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Thank you for your continued dedication and passion to change the story for those most vulnerable to human trafficking! 

 

A 5-year-old boy was abducted while playing with friends near his home in Isoka, Zambia. Unbeknownst to his family, two men had taken him and hidden him in a rented house in the same town, preparing to transport him across the border into Tanzania.

Several days later, a vigilant bus driver noticed two men traveling with a young child who appeared confused and out of place. The driver, suspicious of the situation, alerted police and the monitors stationed at the Nakonde checkpoint. When the bus arrived, the team intercepted the suspects and the child. One of the men attempted to flee but was quickly apprehended.

During questioning, the only thing the child could say was, “Kulonda imbuya,” meaning “I want my grandmother.” This response raised immediate red flags. The suspects eventually confessed to abducting the boy and holding him at their rented house in Isoka. One of the men admitted he was working under instructions from a “boss” who coordinated further movements once a victim was secured.

The Nakonde police quickly contacted officers in Isoka, who confirmed they had received a missing child report matching the boy’s description. That same afternoon, the police transferred the boy and both suspects back to Isoka. The suspects were detained and now await court proceedings for human trafficking charges.

Thanks to the coordinated efforts of the bus driver, monitors, and police, the young boy was safely reunited with his grandparents—who were overjoyed to see him again after several days of fear and uncertainty.

During a routine monitoring route near the Sierra Leone–Guinea border, monitors encountered a 15-year-old girl named Kadie*. She was waiting alone for a motorcycle rider who was meant to take her across the border using an unofficial route—without any travel documents.

Her nervous demeanor and signs of hesitation prompted the monitor to approach her gently and ask if they could speak. Kadie explained that she had recently met a woman on her way to the market in her village. The woman had shown kindness and promised her a high-paying job in Qatar. According to Kadie, the woman assured her that all travel expenses—including a passport—would be covered, and she could repay the costs once she started working.

Kadie had shared the opportunity with her parents, who, unaware of the risks, agreed to the arrangement. Following the woman’s instructions, Kadie traveled to Farmoriya Luma, a border town, where she was told to wait for a motorcycle rider who would take her into Guinea through an unofficial route. The woman claimed that Kadie’s travel documents were being arranged on the other side of the border.

As they continued the conversation, Kadie admitted that she didn’t speak the language of her intended destination and had never traveled outside Sierra Leone before. She had no documents, no financial resources, and no real understanding of the job being promised to her. These were all strong indicators of a potential trafficking case.

The monitor counseled Kadie on the dangers of such promises, especially when they involve travel with strangers and vague arrangements. After understanding the risks, Kadie agreed not to continue the journey and return home instead.

To ensure her safety, the monitor coordinated with the drivers’ union and local stakeholders, who agreed to help transport her back to her village. Thanks to this timely intervention, Kadie was reunited with her family—safely and with new awareness about the tactics traffickers often use to exploit vulnerable people.

*Pseudonym

On March 19, monitors at the Mchinji station intercepted 16-year-old Thoko* from a village in Dowa District. Thoko was caught attempting to cross into Zambia using an unofficial route when she was stopped by one of the monitors for questioning.

She explained that she was traveling to meet a 42-year-old woman named Esnart*, who had already crossed through the official border. Esnart had promised Thoko a job as a housemaid in Chipata with a monthly salary of K100,000 ($58 USD)—an unusually high amount for someone with no experience in domestic work. The plan was for Thoko to join her on the Zambian side using a back route.

Recognizing several red flags—including her young age, the secretive travel plan, and the unrealistic salary promise—the monitors immediately contacted the police. Authorities attempted to track down Esnart, but she had already disappeared, making it difficult to locate her or confirm her intentions.

Thoko did not have a phone or contact information for her parents, making it unclear whether her family was aware of her plans. Given her vulnerability and the circumstances of the journey, monitors determined that she was at serious risk of being trafficked or exploited.

The team educated her on the dangers of human trafficking and shared the gospel with her. After receiving counseling, Thoko agreed to return home. The team made arrangements to ensure her safe transport and reunification with her family.

*Pseudonym

On a late evening, a police officer stationed at the Gbalamuya Customs Border noticed a private vehicle behaving suspiciously. The car was driving erratically and appeared to be avoiding the checkpoint, which raised immediate concerns. The policeman alerted the commanding officer, and the vehicle was promptly stopped for inspection.

The police contacted our team for assistance. Upon questioning, the vehicle’s occupants—a 16-year-old girl named Mariama* and a 28-year-old male—claimed to be husband and wife. However, their inconsistent statements and nervous demeanor raised further suspicion. Concerned for the girl's safety, our team separated them for individual questioning and uncovered a troubling narrative.

Mariama disclosed that she had met the suspect only a few days earlier at a nightclub. The man, who presented himself as charming and caring, promised her love, marriage, and a bright future. Exploiting her vulnerability, he convinced her to leave with him that night, claiming they would travel to Guinea to meet his family. Mariama had no idea of the risks involved, and her parents were unaware of her sudden departure.

Further investigation into the suspect revealed a pattern of manipulative behavior. Authorities discovered he had a history of luring young women, particularly minors, by offering false promises and exploiting their emotional and financial vulnerabilities. Mariama’s responses and visible fear suggested she had been psychologically manipulated, a common tactic in trafficking cases. She seemed unsure of where she was going and displayed misplaced loyalty to the suspect—clear indicators of grooming.

Recognizing the severity of the situation, law enforcement swiftly placed Mariama under protective custody. Social services and child welfare agencies were brought in to ensure her safety and recovery. The suspect was arrested and charged with human trafficking, child endangerment, and conspiracy.

Authorities contacted Mariama’s family to inform them of her safety and initiated the process of reuniting her with her loved ones. Investigations are ongoing to determine the full extent of the suspected trafficking network. 

*Pseudonym

The team intercepted Grace*, a 17-year-old girl, who was traveling with a recruiter to a host’s home. The recruiter had convinced her to accept a job as a domestic worker in Nairobi, Kenya—a known hub for human trafficking. Many individuals recruited for similar opportunities in Nairobi end up being exploited, including being forced to beg on the streets.

During questioning, Grace revealed that she was unaware of her final destination and had not been given any specific details about the host or the promised job. This lack of information placed her at high risk of trafficking, as it left her vulnerable to further exploitation.

She also mentioned that a salary of UGX 250,000 ($68 USD) had been promised—an amount slightly higher than the average pay of UGX 200,000 ($54 USD). This discrepancy raised further red flags, indicating a strong possibility of labor exploitation. Additionally, Grace had been recruited without her parents’ knowledge or consent, another clear sign of trafficking for exploitative labor.

Recognizing these risks, the monitors educated Grace about the dangers of human trafficking and encouraged her to stop the journey and return home. They also shared the gospel with her, and she accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. 

The suspected trafficker was arrested and charged with human trafficking. 

*Pseudonym

Monitors working at a busy transit station in Liberia responded to an urgent tip-off from a high-value contact (HVC). They were alerted to a potential trafficking situation involving a 23-year-old man, Emmanuel*, who was preparing to travel to Monrovia. Emmanuel, a young-looking migrant from a rural area, had been promised a lucrative maintenance job in the capital city—one that would pay $250 USD per month, far above the typical salary of $150 USD for similar work.

Traveling without his family’s knowledge, Emmanuel carried all his belongings in a single bag. He had no phone, insufficient money to keep himself safe, and no resources to return home. His trip was financed by someone he had met only a few weeks prior, a man who was no longer traveling with him but had made arrangements for his journey. This stranger had promised Emmanuel a job and had covered his travel expenses, raising red flags for the transit monitors.

Upon reaching the station, monitors approached Emmanuel, who shared more details about his situation. He explained that his family was unaware of his travel plans and that he felt he had no choice but to accept the offer due to his financial struggles. Concerned for his safety, the monitors informed local authorities and worked with Emmanuel to identify and locate the suspected trafficker (ST). Using the phone number and home address Emmanuel provided, the monitors and police were able to arrest the suspect.

As they concluded the interception, the monitors provided Emmanuel with education about human trafficking, explaining the dangers he could have faced if he continued on his journey. Later that day, they arranged for him to return safely to his rural home.

*Pseudonym

On October 9, 2024, our team intercepted a 15-year-old girl at a busy train station in Dhaka. During questioning, she revealed that she had met her boyfriend through a misdialed phone call three months earlier. Over time, they grew close, fell in love, and he eventually convinced her to come to Dhaka, promising marriage and a life where she would "live like a queen."

However, upon her arrival, the boyfriend admitted he had no money for a wedding. He suggested they stay at his friend’s house until he could save enough. He assured her that his friend lived alone, and they could stay without issue, even enticing her with promises of exploring the city together. The girl insisted they marry first before anything else. Angered by her refusal, the man tried to pressure her to leave with him. When she refused, he grew nervous and fled the station, fearing public attention.

