Combatting Human Trafficking
Partner | Loreto Eastern Africa Province
Location | Kangemi, Kenya
Overview
Kenya is a high-risk country for human trafficking, largely due to the extreme poverty levels of those living in the many slums and informal settlements scattered across the country. Children in these areas are particularly vulnerable as traffickers know their victims do not have a safe place to turn for justice.
This project is aimed at combatting the rising levels of human trafficking in Kangemi, one of the oldest informal settlements in Nairobi. This will be achieved by creating a network of support services led by local volunteers trained to deliver human trafficking outreach awareness programs.
With more than 100,000 residents, Kangemi is home to many migrants and refugees from other countries, including Congo and Rwanda. Sanitation is poor, water and electricity supplies are unreliable, and other social amenities are lacking. With poor living conditions, high crime and congestion, Kangemi is a fertile ground for human trafficking. Those in search of employment for a better life and with little or no awareness of trafficking often find themselves at the mercy of human traffickers.
Challenges
Human trafficking is a dynamic field, and those engaged in trafficking are constantly evolving their methods. Poverty levels like those seen in Kangemi also mean that people will be easily lured with false promises of a brighter future.
Sadly, family members are often engaged in trafficking, making it very difficult to combat, as the victim may have absolute trust in their trafficker.
Human trafficking can only be fully addressed when viable alternative livelihoods are available, and in a context like Kangemi, this may never become a reality.
Impact
Through outreach awareness programs, the community will understand their human rights, be alert to the warning signs of potential trafficking, and know how to seek help when human trafficking occurs. School children in Kangemi will also become aware of the possibility of being taken by traffickers.
With assistance from the local network, victims or potential victims of human trafficking will be identified, rescued and referred for support.
Anti-trafficking knowledge will become embedded into the community by engaging local health workers, law enforcement, legal experts, teachers, and other community leaders. This strong network plays a critical role in the success and sustainability of the project.
Activities
- Identify 30 volunteers from the local community to become experts on human trafficking.
- Deliver a 6-day human trafficking workshop to the volunteers.
- With the volunteers, design outreach awareness programs for the general community.
The trained volunteers will then:
- Deliver human trafficking awareness programs to the community and schools.
- Receive information from the community on trafficking, report incidences to the relevant authorities, and with local government leaders, rescue victims and refer them for support.
- Provide holistic support to victims/survivors of human trafficking.
