Blog
My Journey as a Survivor Leader
From surviving human trafficking to leading the fight against it, Bernadette Agano shares her powerful journey of transformation and advocacy. Through her work with Free the Slaves in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Bernadette has empowered fellow survivors, influenced policies, and helped build a national survivor network. Her story is a testament to resilience, solidarity, and the urgent need for action in the fight against modern slavery.
Leading with Purpose: My Journey of Empowerment
From surviving human trafficking to becoming a leader and advocate, Fauziah Wanjiru’s journey is one of resilience, transformation, and purpose. Through her work with Free the Slaves and the Survivor Network Kenya, Fauziah has amplified the voices of survivors, influenced national policies, and empowered others to reclaim their freedom. Her story is a powerful testament to the impact of survivor leadership in the fight against modern slavery.
My Journey of Empowerment: From Survivor to Leader
At Free the Slaves, we believe that survivors of modern slavery are not just part of the solution—they are the heart of it. When survivors are given the tools, support, and opportunities to lead, they can transform not only their own lives but also the lives of others.
Today, we’re sharing the story of Eileen Beryl Oginga, a survivor whose journey from victim to leader demonstrates the power of survivor-centered solutions. With courage, resilience, and the support of Free the Slaves, Eileen has become a champion for change, inspiring hope and action in the fight against modern slavery.
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My Journey as a Survivor Leader
From surviving human trafficking to leading the fight against it, Bernadette Agano shares her powerful journey of transformation and advocacy. Through her work with Free the Slaves in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Bernadette has empowered fellow survivors, influenced policies, and helped build a national survivor network. Her story is a testament to resilience, solidarity, and the urgent need for action in the fight against modern slavery.
Leading with Purpose: My Journey of Empowerment
From surviving human trafficking to becoming a leader and advocate, Fauziah Wanjiru’s journey is one of resilience, transformation, and purpose. Through her work with Free the Slaves and the Survivor Network Kenya, Fauziah has amplified the voices of survivors, influenced national policies, and empowered others to reclaim their freedom. Her story is a powerful testament to the impact of survivor leadership in the fight against modern slavery.
Empowering Students to Combat Modern Slavery with Xavier University
Free the Slaves partnered with Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan’s National Service Training Program to educate over 110 students on modern slavery. Through workshops, students explored actionable solutions, such as leveraging social media and participating in local discussions, to fight human trafficking. This initiative highlights the pivotal role of youth in creating a world free from exploitation.
Our Work
Free the Slaves’ Active Engagement in Key Regional Events In Asia
In July and August 2024, Free the Slaves participated in regional anti-slavery discussions in Asia, participating in key events focused on combating human trafficking and child exploitation. These events focused around collaboration and knowledge-sharing, addressing modern slavery in some of the most vulnerable regions of the world.
Training Transforms Survivors into Leaders in the Movement Against Modern Slavery
Survivors are now stepping into leadership positions, forming networks, and establishing organizations to lead the movement against trafficking and modern slavery. Both international and national organizations are playing a vital role in supporting these survivor networks through capacity-building and awareness-generation activities.
Harsh Realities of Forced Labor and Child Labor in West Africa’s Cocoa Industry
The newly released reports on Nigeria and Ghana offer an in-depth examination of how forced labor and child labor continue to underpin cocoa production in these countries. Despite being among the top cocoa producers globally, Nigeria and Ghana have long struggled with the dark side of this industry.
News
Free the Slaves Welcomes New Board Members
Free the Slaves is grateful to welcome Fanta Toure-Puri and Moninda Marube to our board of directors.
Free the Slaves Partners with Three New Organizations in Vietnam
Free the Slaves is excited to announce our new partnerships in Vietnam. These partnerships will allow us to understand more about the country and its need to have more players in the human trafficking space. These partnership endeavors are essential for developing...
FTS Executive Director Expresses Support for Panagtapok 2022
There is power in the collaboration and action of dedicated leaders to address societal issues. This was clearly achieved when more than 200 leaders from the Philippines gathered together in the Panagtapok 2022 (which translates to 'a gathering' in English). The event...
Americas
The Fight Against Human Trafficking: The Pursuit of Justice in the Dominican Republic
The Fight Against Human Trafficking and the Pursuit of Justice in the Dominican Republic. In the lush landscapes of the Dominican Republic (DR), a country celebrated for its beautiful beaches and vibrant culture, lies an insidious issue that casts a dark shadow: human...
Hope Amid Crisis in Haiti
You have probably seen in the news that Haiti is facing a crisis with multiple layers: political instability, a natural disaster, economic uncertainty, food shortages, and kidnappings for ransom. The president was assassinated, a 7.2 earthquake killed more than 2,000...
Joint Statement and Call to Action on the Crisis in Haiti
In response to the crisis in Haiti, which has deepened in the wake of the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, we, the undersigned individuals and organizations, express our condolences and sympathy to all of the Haitian families that have lost a loved one to the...
Asia
Modern Slavery in the Philippines: A Closer Look
Despite significant progress in anti-trafficking efforts, modern slavery continues to impact an estimated 859,000 people in the Philippines. Vulnerable groups, including migrants, children, and women, face exploitation in forced labor, sex trafficking, online abuse, and hazardous industries. While the Philippines has retained Tier 1 status in the 2024 Trafficking in Persons Report, systemic challenges like corruption and insufficient victim screening hinder further advancements. This blog explores the forms of modern slavery affecting the country and outlines actionable steps to strengthen protections and support survivors.
Empowering Students to Combat Modern Slavery with Xavier University
Free the Slaves partnered with Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan’s National Service Training Program to educate over 110 students on modern slavery. Through workshops, students explored actionable solutions, such as leveraging social media and participating in local discussions, to fight human trafficking. This initiative highlights the pivotal role of youth in creating a world free from exploitation.
Community Safe Migration & Migrant Worker Protection Webinar
In September 2024, Free the Slaves and Verité hosted a webinar to share findings and lessons from the 19-month Fostering Fee Accountability and Cost Tracking (FFACT) Project, which tackled the complex issue of unsafe migration in South Asia. This event brought together 38 participants from India, Nepal, and Bangladesh to discuss solutions to safeguard migrant workers. The webinar also marked the first steps towards establishing a regional network for international migrants, set to launch in early 2025.
Africa
My Journey as a Survivor Leader
From surviving human trafficking to leading the fight against it, Bernadette Agano shares her powerful journey of transformation and advocacy. Through her work with Free the Slaves in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Bernadette has empowered fellow survivors, influenced policies, and helped build a national survivor network. Her story is a testament to resilience, solidarity, and the urgent need for action in the fight against modern slavery.
Leading with Purpose: My Journey of Empowerment
From surviving human trafficking to becoming a leader and advocate, Fauziah Wanjiru’s journey is one of resilience, transformation, and purpose. Through her work with Free the Slaves and the Survivor Network Kenya, Fauziah has amplified the voices of survivors, influenced national policies, and empowered others to reclaim their freedom. Her story is a powerful testament to the impact of survivor leadership in the fight against modern slavery.
My Journey of Empowerment: From Survivor to Leader
At Free the Slaves, we believe that survivors of modern slavery are not just part of the solution—they are the heart of it. When survivors are given the tools, support, and opportunities to lead, they can transform not only their own lives but also the lives of others.
Today, we’re sharing the story of Eileen Beryl Oginga, a survivor whose journey from victim to leader demonstrates the power of survivor-centered solutions. With courage, resilience, and the support of Free the Slaves, Eileen has become a champion for change, inspiring hope and action in the fight against modern slavery.