Our team noticed the girl crying and approached her. Alone and vulnerable in Dhaka, she was at high risk of exploitation. Recognizing the danger, the monitors immediately intervened, contacted her parents, and arranged her safe transportation home. Although the family expressed gratitude for the team’s support, they chose not to pursue legal action, fearing potential harm to their reputation.

Sixteen-year-old Amina*, a village girl from rural Kenya, accepted a job as a housekeeper and cook in Nairobi after being recruited by a woman named Wanjiku*. Amina was promised a monthly salary of 15,000 Ksh (approximately $115 USD)—a life-changing amount compared to what she could earn at home. Meanwhile, 17-year-old Njeri*, from another village, was offered a babysitting position by a man named Kamau*, who placed her in the same household in Nairobi and promised her 18,000 Ksh (approximately $140 USD) per month.

Both girls eagerly accepted these promising opportunities and traveled to Nairobi with high hopes. Upon arriving at their employer's home, Amina and Njeri met for the first time and quickly bonded over their shared circumstances. However, their excitement soon turned to dismay.

Amina and Njeri worked for two months, but neither received the payment they had been promised. When they asked their employer about their salaries, they were met with excuses and false reassurances. The work was grueling, and the conditions were harsh, leaving both girls feeling hopeless and unsure about their futures.

Desperate for a way out, Amina and Njeri decided to leave their jobs and search for better opportunities. They made their way to a busy bus station in Nairobi, hoping someone there could help them. Their worried expressions and hesitant behavior caught the attention of our transit monitors.

They approached the girls, listened to their stories, and quickly realized the severity of their situation. Recognizing that Amina and Njeri were at high risk of further exploitation, the team intercepted them, educated them about human trafficking, and arranged their safe transportation home.

*Pseudonym

Our team at New Delhi Railway Station was alerted by a ticket examiner about four unaccompanied minor brothers—Gopal* (12), Sourav* (10), Nayum* (7), and Naveen* (4). Upon finding the boys, our monitors asked about their parents' whereabouts. The boys claimed their parents were nearby and offered to lead the monitors to them. However, after searching the lounge and waiting areas, the brothers were unable to locate their parents and began to cry.

Our staff quickly stepped in, offering comfort and assuring the boys that they would help. After a brief wait, they escorted the brothers to the counter to issue a missing person announcement. There, they encountered the boys' father, who explained that the children had wandered off while he was asleep. Worried after searching for them unsuccessfully, he was preparing to make an announcement himself.

The father shared that they were in New Delhi for his wife's medical treatment and, due to his own mobility challenges, he had been unable to search for the boys effectively. The team explained the dangers of human trafficking and advised him to be especially vigilant when traveling with young children. After completing the necessary documentation, Gopal, Sourav, Nayum, and Naveen were safely reunited with their grateful father.

*Pseudonym

The team in Ethiopia recently reached a major milestone with the regional steward’s visit to establish and train staff at two new border monitoring stations in Semera and Jigjiga, located in eastern Ethiopia. This expansion strengthens the fight against human trafficking by providing crucial support at key border areas.

The newly hired monitors have completed their training and are eager to begin this important work. As Ethiopia’s first border monitoring stations, Semera and Jigjiga will play a vital role in intercepting and protecting potential trafficking victims. We are grateful for this opportunity and excited about the positive impact these stations will bring.

Monitors in Mchinji intercepted two young men, Ishmael* (22) and Harji* (23), from a village in Machinga District. The team encountered them at a transit location shortly after the men arrived on a bus from Lilongwe.

During questioning, Ishmael and Harji explained that they had been approached in their village by a man named Samuel*, who claimed to own farms in Zambia. He offered them jobs with an annual wage far below the legal minimum.

Desperate to improve their lives, Ishmael and Harji accepted the job and prepared for their trip. Samuel had traveled with them to Mchinji but, upon arrival, instructed them to take different routes to the Zambia border. When the monitors intercepted Ishmael and Harji, Samuel was not with them. However, during their conversation, the young men spotted Samuel in the distance.

As soon as Samuel realized they were being interviewed, he fled the scene. Recognizing the red flags—especially the low wages and Samuel's behavior—the monitors believed the young men were at high risk of exploitation. They educated Ishmael and Harji about the dangers of human trafficking and successfully convinced them to return home.

*Pseudonym

A woman was intercepted online after expressing interest in a suspicious job advertisement posted in a local group chat. Our monitors contacted her, introduced themselves, and explained their concerns about the job offer and the individual who posted it, suspecting it might be a scheme to lure people into human trafficking.

The woman was open to their help and shared that she had recently lost her job at the Maputsoe factories, making it hard to make ends meet. This is why she was drawn to the ad, which promised a high salary and seemed like a good opportunity to improve her family’s situation.

However, the post raised several red flags. It provided no details about the type of job, location, or hiring company. The language was unprofessional, as if hastily written, and the salary was suspiciously high for an unspecified position. The poster's Facebook profile was locked, preventing monitors from reaching them directly.

Further investigation revealed that this person had been posting similar ads weekly, offering large sums of money with vague job descriptions—another significant red flag indicating possible exploitation. Fortunately, one post included a contact number. The monitors tried calling, but the phone went unanswered. Even after sending texts while posing as job seekers, there was no response, deepening their concerns that this was a deliberate trap.

With this information, the monitors returned to the woman and shared their findings. They advised her not to travel for any job without verifying its legitimacy and cautioned her to be more vigilant online, as her engagement with such ads could attract exploiters. Grateful for the conversation, the woman thanked the monitors for their assistance and expressed appreciation for their work in preventing human trafficking.

On the morning of August 22, 2024, our monitoring team at Gabtoli Bus Station in Dhaka noticed a man and a young girl arguing. The girl, who appeared frightened and from a rural area, kept telling the man she wouldn’t go with him. Sensing something was wrong, our team observed them for a few minutes before stepping in to question them. They separated the two for individual interviews.

The man claimed to work as a hospital cleaner and said they were husband and wife visiting Dhaka. However, when the team spoke to the girl, she identified herself as Shabrina*, a 14-year-old. She explained that the man was her cousin, and they were traveling together to visit their sick uncle. Our team mentioned that the man had said they were married, and then they encouraged Shabrina to share the truth.

Eventually, Shabrina revealed that she had met Rafi* at a marriage celebration in their village. After exchanging phone numbers, they stayed in touch regularly, and their friendship developed into a romantic relationship. Rafi proposed marriage, and Shabrina agreed. When Rafi suggested they marry in Dhaka, she expressed concern about the cost, but Rafi promised to cover the expenses.

They traveled to Dhaka early on August 22, but when they arrived at Gabtoli Bus Station, Rafi told Shabrina he couldn’t marry her immediately because he didn’t have enough money. He suggested staying at a hotel for a few days, which made Shabrina angry. She refused to go with him, and that’s when their argument caught our team’s attention.

The monitors contacted Shabrina’s father, who confirmed that she was indeed 14 and still a student. He worked in Dhaka and was shocked to hear where his daughter was. He asked our team to keep her safe until he could pick her up.

Our team took both Rafi and Shabrina to the local police station. After questioning, the police detained Rafi and asked our team to assist in returning Shabrina to her family. Our staff shared the gospel with Shabrina, provided her with lunch, and later reunited her with her father, who thanked our team for ensuring her safety.

*Pseudonym

While monitoring the Misisi Compound, our team encountered four minor siblings in an area notorious for human trafficking. The children, who spoke very little of the local language, were hesitant, but the monitors were able to convince them to stop and talk. After a few minutes of conversation, the siblings agreed to take the team to their home to visit their parents.

Upon arrival, the team discovered that the family was living in makeshift housing, held together by four wooden poles and covered with plastic sheeting. With food being scarce and the family sometimes going days without eating, the siblings had been encouraged by friends to collect charcoal scraps for resale.

As the team interviewed the family, they learned that they had been stranded in Lusaka for two years. They had originally moved from Kaoma to Ndola to work on a farm. However, things took a tragic turn when the father lost his job after asking for months of unpaid wages.

The father’s relatives managed to raise enough money to help the family relocate back to Kaoma. Unfortunately, the funds only got them as far as Lusaka, where they were robbed of their remaining possessions upon arrival. To make matters worse, just a few days before meeting our team, the oldest boy lost all of his clothing when a fire in a neighboring makeshift home spread to where he was sleeping.

During the interview, the team also discovered that the youngest child had tuberculosis and was on medication. The parents expressed deep regret and frustration at their inability to provide for or protect their children. They were desperate to return to Kaoma, where they could stay with an uncle while working on renovating their home.

When asked if they had a stable future back in Kaoma, the parents responded with a resounding "yes." In addition to having a place to stay, they owned a small piece of land they could farm. Given the high risks the children faced in Misisi, it was decided that relocating the family to Kaoma would provide them with a much safer environment and the opportunity for a fresh start.

