This GivingTuesday, December 2, we have the immense honor of giving thanks for 100,000 people intercepted from human trafficking since we began transit monitoring in 2006. Hitting this milestone amidst the holiday season means our hearts are especially full of gratitude as we meditate on the gift of Christ coming to earth as a baby—the ultimate gift of peace to a hurting world. It’s also a time of preparation for the year to come, casting vision and fundraising to ensure continued expansion and growth.
Before we gear up for another year, take a moment with us to celebrate this victory against the injustice of human trafficking. Here are five recent, real stories of freedom reported from our field staff around the globe.
Ethiopia: Two Teen Boys Intercepted After Realizing They’d Been Tricked by Recruiters
Monitors identified two teenage boys who had been separately lured to the city by different recruiters with promises of work. The boys, Kebede* and Abel*, had never met before but crossed paths near a known transit route.
Kebede had been in the city for about 15 days. The recruiter who brought him had promised a job, food, and shelter, then disappeared—taking his phone, money, and belongings. Abel arrived three days earlier under similar promises; his phone and personal items were also taken. While talking with each other, the boys realized their stories matched a pattern of deception.
Monitors observed from a distance as a third man—Tadesse*—attempted to move them toward Hargeisa across the border, a known hub for irregular migration. After confirming red flags (minors, no contacts, no clear destination, stolen belongings), the team approached. They separated the boys from the adult, verified the boys’ accounts, and identified themselves; the man fled before police arrived.
The team provided immediate counseling and safety planning. Kebede remembered a family phone number, and staff coordinated his safe transport home. Abel could not recall a number but knew his village location; monitors worked with local partners to arrange his safe return and conducted a follow-up to confirm reunification.
Fifteen-year-old Lina* sat alone on a bench at the bus station, scrolling anxiously through her phone. Our monitoring team grew suspicious and approached her to ask questions after watching her restless behavior for about ten minutes.
Lina had run away from home after meeting the man online. He had promised marriage and told her to come to Dhaka so their “new life” could begin, but once she arrived, his plans suddenly changed.
He wanted to redirect her to Narayanganj, and when she protested, he revealed he had no intention of marrying her.
Lina was safely intercepted before boarding the bus to Narayanganj. Her family chose not to pursue legal action, but she was able to return home before the deception became something far worse.
Liberia: Team Intercepts 27-Year-Old en Route to Monrovia for “Managing” Job
Our team engaged Musu, walked through the risks, and confirmed that she had no job details, no contract, and no relevant experience for the role. She provided Daniel’s phone number and address to the monitors and police. Working together, police located and arrested Daniel.
After counseling, Musu agreed not to continue the trip and returned home safely. The team will continue follow-up to ensure her ongoing safety and support.
The team met two anxious boys at a crowded bus depot: Kondwani* (13) and Madalitso* (14). They said a man from their village—Patrick*—had promised them jobs in Limbe at his “large shop,” paying K150,000 per month (about $86 USD). He’d even given them transport money and urged them to leave immediately.
Neither boy understood the work details, and both were at or below legal working age, putting them at high risk. The offer, urgency, and lack of specific details were classic trafficking red flags. Our monitors paused their travel, explained the dangers, shared the gospel briefly, and helped them contact family. After counseling, the boys agreed to return home rather than continue with Patrick’s plan.
India: Woman Traveling with Online Recruiter Intercepted Before Exploitation
Staff noticed a young woman, Neha* (21), waiting at the train station with a man later identified as Arjun* (25). When questioned, she revealed that she had met him five months earlier through Facebook and that this was their first time meeting in person.
Arjun had promised to take her to Mumbai for work, but Neha admitted she hadn’t known about the destination until that very day. Mumbai is a well-known trafficking hotspot, and the lack of clear information about where she was going was a major red flag.
As staff intervened, Arjun became defensive and even threatened legal action, raising further suspicion about his intentions. With support and encouragement from her parents, who had not been told of her travel plans, Neha agreed to return home.
Because of the team’s quick action, she was protected before being moved across the country under deceptive circumstances. This case shows how traffickers often use online relationships to groom and lure vulnerable young adults into exploitation.
Thank you!
These are just a handful of stories out of thousands that your giving made happen. Our hearts are full to think of the ripple effect of each person kept free from a life of slavery.
This month, we have generous partners willing to match up to $500,000 until the end of the year—meaning that for a limited time, your gift can go twice as far.
Celebrate GivingTuesday and join us in creating ripples of justice by giving at the link below.
*All data and statistics current at the date and time of publishing. Last names and some locations excluded for privacy and security purposes.