By Br. John Cornel Sulle OFMCap | Executive Director
QUARTERLY REPORT – FEBRUARY 2025
PROTECT THE KIDS FROM TRAFFICKERS
Project Number: #57986
CHILD TRAFFICKING PROBLEM
According to the United States Department of State (USDOS, 2009), Tanzania is a source, transit route, and destination for human trafficking. The report reveals that women and children are trafficked to South Africa, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, and Sweden for domestic servitude and sexual exploitation. Additionally, Indian women trafficked to Tanzania as entertainers in restaurants and nightclubs are often forced into prostitution. Other trafficked individuals in Tanzania come from Malawi, Burundi, Rwanda, Kenya, and Uganda (IOM, 2010b).
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reports that 97% of trafficking cases in Tanzania involve internal trafficking, primarily affecting young children. Among the victims, 74% are female. Girls are trafficked from Iringa, Morogoro, Singida, Dodoma, and Arusha to Dar Es Salaam and Zanzibar for domestic servitude. Upon arrival in these cities, they are often subjected to various forms of exploitation, including prostitution.
OUR SOLUTION
TAJPI is dedicated to protecting the rights, safety, and well-being of 15,000 vulnerable children aged 0–15 in the Arusha District. Our experience indicates that child trafficking often results from economic and social hardships that force parents into desperate situations. Financial struggles can lead families to give up their children or engage in risky childcare practices that make them vulnerable to traffickers.
As a leader in human rights protection for marginalized communities, TAJPI is taking proactive measures to address this challenge. We provide families with training and startup resources in high-demand trades to reduce their financial vulnerability. Additionally, we raise awareness about child trafficking through print media, including posters and leaflets, and educate parents about safe, legal alternatives for childcare.
PROJECT MILESTONE
With the small grant we received, our dedicated volunteers have worked tirelessly to advance this project. From November 2024 to February 2025, TAJPI successfully provided education and conducted visits to family members and orphanages. We raised awareness about the illegal trafficking of children—particularly from rural areas to cities and, ultimately, abroad—through various platforms, including church and mosque services.
Our team carried out door-to-door visits, witnessing firsthand the many challenges faced by children and their families. One particularly moving case during the Christmas season involved a three-year-old girl who went missing under distressing circumstances. Thanks to the efforts of village leaders, in collaboration with TAJPI, awareness was raised, leading to her recovery. She was found abandoned in a small bus traveling from Karatu to Arusha.
Following this incident, we engaged with transport operators on the Karatu-Arusha route, urging them to remain vigilant when passengers travel with children. We emphasized the importance of verifying the child’s relationship with the accompanying adult and, when necessary, speaking directly with the child to confirm their safety. This case deeply moved fellow passengers and provided TAJPI with an opportunity to educate them about domestic child trafficking. Alarmingly, some young children continue to be trafficked for harmful practices, including ritual sacrifices in mining areas due to superstitious beliefs about wealth acquisition.
Our organization leveraged its well-established network and resources to locate the missing child. To ensure justice and prevent further incidents, we provided the relevant authorities with information about the perpetrators for legal action.
WAY FORWARD
The success of this project depends on securing adequate funding. Expertise from legal and social welfare professionals is essential to navigate the complexities of trafficking cases. Furthermore, due to the involvement of individuals in influential positions, we face challenges in publicly sharing victim images. We hope that supporters from around the world who are committed to protecting vulnerable children will continue to provide financial assistance to help us achieve our mission.
FUNDRAISING APPEAL
Every child deserves a safe and secure childhood, free from the horrors of exploitation and trafficking. Unfortunately, millions of children fall victim to trafficking each year—torn from their families, robbed of their innocence, and subjected to unimaginable suffering. But together, we can make a difference.
Our mission is to protect vulnerable children, rescue those at risk, and empower survivors through awareness, prevention programs, and critical support services. However, we cannot do this alone.
Every second counts. Every child matters. Join us in the fight against child trafficking and help us create a safer world for all children.
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By Br. John Cornel Sulle OFMCap | Executive Director
By OMAR MSONGA | PROGRAM MANAGER
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