With support from LJI, the family received the resources to return home. Our team accompanied them to the bus station, providing food and clothing for the journey. Before they left, the staff also took time to educate them about the dangers of human trafficking, and they shared the gospel with them. A few weeks later, a follow-up call confirmed that the family had arrived safely and was settling in well.

Three Congolese teenagers were intercepted by our staff on their way to Luwero District. A recruiter had convinced them to take jobs digging at a host's home, offering a salary of USh 200,000 ($55 USD)—well below the usual rate of USh 300,000 ($80 USD), signaling potential labor exploitation.

The host covered their transportation costs, and they traveled to Uganda with the recruiter. All three were under 18, traveling without legal documents, and headed to an unfamiliar area where they couldn’t speak the local language—clear warning signs of labor exploitation. Based on these risk factors, the monitors intercepted the teens to keep them safe.

The recruiter was arrested and charged with human trafficking. Our team educated the teenagers on the dangers of trafficking, highlighting the red flags in their situation. Since the monitors were unable to contact their guardians, the teenagers were handed over to the police’s Child and Family Protection Unit for further investigation.

The team in Malawi (pictured with the police) led our global teams in arrests, with 16 for the month!

In one significant case, the police liaison officer (PLO) received information from one of his high-value contacts (HVCs) at a trading center in Thyolo District. The HVC had noticed a large group of people gathered at a specific location, all appearing to be waiting for something. After speaking with one person, the contact learned that they were waiting for transportation to take them to Karonga District for farm work.

The PLO and a monitor immediately rushed to the scene to investigate. After speaking with several travelers, they alerted the police and requested backup. The team intercepted a bus carrying 65 people, including women and children, who were being transported for promised farm work.

The recruiter and transporters were traveling with the group and were arrested on charges of human trafficking. A total of four suspects were taken into custody, and the police are actively searching for a fifth suspect. The case is still ongoing.

Last month, our team in Kenya reached a new milestone, intercepting 481 individuals—their highest number to date! Many of those intercepted were vulnerable young girls, seeking jobs to support their families. This breakthrough in impact was made possible through strong collaboration with local partners, including the police, trusted informants, and the general public.We’re celebrating with our team in Kenya and looking forward to even greater things ahead. As a Project Beautiful member, your support is truly changing lives across the globe. Thank you!

Monitors observed a young girl with an older man at a bus station. Their behavior raised concerns, prompting the staff to approach them for questioning.

The man, Nuraj* (27), claimed they were traveling to another city to meet a friend, but he refused to provide the friend's name or the exact destination. The girl, Sima* (16), echoed his statement but was equally vague about the details. Their reluctance to share specifics heightened the team's suspicions, so they escorted the pair to their booth for further questioning.

During the counseling session, it was revealed that Nuraj and Sima were distant relatives from neighboring villages. Sima, who enjoyed making TikTok reels, had recently discovered that Nuraj also made reels and had more followers than she did. Intrigued, she wanted to collaborate with him and learn how to improve her own reels.

Sima explained that Nuraj visited her family a week prior, during which they made some reels together. Before he left, they agreed to meet the next day to continue making reels. They traveled to a new location, created a few videos, and spent the night in that town. During this time, Sima’s parents were unaware of her exact whereabouts; they only knew she was making reels with someone.

A few days later, Nuraj told Sima about a new reels project that could help them both earn a significant amount of money. He suggested they go to Delhi, India, where she would have more opportunities. Sima agreed, and they began their journey, arriving in Siliguri the following day. From there, they planned to catch a train to Delhi.

After hearing their story, the team asked for contact information for Sima’s parents. They called Sima’s mother, who immediately broke down in tears upon learning her daughter was safe. The mother explained that Sima had left home to make reels but hadn’t returned. The family had been searching for her, and two days earlier, the mother had discovered that Sima was with Nuraj. When she tried to contact him, his phone was turned off, which greatly alarmed her. She and her husband had filed a complaint against him with the local police.

Upon confirming that Sima had run away from home, the team determined that Nuraj had manipulated her with the promise of earning good money. He was taking her to Delhi without her parents' consent and had destroyed his SIM card to prevent contact. Additionally, he had paid for all their travel expenses. Given these significant red flags, the team concluded that Sima was at high risk of exploitation. They contacted the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), whose chairperson advised them to take Sima and Nuraj to the nearest police station for further investigation.

The team counseled Sima, educating her on the dangers of human trafficking and the severe consequences it can have on innocent young girls. After ensuring she understood the risks, they escorted the pair to the police station. In a follow-up call, the team was relieved to learn that Sima had been reunited with her parents and Nuraj was being held in police custody.

*Pseudonym

Our monitors in Blantyre intercepted two girls, Cecilia* (17) and Eliza* (18), from a village in Phalombe district. The girls had recently been approached by a businesswoman who promised them jobs as domestic workers in Mozambique. She instructed them to call her once they reached the Villa Trading Center in Mozambique, where she would then arrange for someone to take them to their final destination.

However, when the monitors attempted to call the woman's number, they found her phone was turned off, making it impossible to verify the legitimacy of the job offer. Given that Cecilia and Eliza were heading to an area known for human trafficking and had been recruited by a stranger to work for an unknown employer, the monitors quickly intervened.

After being educated about the dangers of human trafficking, the girls chose to ensure their own safety and return home.

*Pseudonym

The team in South Africa had a record-breaking month, intercepting 121 people to prevent them from being trafficked—all online! They have been utilizing AI to find the right sites to monitor, catching trafficking schemes on various social media platforms and job postings before people fall victim to deception and exploitation. Using this innovative strategy, they recently intercepted a 22-year-old South African man.  

Unemployed for two years and barely surviving on unemployment insurance, he was desperately looking for work. He showed interest in a Facebook post claiming that Ackermans, a well-known store, was hiring for a new location. The advertised positions included general workers, cleaners, and cashiers, with salaries ranging from R5800–R6500 ($320–$360 USD). Hoping to secure a cashier’s position, he responded to the post.

The monitors contacted the young man and spent time counseling him, pointing out red flags in the job advertisement. The post mentioned that Ackermans was planning to hire 120 people, which raised concerns. This tactic is commonly used by traffickers to attract a large number of applicants, making it easier to select victims. Additionally, the salary offered was slightly higher than usual for such positions.

Staff investigated further by contacting Ackermans directly. They learned that the store never advertises vacancies on Facebook and had no plans to open any new locations. Armed with this information, the monitors informed the young man that the advertised position was a scam, and the suspected trafficker was using Ackermans as a decoy to deceive job seekers. After talking with the team, the young man decided to stop pursuing the job.

Our monitors received a tip-off from a high-value contact (HVC) about a vulnerable 16-year-old girl traveling with a recruiter for promised work. Our team went to the porous border crossing and stopped the pair for questioning. The recruiter had been paid by the girl’s future employer to transport her to her new place of work in Kenya.
The girl told our team she had been enticed by the recruiter to accept a job working as a hotel attendant in Bungoma, Kenya, with a promised pay of USh 450,000 ($120 USD), an amount that is more than double the usual salary of USh 200,000 ($50 USD). Upon hearing the promised pay, our monitors became suspicious as a higher than normal salary is a common tactic used by traffickers to lure people into accepting false jobs and then exploit them. Furthermore, some sectors of the hotel industry are known for sexual exploitation and also labor exploitation through oppressive working conditions and low wages.

Our staff contacted the girl’s guardians and found out that she had left home without their consent. This is another method used by suspects to lure people into exploitative jobs without parental consent to avoid liability. Based on these red flags, the monitors intercepted the young girl, educated her about the dangers of human trafficking, and helped her return home. The host was later arrested and charged with the offense of human trafficking.

After a productive meeting with government authorities, immigration officials, the police, and several local chiefs, the team in Zambia received permission to begin monitoring at a strategic community along the border with Mozambique. 

The Zambian National Army has agreed to give the team access to illegal routes along the border line. Given that this area is a recognized hotspot for human trafficking, we anticipate that expanding our work here will significantly enhance the team's impact and enable them to protect more people from the horrors of slavery. 

Zakariya* (14) was promised a job in town by a woman from his village who was living in Blantyre. The woman had visited his village the previous week, offering him a job as a street vendor in Blantyre with a promised monthly salary of K15,000 ($9 USD).

Before leaving, the woman made arrangements with Zakariya, giving him enough money to pay for his transportation and instructing him to meet her in Limbe. Zakariya followed her instructions and left his village to travel to Limbe. Our team was monitoring at the transit station in Limbe, and they noticed him sitting unaccompanied on a bench. Due to his young age, they were concerned for his safety and approached to see if he needed any help.

Zakariya told them his story and said he had been waiting over two hours for his employer to arrive. He also mentioned that he did not have her phone number and lacked the necessary funds to return home.

When our monitors learned that he was planning to work for someone he did not know very well, they intercepted him to keep him safe. They explained that his promised salary was much lower than the usual pay, which is often a sign of labor exploitation. They educated him about human trafficking, explaining the potential dangers he might face if he continued on his journey. After listening to our team’s warnings, Zakariya chose to ensure his own safety and return home.

