Support survivors of child trafficking in Ethiopia

The 3,000th survivor, Kantusha*, is 14 years old. He was trafficked to Addis Ababa by his older brother and exploited for labour. Kantusha was forced to wander the streets with a set of portable scales, weighing people in exchange for money. He worked dawn to dusk, in all weathers. The Ethiopian Birrs that he earned were then taken by his brother. Other children in these situations typically live in overcrowded, cramped spaces with little food.

Kantusha eventually managed to run away from his brother but ended up living on the streets. Our outreach workers found him and invited him to join Canaan Lighthouse. There, he had access to various aftercare services, including shelter, clothing, nutritious food, medical care, catch-up education, counselling and life skills.

At the celebration event, Kantusha and other survivors delivered a performance to depict how children are trafficked and exploited within the weight measurement business. Their role-play demonstrated how children are abused by perpetrators, how Hope for Justice identifies at-risk children, assists in their recovery and reintegrates them with their families. Kantusha is very keen to learn and actively participates in his classes at the Lighthouse. He says he would like to continue his education. Our team of social workers have been able to successfully trace his family and are preparing for him to be reintegrated with his relatives.

All of the children who receive aftercare at our Lighthouses are either survivors of modern slavery or were previously at risk of exploitation. The children are referred to Hope for Justice or identified by our trained outreach workers who engage with them on the streets. Of the 3,000 boys who have been supported at Canaan Lighthouse, 2,779 have been reintegrated back into safe family settings. A total of 32 children have been assisted into independent living.

At the event, a Hope for Justice Social Worker, added: “Celebrating 3,000 children who have been freed from the hands of human trafficking is a truly remarkable and humbling achievement. Every number in that record signifies a voice restored, a future restored, and a life transformed. It is evidence of the persistent effort, unshakable optimism, and profound dedication that underpin all that we do at Hope for Justice. This is a plea to keep fighting until every child is free, not just a celebration of the progress that has been made. I appreciate being a part of this journey.”

*Name changed to protect identity of the survivor