Project Report
| Oct 30, 2025
Meet Sanchez: Surviving Cycles of Exploitation
![Sanchez with his grandmother at reunification]()
Sanchez with his grandmother at reunification
Sanchez (pseudonym), a 14-year-old male, was referred to Hope for Justice by Kawempe Police in Kampala after being intercepted by Gulu Police Station.
Sanchez stayed with his grandparents until one day, when they sent him to fetch water on his bicycle, and he realized the lid was missing after filling the jerrican. He returned to search the lid along the way, but he couldn't find it and when he returned he found that his bicycle had been stolen. He was worrying about how his grandparents would react. While walking to the next town, he met a man who coerced him to move to Kampala to work and earn some money to be independent from his grandparents.
The man gave Sanchez to another woman in Kampala, who, in addition to inadequate food, unsanitary housing, and drug exposure, made him sell eggs and bananas every day for months without pay. While enduring the situation of labor exploitation, Sanchez was persuaded by an unknown gentleman, who pretended to be sympathetic to his plight, to travel to Sudan with the promise of a high-paying job, which he couldn't resist.
While traveling to Sudan, Sanchez was left at a bus stop by the man who promised to arrange their accommodation and continue the journey the later day. The security at the bus stop alerted the police, but the perpetrator purportedly fled before they could arrest him after noticing Sanchez with the officers. Sanchez survived the repeated cycles of exploitation and trafficking.
The Police referred him to Hope for Justice for care and protection while his grandparents were traced for reunification. While at the HFJ Lighthouse, Sanchez received trauma-informed counselling, assessments, life skills training, and behavioural change activities, which significantly improved his progress with post-traumatic stress disorder and depression from past abuse.
Sanchez’s grandparents were traced with the help of a Probation Officer, who verified the authenticity of the child's story. After multiple searches for him, the family was so happy to hear about Sanchez's existence. It was a joy for both Sanchez and his grandparents at reunification.
Despite his struggles, Sanchez is currently enrolled in Primary 4 and enthusiastic about learning. His grandparents are encouraging. Sanchez is interested in next pursuing hands-on skills training in motor vehicle mechanics, which his grandparents are supportive of.
Photo of Sanchez with his grandmother at reunification, who was still in disbelief that her grandson was still alive.
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