*Pseudonym

Our monitors were on duty at a train station in Dhaka when they noticed Hanipa*, a 16-year-old girl without any bags, dressed in new village clothes. She was sitting alone, looking at her phone and crying, so they approached to see if she needed any help.  

Hanipa told them she had traveled to Dhaka for a job promised to her by a man from her village named Rashed*. Hanipa further mentioned that her father had been in an accident three months ago that left him unable to work. Since then, her mother had been doing various domestic jobs to try to make ends meet. But they were struggling to survive, and Hanipa was desperate to try to find work to help provide for her family.

She told our team that she had been standing outside her home the day before, and Rashed came by and started talking to her. During conversation, he asked about her family situation, and she eventually confided in him, admitting that they were barely getting by. He said he could give her a good job at a hospital in Dhaka, working as a cleaner with a monthly salary of 17,000 Tk ($155 USD)—an amount more than double the usual pay. Rashed tempted Hanipa with the promise of a better life in Dhaka, assuring her she would be able to send money back to her family. He also offered to accompany her to Dhaka and help her get settled at her new job. When she accepted his offer, he told her not to tell her family about her plans.

Since Rashed was from her village, Hanipa completely trusted him and agreed to meet him at the train station the next morning. They traveled together to Dhaka, and shortly after they arrived, she overheard him talking on his phone to a man, asking him to come pick them up. Later, Rashed went outside the station to meet up with a friend, and then he called Hanipa to let her know that his friend was going to pick her up and take her to her new job. He told her that this friend would be wearing a red shirt and a white hat. In tears, Hanipa told our team she was nervous and afraid and did not want to leave the station with a stranger.

Our team called Rashed and began asking him questions. When they asked him to come back to the station to talk with them, he hung up the phone. Upon further questioning, Hanipa was unable to provide any documents proving the legitimacy of the promised work, and she told the monitors she had never been given an address or phone number for her place of employment. As our staff was unable to confirm the legitimacy of the job, they intercepted Hanipa and provided her with counseling about human trafficking.

They contacted Hanipa’s mother and informed her of the situation. The mother was grateful for their help and asked if they could arrange her daughter’s transportation home. Our team advised the mother to file a case against Rashed, but she refused to do so. She said they were very poor, and if they filed a case against someone from their village, it would create a lot of problems for Hanipa. Our team facilitated Hanipa’s train ride home, and when she arrived, she called them to let them know she was safe.

*Pseudonym

Our monitors were working at a busy bus station when they noticed a minor girl with an older man. Concerned for her safety, they started following the pair to assess the situation. When the man realized he was being followed, he attempted to run away from the location and leave the young girl behind. But with the help of some local vendors, our team managed to stop him for questioning. The vendors informed our team that the 28-year-old man had been searching for a hotel room for several hours. This information confirmed our staff’s suspicions that the girl was at high risk of being exploited, so they took the pair to their counseling room and separated them for individual interviews.

During questioning, they asked the 15-year-old girl why she was at the bus station in Siliguri. She told them that she had left her home earlier that morning to walk to school. On her way there, she was approached by the man. He asked her to accompany him to Siliguri, and when she refused, he grabbed her and forced her onto a bus with him. They arrived in the city an hour later, and he started searching for a hotel room, asking local vendors for recommendations.

Meanwhile, during his interview, the man insisted he did not force the young girl to come along with him. He claimed she had agreed to travel with him. However, upon further questioning, our monitors were able to confirm that he had manipulated the young girl and taken her to Siliguri against her will. The team then called the girl's parents to inform them of the situation. The parents confirmed that their daughter had left home earlier that morning to go to school. When they learned that an older man from their village had forcefully taken her to Siliguri, they asked our staff to keep her safe until they could come pick her up.

The team eventually discovered that the male suspect was married and had a 2-year-old son. Based on this information and several other red flags, they determined that the man had ill intentions and was planning to exploit the young girl. Our staff spent time counseling the girl, educating her about human trafficking and its consequences. She eventually revealed that the man had been approaching her for the past three months when she was on her way to school.

Based on the information they uncovered during the interview process, the team concluded that the girl was at high risk of being trafficked or abused. They intercepted her to keep her safe, and then they sought assistance from a child welfare committee and the local police. Although the suspect was kept under police custody, he was eventually released because the girl’s parents were unwilling to take any legal action against him. The girl was handed over to her parents in the presence of the child welfare committee. She is now safe at home in her village. 

The team in Burkina Faso worked with authorities to secure their first arrest since starting their transit monitoring work in November 2021!  

The monitors intercepted a Nigerian who had been recruited for a false job offer. Following the interception, staff gathered evidence against the suspected trafficker who had used fraudulent documents for recruitment. Legal steps were taken, leading to the suspect's arrest. This case is currently in court, and our staff intends to follow up as it proceeds.  

A three-month transit monitoring pilot is due to begin this month at the international airport in Manila, the capital city of the Philippines. The partner organization is a well-established non-profit in the Philippines, founded by the daughter of one of their most revered presidents who championed labor protections and the precarious plight of overseas Filipino workers.

They work mostly in the post-trafficking space of rescue and reintegration, but they are very excited about the prospect of focusing more on prevention as a way to save people from the horrors that others have experienced. In February, they worked with LJI staff on a series of online training sessions before the in-person training due to begin this month.

Luka*, a 14-year-old boy from Thyolo District, came to Blantyre in November to work with his friend. They were working for the same boss, selling water around Limbe township. Their employer was mistreating them—not giving them any money for lunch or paying them enough, claiming “business was not going well.”

In December, Luka’s friend left, saying he wanted to visit his parents at home. He never returned, leaving Luka alone. On January 11, 2024, our monitors in Blantyre noticed Luka selling water in town. Based on his young appearance, they knew he should not be working as a street vendor and approached him for questioning. After hearing his story, they intercepted him, provided him with counseling, and helped him return home.

*Pseudonym

Luka*, a 14-year-old boy from Thyolo District, came to Blantyre in November to work with his friend. They were working for the same boss, selling water around Limbe township. Their employer was mistreating them—not giving them any money for lunch or paying them enough, claiming “business was not going well.”

In December, Luka’s friend left, saying he wanted to visit his parents at home. He never returned, leaving Luka alone. On January 11, 2024, our monitors in Blantyre noticed Luka selling water in town. Based on his young appearance, they knew he should not be working as a street vendor and approached him for questioning. After hearing his story, they intercepted him, provided him with counseling, and helped him return home.

*Pseudonym

Chitija*, a 16-year-old girl, met the 26-year-old suspect Bhim* through a friend about a month ago. After their first meeting, they exchanged contact numbers, and then Bhim called her several days later, saying he liked her and wanted to see her again. Chitija agreed to meet him, and while they were together, Bhim promised to marry her and then took advantage of her physically. Chitija trusted him and believed he was going to marry her, so she continued to have a physical relationship with him. 

Bhim eventually suggested that they should run away to India and get married there. He told Chitija that their families would probably separate them if they found out about their relationship. He took her to his friend’s house and began making plans to take her to India. Another man named Ajay* (20) also brought his girlfriend, Saniya* (15), to the same home, intending to also take her to India for marriage. Ajay and Bhim were already acquainted with one another, having met each other previously while working in India. 

Our staff from Guleria Station noticed Bhim, Ajay, Chitija, and Saniya preparing to cross the border. They stopped the group for questioning because it seemed suspicious that two young girls were traveling to India with mature men. Bhim claimed they were going to visit a nearby market in India to do some shopping. However, our monitors did not believe his story because the two girls were carrying bags full of clothes, making it clear that they were planning to be in India for a long time. 

Convinced that Bhim was lying, our staff separated the group for individual questioning. At first, they all repeated what Bhim had said: that they were going to Jogbani to do some shopping. However, when our staff asked the girls why they were carrying bags full of clothing if they were going for a short time, they became visibly nervous and were unable to provide an answer. 

Our monitors spent time counseling Chitija and Saniya, explaining that they might be at risk of becoming victims of human trafficking if they did not tell the truth. They also told them that traffickers often lure innocent Nepali girls to India with false promises of marriage and jobs, deceiving them with dreams of a better life. After listening to our staff, the girls knew they were at risk, so they told the truth about what had happened to them and why they were going to India with the two men.

Our team immediately intercepted Chitija and Saniya and sought help from the police at the border. Bhim and Ajay were arrested for luring the minor girls with promises of marriage and attempting to take them to India without their parents’ permission. After being questioned by the police, Chitija and Saniya were taken to a shelter home for further counseling and care. Later, our staff helped the two girls and their families file human trafficking cases against the suspects. 

*Pseudonyms

Last month, our team in Sierra Leone intercepted Jaminatu*, a 15-year-old girl, who was riding on a motorcycle with her alleged trafficker, a 35-year-old man. They were traveling on one of the bypass routes along the border, escaping the main crossing point when our monitors stopped them for individual interviews.

