-1.png?width=500&height=500&name=LJI_MAINLOGO_WhiteBackground%20(1)-1.png "love-justice.png")
There are plenty of impact moments we won’t get to see in this life—what your words meant to someone, prayers answered for someone you lost contact with, perhaps a legacy you’ll leave behind for future generations. Today, we’re happy to offer a few tangible moments of impact that you CAN see right now.
Each of the following stories features real people our teams stopped from entering a potential lifetime of slavery, all because people like you gave generously to make it happen! May these stories of freedom encourage you today.
South Asia: Team Stops 14-Year-Old Girl Unknowingly Bound for Another Country
Fourteen-year-old Ritika*, a seventh-grade student, met Sunita*, 35, in her village. Sunita claimed to own a hotel in the city and said she was hiring, promising Ritika a good salary and benefits. She told Ritika not to tell anyone about the trip and covered all travel costs.
When they reached the city, Sunita directed Ritika to ride in an autorickshaw while she followed in a separate one. Ritika didn’t know that the rickshaws were heading away from the city toward the border, but our monitors noticed the young girl traveling alone and stopped her for questioning. Ritika said she was traveling for a job and was unaware that she was about to cross the border. Her family also had no idea she was traveling.
When the monitors contacted Ritika’s mother, she asked them to stop her daughter’s travel immediately. Our team intercepted Ritika, counseled her on human trafficking risks, and safely returned her to her family.
Sierra Leone: 15-Year-Old Boy Intercepted from Religious Teaching Scam
At a roadside checkpoint, military officers stopped a 27-year-old man traveling with a 15-year-old boy from Liberia. When questioned, the man claimed the boy was his biological son—but given his age, the officers doubted the truth of that claim. The officers detained them and contacted a monitor for assessment.
Once separated from the man, the boy shared the truth: he had been handed over against his will to a stranger who planned to take him to Gambia for Qur’anic memorization. While Qur’anic education is a respected religious tradition in West Africa, traffickers sometimes exploit it as a cover to move or control children, promising spiritual training but forcing them into labor or begging instead.
The boy recounted being threatened and physically beaten during the journey and not being allowed to speak for himself. He had no prior knowledge of Qur’anic memorization and had met the man for the first time on this trip.
Monitors attempted to reach the boy’s parents, but the phone number was not working.
Given the serious allegations and the boy’s distressing account, monitors advised the military officers to refer the case to the police for further investigation. Meanwhile, the boy was handed over to social welfare services to ensure his safety and well-being.
“This story touched me when I saw the incredible courage shown by the 15-year-old minor in speaking out despite the fear and abuse he endured,” said the project manager.
Burkina Faso: Team Intercepts Minors Lured with False Jobs and Abandoned at Station
The team intercepted a group of boys, ages 12 to 15, at a railway station in a known trafficking hotspot. Sitting off to the side of the main waiting area without adult supervision, they looked lost and out of place—raising immediate concern.
When the monitors approached and questioned them, their responses revealed several troubling signs. They had been lured away from home by a man who promised them jobs, only to abandon them at the station without money, identification, or instructions.
None of the boys had informed their families about their travel plans, and they were clearly unaware of the dangers they faced. Their willingness to trust a stranger offering employment, combined with their young age and location in a city known for trafficking, placed them at high risk of exploitation.
The monitors counseled the boys about the reality of human trafficking and their current situation. After realizing the potential danger, the boys thanked our team for their help. They agreed to return home, so our staff worked with the station master to ensure their safety. The station master appointed a trusted guard to accompany them on their journey home.
South Africa: Monitors Protect Young Woman from Facebook Job Scam
Naledi*, a 23-year-old woman from Soweto, came across a Facebook post advertising immediate job openings at South African Breweries (SAB). The post listed positions such as cashiers, drivers, and security personnel, with no resume required. Excited by the opportunity, Naledi expressed interest in working as a cleaner.
When our monitor contacted the supposed recruiter, Naledi was promised a job starting the very next day in Pretoria. No resume was requested, and the recruiter vaguely said transportation would be provided to collect recruits. Sensing red flags, the monitor contacted SAB directly. The company confirmed they do not post jobs on social media and were unaware of the advertisement.
The deception was clear: the trafficker was exploiting the company’s trusted name to lure job seekers. Naledi, unemployed and eager for work, could have easily fallen victim. Thanks to staff intervention, she avoided what may have been a trafficking scheme disguised as legitimate employment.
Kenya: Teen Domestic Worker, Intercepted to Prevent Further Exploitation
At a bus station in Nairobi, staff noticed Ruth*, 16, crying and visibly distressed. She explained that she had been working as a domestic worker for a woman named Angela* for just over a month. During that time, she endured long hours, verbal abuse, and no pay.
When the two argued, Angela kicked Ruth out of the house, leaving her stranded with no money, contacts, or a way to reach family. Alone in the city, she was extremely vulnerable to traffickers, especially in an area known for high trafficking activity.
Staff intervened immediately, providing counseling on trafficking risks and child labor laws, and helped Ruth safely return home.
Ripples of love and justice
Let these impact moments encourage you to keep making ripples of love and justice in this world. Your generosity has a long-reaching effect for good—today and for the future! Thank you for making a difference with us.
Give today at the button below to help protect freedom for more people.
*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.
/bimala_feature_blog.webp)
/boy_girl_asia_streets.webp)
/woman_africa_beige_sweater.webp)
-1.jpg)
/africa_benin_truck.webp)
Post a comment