Where We Work
India
India has the largest concentration of slavery in the world today. Millions are in debt bondage, where loans illegally enslave laborers. Many others are trapped in brothels or as domestic servants. Free the Slaves helps villagers liberate themselves through collective community action. Entire communities move from passive acceptance of slavery to sustainable freedom. Learn more >
Ghana
Children are a nation’s most precious resource. But in Ghana children are exploited in pursuit of other resources: gold and fish. Free the Slaves helps educate Ghanaian parents about child rights to stop the flow of children into slavery at gold mines and on fishing boats. We’ve helped rescue kids from slavery and return them to their homes. Learn more >
Haiti
Impoverished Haitian families often feel they have no choice but to send children away to live elsewhere—comforted by assurances that their child will be better off working as a domestic servant. For many kids, the promises of good food and an education are never kept. Free the Slaves educates families about the risks and empowers parents to retrieve their children from slavery. Learn more >
Mauritania
We promote the rights of marginalized communities by catalyzing journalism as a tool for social progress, by establishing a legal assistance network for victims and the vulnerable, and by creating an international framework to exert global pressure on government officials. The goal is for officials with a duty to enforce Mauritania’s anti-slavery laws to held accountable. Learn more >
Senegal
Gold mining is a source of income and foreign exports for Senegal. But it also fuels sex slavery in mining communities. Our goals: reduce sex trafficking and increase social services to victims and the vulnerable. Learn more >
DR Congo
It’s the deadliest spot in the poorest continent on earth. Millions have died during the conflict between rebel militias and the national army. At stake: vast mineral wealth and control of slaves who work in the mines. Free the Slaves is strengthening the capacity of communities, civil society, the government, and international organizations to confront slavery. Learn more >
Vietnam
It’s one of the fastest developing economies in Asia. But urban poverty is rising among migrants, making women and children vulnerable to human trafficking and modern slavery. Learn more >
Kenya
One of Africa’s most dynamic economies is also home to widespread forced labor and sexual exploitation of children. Free the Slaves works with local organizations to provide training and survivor engagement. Learn more >
Philippines
Large sectors of the population are at extreme risk of human trafficking. Some are enslaved in rural farmlands. Others are trapped in slavery after migrating to cities. And others are tricked by traffickers when migrating overseas for work. Internet access has made things worse. Our program works to train and network local civil society groups into an effective anti-slavery movement. Learn more >
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is best known to many outsiders for its idyllic Caribbean beach resorts. But modern slavery hides below the surface. Learn more >
Middle East and North Africa
There are 20 countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA): Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates and Yemen; and modern slavery exists in different forms throughout the region. Learn more >
Nepal
It’s a perilous journey, traveling to strange cities and foreign lands to earn money to send back home. Many Nepalis take the risk because rural poverty is endemic and enslavement in villages is common. Too often the trip is a dead-end into slavery overseas. Free the Slaves educated Nepalis about migrating safely and helped them confront slavery on their doorsteps. Learn more >
Brazil
Traffickers target Brazilians forced to travel great distances to find work. Our partners helped liberate thousands by triggering government raids, providing shelter for survivors, helping punish traffickers, and holding corporations accountable. Free the Slaves empowered at-risk communities to resist slavery by standing up to powerful interests. Learn more >