During questioning, Jaminatu said she had recently met the man at a birthday party. She told our team that he had promised to marry her and had enticed her to leave home without her family’s consent. In a separate interview, the suspect told a different story, saying that Jaminatu was his wife and they were going to Guinea to spend the holidays with his family.

Because of the contradiction in their stories, our team sought assistance from the police. The suspect was placed in police custody for further questioning. Our team provided Jaminatu with counseling about human trafficking and then helped her return home. 

*Pseudonym

During questioning, our team uncovered several inconsistencies in their statements and asked them to provide the contact number for the girl's parents. At that point, the young man started speaking on behalf of the girl, saying that her mother had recently died and her family was cruel to her. ⁠
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Our team separated the couple and continued to interview them. They counseled the young girl, educating her about human trafficking and its consequences. She mentioned that she and the older boy had been Instagram friends for nine months. Recently, he had proposed to her, and they had been in a romantic relationship for three months. They had met in person for the first time earlier that same day. ⁠
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The team asked her to provide her parents’ contact information. She readily gave them her grandmother's phone number. When they contacted the grandmother to inform her of the situation, they learned that the girl’s family had been searching for her for five days. ⁠
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The girl’s family asked our team to take her to the nearest police station and to keep the young man in police custody until they could arrive. Later that day, the girl was reunited with her family. The man was arrested and is now in jail. ⁠

*Photo representative

While monitoring, our team noticed Purnima*, a 30-year-old female from Nepal. She was asking strangers for a ride to India, so our monitors approached and questioned her about her travel plans. She said she was on her way to meet her relatives who lived there. When our monitors asked if her family was aware of her travel plans, she said they were. Our team asked Purnima if they could speak to her parents. She called her father, and when he spoke with our staff, he said he was not aware that his daughter was on her way to India. 

After uncovering Purnima’s lie, our staff took her to their booth for further questioning and counseling. While there, they asked if they could look at her cell phone. When she gave it to them, they discovered that she had been chatting on Facebook with a man named Tuphan*. Purnima told them that she had previously been working for a networking company. Tuphan worked for a different networking company, and they had met each other on Facebook. He offered to arrange a job for her as a domestic helper in India, and he promised her a monthly salary of INR 25,000 ($300 USD)—an amount that is double the usual pay. 

Our staff spent time counseling Purnima, explaining the red flags of the promised position and educating her about human trafficking and labor exploitation. Then, they accompanied her to Nepal and worked with a trusted Nepali NGO to arrange her safe transportation home.

*Names changed and photo representative

The Zambia team reported 39 intercepts and 9 gospel professions last month! All of their recorded interceptions were classified as child labor cases. The monitors in Zambia have been working closely with the families to educate them about child labor and to empower them to provide a better future for their children. To date, the team has enrolled 59 children—all former potential victims of trafficking—into primary school. Before enrolling children in school, the team thoroughly assesses each situation to ensure that only those families who cannot afford the school fees can access the available assistance.

 

Mwamba*, an 11-year-old Tanzanian boy, was lured into accepting a job offer of selling fish in Kampala, Uganda. He was among 10 potential victims who were transported from Tanzania to Uganda. No amount of money was promised to them. Mwamba and the others were put on the streets of Kampala to beg for money, and the proceeds from their work were given directly to the suspected trafficker. 

With the assistance of one of our high-value contacts (HVCs), the investigations team was informed of the suspected trafficker’s actions that led to his arrest. At the time of the arrest, Mwamba was intercepted and rescued from begging on the streets. Unfortunately, the other victims were not present at the time of the suspect’s arrest. Plans are underway to locate and rescue the remaining victims. 

Using young minors for street begging is a serious sign of trafficking for labor exploitation. The suspect was charged with the offense of aggravated child trafficking. Last month, there was a similar case of suspected traffickers recruiting minors, ages 11 and younger, to the streets of Kampala for the purpose of begging. This is a transnational crime that needs to be seriously dealt with in order to protect innocent minors from exploitation. Please pray that justice will be served!

*Pseudonym

In May, our team in Uganda intercepted a potential victim at a main border before crossing into Kenya—thanks to a tip-off from a high-value contact. The individual had been enticed by a recruiter to accept a herdsman job in Eldoret, Kenya.

The promised pay was Ush 350,000 ($93 USD), which is more than double the normal pay. (An unusually high salary is a tactic used by traffickers to lure vulnerable people into accepting work.) The details of the said job were not disclosed. These circumstances, as well as contradictions in both the potential victim's and the suspected trafficker's stories, were serious red flags that alerted our team to potential human trafficking.

The suspect was arrested and handed over to the police, and a case of aggravated human trafficking in persons was filed against him.

The Uganda team is happy to report that earlier this month the suspect in this case was convicted before the court and sentenced to a caution, which means that if he is ever arrested for human trafficking in the future, he will automatically be placed in jail for a minimum of 15 years. These types of convictions are often passed in the lower courts as a deterrence. His conviction still stands and is on record. This is the Uganda team's fourth conviction this year!

Sovina*, a 23-year-old girl, fell in love with Madaraj* (20). He suggested that she should go with him to India to work and live with him there. Sovina didn’t know that Madaraj was friends with Dudha*, a man who was in the process of luring several other girls to India with the false promise of job opportunities in Delhi. Unbeknownst to Sovina, Dudha was encouraging Madaraj to find some girls to take to India under false pretenses.

Dudha paid for the group’s transportation expenses, and then he crossed the border alone, telling everyone else to cross separately after him. Thankfully, the group was intercepted by our Biratnagar staff at the railway station, and they were brought back to Nepal. 

When our staff contacted the girls’ families, they learned that none of them were aware of their daughters’ travel plans. They all asked our staff to stop them from traveling. After providing the females with counseling about human trafficking, our team arranged their safe transportation back to their families. Unfortunately, a legal case couldn't be filed against the suspects due to the unwillingness of the victims.

*Pseudonyms

Komboni* is a 12-year-old boy from a village. When our monitor first noticed him, he was getting off a bus and seemed to be confused. He approached our monitor and asked if he could borrow a cell phone, claiming he needed to call the person who was supposed to come pick him up. When our monitor asked who the person was, Komboni said it was his uncle. 

To confirm Komboni’s story, our monitor asked for his parents’ phone number. When the parents were contacted, they were shocked to hear that their son was in Kigali. They were unaware that he had left home, and they did not know the alleged uncle that Komboni was referring to. 

Upon further questioning, Komboni finally admitted that a neighbor had lured him to the city with the promise of a job earning a monthly salary of 10,000 Rwf ($8 USD). Pretending to be Komboni, our monitor called the phone number of the person who was supposed to come pick him up at the bus station when he arrived. Shortly after that, the suspect arrived at the transit station. He was immediately arrested and taken into police custody for further questioning. Meanwhile, our team arranged Komboni’s safe transportation home where he was reunited with his family.

*Pseudonym

Last month our monitors in Blantyre came across a 13-year-old girl accompanied by an older man. The two of them were preparing to purchase bus tickets to Zimbabwe when our team approached them for questioning. During separate interviews, the man claimed that the girl was his granddaughter, and he was simply taking her to live with him in Zimbabwe. The girl, on the other hand, said she was not related to him, and he was taking her to Zimbabwe to take care of an older man who had suffered a stroke. She informed our monitors that she did not want to go to Zimbabwe with the man, and she revealed that her mother had been hesitant to let her leave with him.

Our monitors reported the case to the police, and the man was taken into custody for further questioning. Meanwhile, the young girl was taken to our shelter for safe lodging until she was repatriated several days later. During a follow-up call with the police, our team learned that the man had been released and had continued his trip to Zimbabwe alone.

 

Durga*, a 15-year-old girl, went missing from her home this summer. For one month, her family frantically searched for her until they finally located her at a hotel in another city. A 23-year-old man named Sameer* had lured her away from her home with the promise of marriage. He had taken Durga to a hotel where he kept her locked up in a room. He frequently raped her and also took money from other people and allowed them to rape her. Durga was never allowed to leave the hotel room. Whenever she refused to engage in prostitution, Sameer would beat her and torture her.

After being rescued from the hotel, Durga was taken to the nearest hospital for treatment. When her family heard what had happened to her, they wanted to file a case against Sameer, but the police would not help them. Eventually, Durga’s family reached out to our staff in Nepalgunj and asked them for assistance. Our team helped them file a human trafficking and rape case against Sameer. He was arrested later that same day!
*Pseudonym

Our team worked to arrange temporary shelter at a Salvation Army for the young boy following his trafficker's arrest. They have his mother's phone number and will contact her for follow-up. We're thankful your giving to Project Beautiful helps identify and arrest perpetrators, as well as protect more people and keep them free!

The team in Argentina observed suspicious activity involving a suspected trafficker attempting to abduct a minor at a bus station under their surveillance. When the young boy tried to escape, the suspected trafficker pursued him into the public restrooms and continued to harass him there. Fortunately, the project manager and monitors intervened, ensuring the boy's safety, and then they promptly reported the suspected trafficker to the police, leading to his arrest. 

