The monitoring trip to Nigeria was a powerful reminder of the resilience and determination of survivors. It highlighted the importance of continuous support, accurate data reporting, and empowering survivors to advocate for themselves and their communities.
In a poignant and solemn gathering, stakeholders, activists, and community members recently convened for the closing ceremony of a significant anti-trafficking project. The event marked not only the culmination of tireless efforts but also a moment to reflect on the...
In Senegal, we are collaborating with the Center on Human Trafficking Research & Outreach (CenHTRO) at the University of Georgia, two civil society organizations, law enforcement, and other government agencies to combat severe sex trafficking in the Kedougou...
A two-day media capacity building workshop was held on December 4th and 5th, 2023, in Kédougou, where 20 journalists from various media houses came together to deepen their understanding and reporting skills on a grave issue affecting the region, which is the...
The Kedougu region of Senegal is currently caught up in a gold rush, with thousands of people working in informal artesian gold mining. Despite the economic potential of gold, it creates comes with a price that has is a darker effect on the community. A local belief...
Free the Slaves (FTS) team in Senegal organized an extraordinary homecoming on June 16, 2023. The heroes of this story were 26 resilient survivors of sexual exploitation, ranging in age from 13 to 26 years old. The vigilant agents of the NGO La Lumière removed these...
A collaborative effort between multiple organizations and the governments of Senegal and Nigeria results in 19 women and children returning to their families in Nigeria.
Free the Slaves and our implementing partner, La Lumiere, successfully reintegrated 16 survivors of Commercial Sexual Exploitation back to Nigeria. The successful return of these survivors to their homes is the first repatriation as part of the Program to Address...
Twelve Nigerian women are free from slavery in Senegal today! Adaku*, Joy*, Esther*, and Chinara* were intercepted in Fadougou village on their way to what they believed were good jobs in restaurants, hotels, or boutiques that paid a good salary.
To date, the cost of the global COVID-19 pandemic has most frequently been measured in lives lost and the cost to domestic economies, while triumphs have often been charted in terms of vaccine roll-outs and partial or full returns to the ‘freedoms’ outside lockdown. ...
The Freedom from Slavery Forum is pioneering new ground this year as the anti-slavery movement’s premiere thought-leadership convening. For the past eight years, the Forum has been a collegial space for anti-slavery leaders from around the world to coalesce, create...
Dear Friends and Supporters, I write this letter as I shelter in place amidst the spreading of the coronavirus pandemic. The close tethering to our homes underscores the importance of communities even in today’s hyperconnected world. Likewise, eliminating slavery...
The year 2020 brings several important anniversaries. It’s the 20th anniversary of the United Nations Palermo Protocol, the landmark treaty to confront modern forms of slavery worldwide. It’s the 20th anniversary of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, the...
Free the Slaves is thrilled to announce that a courageous advocate for the rights of women and children has joined the organization as executive director. Bukeni Tete Waruzi has helped put a Congolese warlord behind bars, has helped women trafficked into domestic...
Good news today from the U.S. State Department. Both Haiti and Senegal have been removed from the Tier Two Watch List in the annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report, an indication that the governments of both countries are increasing their efforts to combat human...
As chair of the Free the Slaves board of directors, I want to personally let you know that a generous foundation this summer is increasing its support of our work. They’ll match dollar-for-dollar your summertime contributions, up to $100,000. It’s a unique opportunity...
My journey to becoming a human rights activist began while I was a high school. During holiday breaks, my classmates and I organized "Framing Camps" to benefit children in our neighborhood. Later, I had an opportunity to attend a child rights workshop and research...
Last week’s Free the Slaves seminar in Senegal on child begging slavery was a remarkable success. Representatives from the Senegal government, international organizations and local civil society groups gathered to learn how our Aar Sunu Xaleyi (Protect Our Children)...
No parent wants to force their child onto city streets to beg, but that’s what is happening in Senegal. Many village parents think their children are going to the city for religious boarding school. Instead, heartless traffickers force many kids into begging slavery....
It doesn’t look like much, just a small brick building with a dirt floor and tin roof. But it’s a major step in ending child slavery in Senegal. Residents of Medina Samba Diamanka have typically sent their children to boarding schools in the city to learn the Quran...
The U.S. State Department says many African governments are doing a better job combating modern slavery. More than a dozen African nations received upgrades in the annual Trafficking in Persons Report (TIP). The upgrades include Ghana, where Free the Slaves has helped...
Every day, the staff of Free the Slaves works in solidarity with local partners and communities to help bring about a more just world. We do so in Haiti, in several countries in Africa, and in Asia. Every day, our staff manifests tremendous dedication and skill. Every...
He traveled 500 miles to see slavery for himself, unaware that he would find a member of his own family trapped in a street begging gang in Senegal. Without hesitation, he rescued the boy, 12 and brought him home. Mamady Diamanka serves as president of his village’s...
U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson says the 2017 Trafficking in Persons Report illustrates “the commitment of our country that we have this joint effort underway across the entire United States government” to combat modern slavery. “Human trafficking is as old as...
A religious leader in a remote village in Kolda recruited three young brothers, only 7 and 8 years old, to go to urban Saint-Louis seemingly to learn the Quran. Many families in Senegal send their children to religious boarding schools, or daaras, in Saint-Louis, a...
In many of the countries where we work, modern slavery is hidden from public view. But not in Senegal. Child slavery here is evident everywhere. Little boys carrying empty plastic margarine containers cluster on street corners and markets all over Dakar, Saint-Louis...
Trafficking Prevention Month ends today, but we would like to ask Free the Slaves supporters to remain vigilant throughout the year. With fast-moving changes at the White House and Capitol, this is a critical time for letting government officials know that fighting...
The season of giving is close at hand. In celebration of the spirit of community , Free the Slaves is spotlighting some of most inspiring donors in our original film series, “Why I Free Slaves.” These short profiles tell the deeply personal stories of people who...