revealed that he and his sister were traveling to Thailand at the invitation of their older sister, Maya*. Maya had not clearly communicated what kind of work awaited them there, though Ardi believed it might involve online administrative tasks—possibly tied to a scam operation. He had been promised a monthly salary of 8–12 million rupiah.
Despite concerns raised by his family about trafficking risks in Cambodia and neighboring regions, Ardi insisted on going. He later admitted he felt pressured to leave after Maya repeatedly persuaded him and even threatened to take her own life if they didn’t go. She also claimed she would be fined 150 million rupiah if the two did not show up.
Travel costs—including taxi rides, hotel stays, and airfare—had all been arranged and paid for by Maya. Ardi had never traveled outside the country before, and his documents were to be finalized in Jakarta.
Thanks to the quick response of the monitoring team and local airport police, Ardi was safely intercepted and provided with care and education about human trafficking risks. Authorities will continue to investigate Maya’s involvement and possible connections to trafficking networks.
India: Man Arrested After Attempting to Flee with Minor from Train Station
Fifteen-year-old Anika* was found sitting beside a man named Rohit* (29) on a platform at the train station. Anika appeared drowsy and withdrawn, while Rohit looked tense. Neither had any luggage or identification, and Rohit was carrying only a basic cell phone. Their behavior raised red flags for our team.
When approached for questioning, Rohit claimed Anika was his niece and that they were returning home after visiting relatives. But his story didn’t add up—traveling to and from the cities mentioned via that specific train station wasn’t a logical route. When asked how they arrived by bus with no money, Rohit became evasive and tried to leave.
The monitors separated the two and cross-checked their accounts. Their stories didn’t match, and Anika remained silent at first. After further counseling, she finally opened up and shared the truth.
The night before, Rohit had taken Anika to help search for a missing cow in a nearby field. He led her into an abandoned hut, unaware that her mother had secretly followed them. When her mother saw Rohit take Anika into the hut, she shouted, alerting nearby villagers. The crowd confronted Rohit and began to beat him. In the chaos, Anika fled.
Later, Rohit caught up to her and urged her to run away with him, saying the villagers would misinterpret the situation and that it was safer for them to leave. Out of fear and confusion, Anika agreed.
Eventually, Rohit admitted that he planned to take her to a different city so they could live and work there together. He said that since people were already accusing them of being in a relationship, he was willing to marry her—even though she was just 15. They boarded a passenger train that night, mistakenly ended up there at the train station, and waited there without a clear plan.
Our team took both individuals to the Government Railway Police, who confirmed that Anika’s family had already filed a missing person report. Rohit was taken into custody, and legal proceedings are underway. Anika was placed in protective care.
Burkina Faso: Five Minor Boys Intercepted Before Being Trafficked to Gold Mines
Five boys between the ages of 12 and 16 were intercepted by our team at a transit station before they could be trafficked into forced labor at a gold mine in a region known for dangerous and exploitative mining practices.
The boys were spotted sitting alone in a quiet corner of one of the station’s more isolated waiting rooms. Their disoriented appearance and young age immediately raised concern. Our monitors approached and gently began a conversation to understand their situation.
Over the course of the discussion, several red flags emerged. The boys revealed they had been recruited by a man named Salif*, who had brought them to the station. They were waiting for one of Salif’s associates to pick them up and transport them to the mine, where they were told they would work in gold panning.
None of the boys had identification documents or any clear understanding of where they were going or what kind of work they would be doing. Their responses showed that they had been misled, likely unaware of the risks they faced in one of the country’s most dangerous trafficking zones.
Because all of them were minors and in an extremely vulnerable state, our team immediately contacted the local branch of the police responsible for child protection. The officers took custody of the boys and began the process of reuniting them safely with their families.
Thanks to careful observation and timely intervention, these children were spared from exploitation in hazardous labor conditions. We are grateful they are now safe and back with their loved ones.
Malawi: Boy Intercepted After Leaving Home for False Job Opportunity
Isaac*, 15, was selling potatoes at a local market when a man named Maliko* approached him with a tempting offer. Maliko claimed to own a shop in town and said many business owners there were looking to hire boys like Isaac, promising better pay than what he could earn in the village.
Living in poverty and trying to support his elderly grandmother, Isaac was drawn in by the opportunity. Without informing his guardian, he accepted Maliko’s offer. Maliko even helped pay for his transportation and told him to find his shop upon arrival in town.
But as Isaac made his way to the city, he was intercepted by our team. They asked questions and quickly realized how vulnerable he was. Isaac had no understanding of the risks of trafficking and believed he was on his way to a better future.
Our monitors shared the dangers of exploitation and helped him understand how traffickers often prey on hope. They also shared the message of the gospel and encouraged him to consider the risks of traveling alone. Grateful for the intervention, Isaac agreed to return home safely.
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*All data and statistics current at the date and time of publishing. Names and specific locations excluded for privacy and security purposes. Images are representative. AI used for some images.
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