We're hopeful that the young boy will bravely testify against the suspected trafficker. May justice prevail in this case, ensuring that the wrongdoer is held accountable for his actions and that the boy receives the protection and support he needs. 

Abel* (17) and Martin* (12) are two brothers who traveled to Nairobi to find work after being abandoned by their mother. Our staff noticed them at a bus station and approached them for questioning. After learning that they were unaccompanied minors in an unfamiliar city without any resources to stay safe, our team intercepted them to protect them from exploitation. 

Our monitors provided Abel and Martin thorough education about human trafficking and child labor, and then they shared the gospel with them. Since they were unaccompanied minors, our staff sought assistance from the police who referred them to a shelter for safe lodging until appropriate next steps could be determined.

*Pseudonym

Sabika*, a 23-year-old female, was told that she would receive a monthly salary of Nrs 40,000 ($303 USD) for working as a domestic helper in Iraq. She was intercepted at the Kakarvitta border as the suspect, Kamal*, was attempting to take her into India. Prior to traveling, Kamal had instructed her not to contact her family or tell anyone of her plans. He also gave her a new SIM card and then made her break her old one. In case anyone stopped her for questioning at the border, Kamal told Sabika to lie and say that she was just going to Siliguri, a nearby Indian city, to meet up with her brother. 

A rickshaw driver contacted our staff to inform them of Sabika’s potential vulnerability. Acting on the tip-off, our monitors went to the border, found Sabika, and stopped her for questioning. When her family was contacted, they were unwilling to let her continue her journey. She was intercepted and a legal case was filed against Kamal. This case is currently under investigation, and the police are still searching for additional suspects involved in the matter.

*Pseudonym

During their transit monitoring duties, our team found a frightened 9-year-old boy named Ashur* who was unaccompanied at a market during school hours. During questioning, Ashur began to share his harrowing story, revealing a backdrop of abuse and exploitation. 

He told our team that he lived alone with his mother in a simple house, but his home was not a place of protection and care. Instead, his mother physically abused and tortured him on a daily basis. She also forced him to work as a water vendor on the streets, completely ignoring his right to attend school and enjoy a healthy and safe childhood. He was forced to draw water from a distant well and then carry the heavy five-gallon jug back to his neighborhood to sell water in the streets.

While telling our team about the ongoing abuse, Ashur mentioned a time when his mother left him in charge of cooking a meal, and he accidentally burned the food. His mother was furious with him and sent him out to sell water, even though it was very late at night. Ashur was afraid to be alone on the streets at night, and he begged his mother not to send him out. She ignored his tears and threatened to punish him and abandon him on the porch without a blanket or food if he did not obey her.

Ashur eventually made the desperate decision to run away from home, seeking any refuge that could keep him away from the daily abuse and suffering at the hands of his mother. He spent a cold and lonely night in the local market, but the next morning, our team found him and intervened. They comforted him and provided him with food and clothing. After hearing his story, they contacted the police as well as several child protection institutions. 

Legal action was taken, and Ashur’s mother was eventually arrested for child abuse and labor exploitation. Ashur was sent to his father's house, where he will receive the necessary support and counseling to begin the healing process. Our monitoring team intends to follow up with Ashur to ensure that he is safe and well taken care of. 

*Pseudonym

From Our Founder's Monthly Report to Our Global Team:

We also completed one of the most important yearly goals in our anti-trafficking work, which is to "develop a process for independent verifications by informed and unbiased nationals and enact it in at least one country." An independent human rights lawyer and research consultant reviewed a random sample of our cases in Uganda and found "all 153 cases [in the sample] to be valid interceptions in which potential victims were at high risk of trafficking." She herself was surprised by the success rate of 100%, which she said "has never really happened" in her similar work with other organizations. She also reviewed our verification process and judged it to be "foolproof." 

One of our monitors noticed Sumi*, a 21-year-old girl sitting alone on a bench at a bus station one evening last month. She seemed nervous and afraid, so our team approached her for questioning.

While they were talking, a man named Anil* came up to the group and stood nearby. When Sumi noticed him, she immediately stopped speaking and looked terrified. Our monitors knew that she was in some sort of danger, so they began to question the man. He claimed that Sumi was his aunt’s guest who had just arrived from Bangalore. He told our staff that he was picking her up from the bus station and transporting her to his aunt’s home. The team found his statement to be suspicious, so they escorted both of them to a room inside the bus terminal and then separated them for individual interviews.

During this time, Sumi shared that she was from Bangladesh. A few months earlier, she had met a Bangladeshi female named Munira* on Facebook who offered her a job working at a beauty parlor in India. Munira assured Sumi that she had worked there previously, and then she offered to help her travel to the location. Sumi was from a poor family, so she eagerly accepted the lucrative job offer. Munira helped her enter India illegally, with the assistance of many of her contacts. Sumi told our team that she didn’t know any of these people, and when questioned further, she was unable to recall many specific details about them as she had only met them one time.

After crossing the border and entering India, Sumi was taken to a transit station where she boarded a train headed toward Bangalore. When she arrived in Bangalore, someone met her at the station and then transported her to the beauty parlor.

Unfortunately, she was unable to tell our staff the name or location of the beauty parlor as it was written in an unfamiliar language. About a week after Sumi arrived there, a man named Bihari* forced her to work as a prostitute under the guise of being a masseuse. Bihari told her that she would earn a daily salary of INR 2,000 ($25 USD). Sumi was appalled to learn about the change in her work agreement. At first she refused, but she was eventually forced to do the work because she was unable to leave and return home.

After working for about a month, she devised a plan and finally managed to escape with the help of one of her clients that she had befriended. When he had learned that she was trapped against her will, he offered to help her leave, and he bought her a plane ticket from Bangalore to Siliguri. Sumi boarded the flight and reached Siliguri, comforting herself with the thought that she only had to cross the border from Siliguri in order to reach her home country of Bangladesh.

However, she was unaware that her traffickers were searching for her. As soon as they realized that she had escaped, they informed others in their network of her disappearance. They circulated her photo and phone number, asking people to find her and notify them so they could come pick her up and take her back to the massage parlor.

Anil, a suspected trafficker, had been notified of Sumi’s disappearance. He managed to contact her by phone, pretending to be a transporter who wanted to help her cross the border from India to Bangladesh. He assured her that he would help her return home. Through this conversation, Anil discovered where Sumi was, and he went to the transit station to pick her up. She was talking to our team when he appeared on the scene.

Shortly after our staff took Sumi and Anil to separate rooms for individual interviews, Anil escaped by breaking down the locked plastic door. Although our team chased him and tried to stop him, he managed to flee the transit station. Based on Anil’s behavior, it was evident that Sumi was in the process of being re-trafficked when our monitors intervened. They reported the situation to the police and helped Sumi file a First Information Report (FIR). The police are continuing to investigate the case. Sumi was produced before the court and has been remanded for judicial custody for further process. Our team intends to follow up on the case as it proceeds. 

*Pseudonym

This month, two of our staff in Liberia conducted a transit monitoring and capacity-building workshop for police in Monrovia. The training was well received, and the officers are looking forward to collaborating in the fight against injustice!

 

Our team in Uganda intercepted a minor potential victim earlier this summer, and they have been keeping us updated on the case. Our police liaison officer traveled to central Uganda to join the potential victim who bravely testified in court as it is a case of great magnitude. We are so thankful to share that on Friday, August 17, our team received a call from the Resident State Attorney informing them that the suspect was convicted on two counts of aggravated trafficking (the trafficking of a minor). This conviction is a first for our newest station in Uganda: Busia Station!

 

Argentina is one of our newer fields, and they intercepted 18 individuals last month to prevent them from being trafficked! Additionally last month, the team attended a workshop on trauma-informed care for victims of trafficking. This training has helped shape the way they interview potential victims and engage with suspected traffickers and officials. 

 

 

 

 

Our monitors intercepted an 18-year-old girl named Kianga*. They saw her at a trading center and noticed that she seemed stranded, so they approached to offer their assistance. During the interview, they learned that she had traveled to the area from her village. She had arrived earlier that day and had been waiting for five hours for a woman named Fatsani* who was going to take her to Mozambique.
Kianga explained that she had previously met Fatsani, a Malawian woman married to a Mozambican man, and they had become friends. Fatsani told her that she owned a big restaurant in Mozambique, and she invited her to come stay with her for an extended visit. Kianga agreed, and they decided to meet up with one another at the trading center, which is where our monitors first noticed Kianga. 

Our team interviewed several people in the area, asking if they knew Fatsani, and they discovered that she was an agent who was recruiting people to work in tobacco fields for a certain businessman in Mozambique. Based on this information, our monitors intercepted Kianga and helped her return home.

