Today is International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition. It is a day that is aimed at remembering slavery in its historical forms and an opportunity to bring awareness to its modern manifestations. Modern day slavery is a social injustice that occurs today all over the world and right here in the United States. Today we honor and remember those who are or have been victims of slavery.
In remembrance of the many human trafficking survivors we have been honored to help, we would love to share D’s story with you. (D’s real name is being concealed to protect her identity).
D’s Story
D is more than just a victim of human trafficking. She
is a survivor and a champion.
When D was only 7 years old when her mother and
three other siblings were abandoned by their father forcing them to move in
with their Grandmother. Soon after, D’s mother also passed away making matters much
more difficult. In 2014 D’s life would
change forever when she was attacked and raped, which led to her becoming
pregnant. Her grandmother also became sick and was taken to town to seek better
medical treatment. While her grandmother was away, D’s rapist found out she was pregnant and
decided to abduct D and traffic her far away from her village and home. He also
forced her, a minor, to be his bride and hid her from the outside world.
D was rescued on July 17th, 2015. Engage Now Africa (ENA), working
in partnership with Kyampisi Childcare Ministries (KCM), Freedom Now
International (FNI), Operation Underground Railroad (O.U.R.), and a Uganda
Criminal Intelligence & Investigation Directorate (CIID) officer along with
the full support of local Uganda law enforcement, organized a rescue after
receiving a tip about a sighting of D’s trafficker. After further investigation, the groups coordinated D’s rescue from her trafficker at his residence. Uganda law enforcement successfully
arrested the alleged trafficker. He is currently in custody facing criminal
charges of aggravated trafficking in accordance with Uganda’s Prevention of Trafficking
in Persons Act of 2009 as well as additional charges relating to kidnapping and
rape or defilement.
One female social worker from KCM involved in the
actual rescue personally knew
D and had spent the last year helping to try and find her. After realizing she recognized the social workers face
D became calm and then leaped into her arms overwhelmed with emotions, relieved
her captivity was now over.
Since D’s rescue she has been receiving
excellent medical and psychological support, care, and services to meet all her
needs. She is recovering in a safe house run and managed by KCM. KCM is a
local grassroots Ugandan NGO that specializes in assisting children that have been
the victim of trafficking and slavery. Financial support is being provided by ENA and O.U.R.
Additionally, on July 25th,
2015 D gave birth by C-section to a baby boy and they both are recovering and
doing very well. She and the baby have even been able to receive visits from
her grandmother and siblings while in recovery and she is so happy to be
reunited with her family again. KCM,
FNI, ENA and O.U.R. continue to work to ensure that D’s alleged trafficker
is prosecuted and that D and her baby continue getting the proper aftercare they
deserve. Psychological counselors and social workers continue to work with D and both D and the baby
are in good health. D expects to return to school next year
after her baby turns one.
HOW
YOU CAN HELP THIS GIRL AND OTHERS LIKE HER IN THEIR RECOVERY
You can help assist D and her baby in their recovery by making a
donation today to ENA. With your support ENA can continue to provide legal, medical,
psychological care and support to those like D. You can also provide assistance through the donation of in kind goods for her and her baby. We are currently seeking donations for certain items that they need.
They are as follows:
ITEMS NEEDED FOR THE BABY:
1. Baby clothes i.e. one piece out fits, shirts, pants, sweaters, hats and mittens, socks, booties , shoes and pajamas.
2. Diapers
3. Wipes
4. Changing pads
5. Baby carrier
6. Stroller
7. Car seat
8. Walker
9. Feeding bottles
10. Formula
11. Bottle brushes
12. Breast pump
13. Bowls
14. Baby spoons
15. Wearable blankets
16. Baby crib and mattress
17. Baby soothers
18. Toys and teething toys
19. Play mat
20. Baby- friendly laundry detergent
ITEMS NEEDED FOR D
1. Clothes size 10
2. Sweater
3. Shoes size 6
4. Showering gel
5. Nursing pads, Nursing bras size (38/85) and under garments
6. Baby bag
7. Suitcase
If you have items you would like to donate, please contact [email protected].
Please follow and share ENA’s social
media stories with your families
and friends! Visit our website here to learn more about ENA and our purpose to engage
and strengthen individuals, families, and communities to end poverty. Get more involved by educating yourself, raising awareness of human
trafficking and modern slavery in your community, and joining with us to end it
now!