*Pseudonym

We just released our latest quarterly report for exclusive donors like you. View the report here. This quarter, we achieved record-breaking impact with 1,732 intercepts in April! With a dramatic reduction in expenditure, we're moving closer to hitting our goal of $120 per intercept in a single month (currently at $157). To enhance our impact, we've implemented new monitoring strategies, expanded referral networks, and hired additional staff. Our partners in East Africa and South Asia, have hired spiritual care coordinators, providing vital resources for our teams and enabling us to share the gospel more effectively. This spiritual focus will be extended to all nations as funding is identified.

During our team’s normal transit monitoring duties at a bus station, they noticed a group of three boys and one girl talking to each other. The girl was a minor and appeared to be uncomfortable around the three boys. After observing the group for a few minutes, our team approached them to assess the situation.

At first, they claimed to be siblings. However, our team was suspicious about the situation and separated them for individual interviews. During this time, they uncovered several inconsistencies in their stories and took them to the police station for further assistance. Our monitors counseled the girl about human trafficking and explained the nature of their work. She eventually admitted that she had been in a month-long relationship with Shanto*, one of the three boys. She told our team that she had initially met him through a misdialed phone call. She shared that Shanto had sent her money to come meet him in person. She completely trusted him and agreed to meet him at the bus station without informing her family of her plans. 

However, when she arrived at the station, she saw that Shanto was not alone; he had brought two other boys along with him. This was not what she was expecting, and she was very afraid of them. After investigating the matter further, our team learned that the boys were planning to mistreat her. The boys were handed over to the police for further investigation. Meanwhile, our staff contacted the girl’s parents and explained the situation to them. Later that day, the parents came to the police station to pick up their daughter and help her return home; before leaving, they thanked our staff for their assistance. 

*Pseudonym

Our work in Ethiopia only began in December 2022, but we are already seeing rapid impact. Our director of compliance recently visited the team in the field and got this footage of two staff members monitoring at a busy transit point where they work to spot and stop trafficking before it occurs. She attributes their success to having the right people in place to carry out our strategy. We're excited to see the future of what this team will continue to do to fight trafficking in Ethiopia!

On a busy afternoon, our team stationed at a bus stand noticed four young girls, ranging in age from 19 to 25, who were in the process of boarding a bus. Our monitors quickly sprang into action and followed them onto the bus to question them about their travel plans. 

The girls claimed to be going to a shopping area in a different country across the border. In order to verify their story, our team asked them where the mall was located and the route that they would be taking in order to reach their destination. The girls appeared confused and could not answer. 

Concerned for their safety, our team intercepted them and took the entire group to their booth for individual interviews. During this time, one of the girls claimed that they were all going for job training at a company located near the shopping mall. When the team asked the girls how they had found out about the company, they shared that Sajid*, a man from their village, had informed them about the company and the available job openings.

According to the girls, he had told them that they would receive a salary of $240 USD but would also have to invest an upfront sum of $240 USD in order to join the company. Three of the girls had brought the investment money with them, but the remaining girl had not as she was still deciding if she wanted to join the company. Sajid had also told the girls that if they were model employees, the company would reward them with an all-expense-paid tour package throughout the country and abroad. 

During the interview, one of the girls received an incoming call on her cell phone. Our staff tried to answer it, but as soon as they spoke, the caller on the other end disconnected the call. The team confirmed that Sajid was the one who had just called the girl’s phone. Through text messages, he directed the girls to travel by bus to the city center, and he promised to meet them when they arrived. Our staff repeatedly tried to call Sajid back, but his phone was turned off. After that, they accompanied the girls to the bus stand in an attempt to locate Sajid. Unfortunately, they were unable to find him, so they returned to the booth and asked the girls to call their families. 

The families were unaware of their daughters’ travel plans and asked our team to keep them safe until they could be returned home. Our staff counseled the young girls and educated them about human trafficking, explaining the methods that traffickers use to deceive their victims and teaching them how to protect themselves in the future. After that, the team took the group across the border to their own country, where they handed them over to staff from a trusted NGO who arranged the girls’ transportation back to their respective villages.

*Pseudonym

Our team intercepted a 13-year-old girl who had been recruited for domestic work. Our staff was monitoring at a busy transit station when they first noticed her and stopped her for questioning. When they contacted her family, they found out that the young girl was traveling without their awareness or consent. Due to her young age and vulnerable situation, our monitors intercepted her, provided her with counseling about human trafficking and labor exploitation, and then arranged her safe transportation home.

This interception involved 13 individuals, including two young women and their children. The women’s husbands had been working in South Africa for several months. They had not had any contact with them because they didn’t have cell phones. The women had been struggling to provide for their children because they lacked resources and were not receiving any money from their husbands. 

One day, a man named Emmanuel* appeared in their village. He told the women that he had been sent by their husbands to take them and their children to South Africa. Emmanuel told the women that their husbands needed them and that they had good jobs and houses waiting for them in South Africa. 

Although they were unable to prove if Emmanuel was telling the truth, the women were moved by the hope of being reunited with their husbands and decided to trust him. Emmanuel took the women and their children in a car, promising to take them to Ressano Garcia, and from there they would cross the border to South Africa.

It was the first time that the women and children had traveled abroad. They were unfamiliar with the destination and would be unable to speak the language once they arrived in South Africa. Because they were traveling without proper documentation, Emmanuel told them that they would have to cross the border illegally through the help of smugglers. He assured them that it would be a calm and peaceful process, and then he convinced them to enter the dangerous forest in Ressano Garcia to illegally cross the border.

When our monitors noticed the group and stopped them for an interview, Emmanuel immediately fled the scene. Although our team tried to follow him, they were unable to locate him for questioning. Our staff spent considerable time educating the two women about human trafficking and all the dangers they were exposing themselves to by traveling to South Africa with a stranger. They also explained that because Emmanuel had abandoned them, he was probably trafficking them for exploratory work or something even worse, like organ harvesting. 

After listening to our staff’s warnings, the women realized the potential danger they were in and agreed to go home. Our monitors accompanied them to the police station to file a complaint against Emmanuel. The police promised to investigate the case, and our team assured the women that they would follow up with the police.

After leaving the police station, our monitors escorted the women and their children to a trusted organization that provided them with food, a place to rest, and safe transportation home. Several days later, the women contacted our team to thank them for their help and to let them know they had arrived safely.

*Pseudonym

Our monitoring staff recently intercepted three girls: Ananya* (15), Prachi* (18), and Manisha* (16). When our team first noticed them, they were wandering around a train station and seemed lost. After observing them for a while, our monitors asked them where they were going and who they were traveling with. At this same time, a man named Karan* came up to the group and tried to get the girls to walk away with him.

Our monitors stopped them and asked the man to explain who he was and how he was related to the girls. He claimed to be their brother and said he was taking them to his home nearby. Our staff asked to see their identification cards, but Karan was hesitant to show them. He said he was the girls’ guardian and asked why they were questioning them. 

The team made him aware of their work and then asked him to cooperate with them. Our monitors separated the girls for individual interviews and asked about their relationship to one another. Prachi said that Ananya was her sister and Manisha was their neighbor. According to Prachi’s statement, they had all run away from their homes. When asked about their relationship to Karan, Prachi said that she and Ananya didn’t know him and that he was Manisha's distant relative.

Our staff asked the group to accompany them to their booth for further questioning. During this time, they counseled them and provided them with information about human trafficking. When they asked the girls why they had run away from their homes, Prachi said that her father was an alcoholic and used to beat her and her sister every day whenever they didn't give him any money. Meanwhile, Manisha said that her father was forcing her to get married instead of listening to her wishes to further her education. 

The three girls said that they had run away from their homes to escape the ongoing arguments and physical abuse. Prachi said that her father used to physically abuse her mother, so her mother had left the home to go live with her brother in Manpura. The girls were hoping to go to Manpura to live with Prachi’s mother.

Our staff asked the girls if they wanted to go with Karan. They all said they didn’t want to go with him because he would take them back to their village and they did not want to return to their own homes. After completing all documentation with due diligence, our team handed Ananya, Manisha, and Prachi to staff from a trusted child welfare organization for further assistance and care. The girls were taken to a shelter home, where they received medical care and counseling. During a follow-up call, our team learned that Ananya and Prachi were staying with their mother in Manpura while Manisha had been returned to her family.

*Pseudonyms

Our staff was working at a train station in South Asia when they intercepted three females: Jayarani* (18), Manju* (19), and Bindya* (22). The girls were sitting together and seemed nervous and afraid, so our team approached to offer their assistance. 

Initially, the females lied, saying that they had come from their village with a man who had promised them work, and they claimed to be going to a certain city. Our staff immediately became suspicious because that city is located between their hometown and the train station, so it didn’t make sense that they would have traveled to the train station only to turn around and head back in the opposite direction. Our team continued to counsel them, encouraging them to tell the truth.
Jayarani and Manju eventually revealed that they had been brought to the area five months earlier by a man from their village named Rajendra*. They had worked for him at his dog kennel, caring for all of the dogs and cleaning the three-story building. They were expected to attend to the dogs’ needs at any given time of the day. The gates to the compound were always locked, and the girls’ movements were restricted. Furthermore, they did not receive any payment for their work.

Meanwhile, during Bindya’s interview, she said she had been kept at the same compound since 2019. She had gone there with a boy from her village, but since he didn't like the work, he left. Despite her dislike for the work, Bindya was unable to leave the place. She said they were always under CCTV surveillance, so she had no chance of escape. She also told our team that she was never paid a salary, and whenever she expressed her desire to go home, she was sent out to the terrace to sleep. She further mentioned that she was sometimes physically abused.

After talking to the three females, our staff contacted Jayarani’s brother and informed him of the situation. He said he worked far away in a different town and would be unable to come. He also mentioned that his father was too old to travel. After completing all documentation and verification, our team handed the three females over to a trusted shelter for additional assistance and care. During a follow-up call, our staff learned that Jayarani, Manju, and Bindya had all been sent back to the safety of their homes.

*Pseudonyms

Parchance*, an 18-year-old female, was deceived and recruited by a broker who offered her a waitressing job in Mtwapa with a promised salary more than double the normal pay.

Even though Parchance had a 2-year-old child and lacked any relevant work experience, the broker insisted that he would still be able to secure her the job. Parchance accepted the offer and then boarded a train from Voi to meet her broker.

When Parchance arrived at the destination, her broker was not present at the transit station. Thankfully, our team noticed her distress and stopped her for questioning. During the interview, she stated that it was her first time to travel and her expenses had been paid for by someone who was not related to her. Furthermore, she mentioned that she was traveling without a cell phone, and she did not know anyone who lived in the area. 

In order to confirm the authenticity of the job, our staff called the number that had been written down for Parchance on a piece of paper, but they were unable to verify the employment because their call went directly to voicemail. Based on multiple red flags, our staff intercepted Parchance to keep her safe. They provided her with safe lodging and education about human trafficking, and then they repatriated her home the next day.

*Pseudonym

Our staff recently intercepted Chipo*, a young woman who had been abused by her husband and thrown out of her home. When she went to the police station to report the abuse, she was told that she should return to her home and settle the dispute with her husband. The next day, Chipo and her husband had another heated argument, and he threw her and her child out of the home once again. With no other options, Chipo carried her 11-month-old baby and started walking along a road where vendors often sell various products. One of the vendors who works there is also one of our informants. He noticed Chipo and called our monitor to inform her of the presence of a woman who seemed to be at high risk of being exploited. 

Our monitor immediately went to the area and stopped Chipo for questioning. As Chipo was sharing her story, she mentioned that she had been raped, and the child who was with her was the result of that rape. Chipo’s decision to settle with the abusive man she called her husband was a desperate attempt to find a safe place for her and her child to live. Our staff comforted Chipo and then contacted a trusted partner organization to arrange safe shelter for her and her child.

*Pseudonym

Our anti-trafficking teams broke our previous intercept record with 673 verified intercepts last month! This is the third month in a row of breaking our intercept record, reflecting the hard work that went into improving our systems for expanding and enacting our work during the pandemic.

Additionally, our teams assisted in 14 arrests. We also started monitoring in Burundi, a country that our new Impact Prediction Model suggests will be very impactful; (we've had a number of intercepts already, but they are not yet verified).

Our team in Gbalamuya intercepted a 5-year-old boy named Dennis* who was sitting alone in a taxi. When our monitor questioned the driver about the situation, he said Dennis’s family lived in Kaso and he was taking him to his mother’s home in Guinea. 

Our staff obtained the phone number for Dennis’s mother, but they were unable to reach her to verify her son’s travel plans. Since Dennis was far too young to travel by himself to an unfamiliar country, they intercepted him to keep him safe. They comforted him, explaining that they only wanted to protect him, and then they arranged his safe transportation back to Kaso, where they reunited him with his family.

*Pseudonym

Our Malawi team  intercepted a 13-year-old girl named Melina*  who was on the run after escaping from an exploitative labor situation in Lilongwe.

Melina had been approached by an agent in her village about a job taking care of a baby and earning a monthly salary of K20,000.00 ($25 USD). She accepted the offer, but because of the exploitative nature of the work, she decided to leave the job after three months. Melina explained that the work was not just babysitting, but she was also expected to do all of the household chores.

After our staff intercepted Melina, they sent her to Blantyre to be sheltered at a safe house. While there, she was interviewed by our investigators. It was discovered that before going to Lilongwe, she had previously been exploited for child labor in Blantyre, and in both cases, Melina’s guardians had not given their consent. 

 

Our investigations team started following the story to gather more evidence. After collecting sufficient evidence, they reported the case to the police. Melina was taken to the police station to provide an official statement and to file a human trafficking case. Then, our investigators partnered with the police to launch an operation where they managed to arrest the two perpetrators from Blantyre and Lilongwe. When the first suspect was interrogated, she admitted that she had employed Melina with the promise that she would be paid a monthly salary of K15,000.00 ($18 USD). The second suspect also admitted that she had employed Melina and promised to pay her a monthly salary of K20,000.00 ($25 USD). 

Although these two suspects have been apprehended, this case is ongoing, and our investigations team is currently hunting for the agent who first approached Melina with the job opportunity. So far, they have obtained his contact information and have made contact with one of his associates.

*Pseudonym

A 23-year-old female was attempting to fly to Nigeria with her younger sister who is a minor. Our monitor noticed the two females and approached them to ask about their travel plans. The older sister responded, saying they were flying to Nigeria where she would be working on a public health campaign for a few days. Upon further questioning, our monitor learned that the older sister did not have any related work experience and was unable to provide any confirmation of her promised employment in Nigeria. Furthermore, they were unable to provide sufficient documentation authorizing the international travel of a minor.

During the interview, the sisters shared that a man in Nigeria had paid for their travel expenses and hotel accommodations, and he had even offered to pay for the little sister’s travel expenses even though she would not be working.⁠⁠

Our monitor contacted the recruiter by phone. He refused to identify himself or confirm any details, and he hung up quickly. The younger sister admitted she was scared and shared that she had never traveled out of the country before. When our monitor contacted the girls’ mother, she said she did not know that her daughters’ tickets had been arranged and paid for by someone else, and she thought they were going to Nigeria for a vacation. ⁠

The little sister said, “I really didn’t want to go, and last night I prayed to God telling Him that I didn’t want to go. When you stopped us, I was so happy, but please do not tell my sister because she will feel bad.” While talking to the sisters, our monitor educated them about human trafficking, explaining the dangers of going to a foreign country to meet someone they had never met before. After talking with our team, the two sisters realized they were in a dangerous position and agreed to return home. They thanked our staff for their help and said they were relieved they had been stopped before they had traveled too far away from their home.⁠

Ramkali*, a 15-year-old girl, was intercepted by our staff on the morning of November 29, 2021. During questioning, she revealed that she was running away from her home to go to Kolkata, India, to marry Sameer*, a 24-year-old man she had met through an online game.

Ramkali shared that Sameer had proposed to her, inviting her to come to his house. After accepting his proposal, she stole money from her parents and then ran away without informing anyone of her travel plans. When she arrived at the bus station near the border, she asked a stranger to help her buy a ticket. Dressed in her school uniform, she lied to the man, saying that she was studying in India and her relatives were too busy to come to the station to help send her off. The man was trying to help Ramkali buy a ticket when our staff first noticed them and stopped them for questioning. 

When our team learned that Ramkali was a minor who was preparing to cross the border to marry a stranger she had met online, they knew she was at high risk of being exploited. They contacted her family to explain the situation, and they asked our staff to stop her from traveling. Our team intercepted Ramkali, provided her with counseling, and then sent her back to her home. Unfortunately, they were unable to apprehend Sameer as his whereabouts were unknown.

*Pseudonyms

 

Shadia* (11) and Alinne* (10) are two girls from a village in Rwamagana District in Rwanda. One afternoon when they were walking home from school, they were approached by a female broker who promised to give them good jobs in Kigali. The young girls were excited about the opportunity and immediately agreed to travel with her without informing their families. When they reached the bus station in Kigali, the broker suddenly disappeared, abandoning the girls in an unfamiliar area. Our staff believes that the woman noticed their presence at the station and fled the scene to avoid arrest. Our monitors found Shadia and Alinee wandering around the bus station crying. They comforted them and then arranged their safe transportation home. Their families were so grateful for the work of Love Justice, and they promised to educate other people in their community about human trafficking.

*Pseudonyms

In addition to the recently opened Mexico and Alaska stations, thanks to your faithful partnership in our mission, we were able to begin transit monitoring in three new countries in the final months of 2021. We wanted you to be the first to know! Burkina Faso, Liberia, and Zambia are all open, and Love Justice monitors are on the ground, working to spot and stop traffickers. Liberia and Burkina Faso have already seen their first intercepts—see below for pictures. We can't wait to see how many more countries we can start working in to keep more people free.