Build a Future for 40 Trafficked Children

This report which covers the period ranging from our last report to this date saw a number of adjustments and advancement in our efforts to advance our counter trafficking movement and facilitate sustainable rehabilitation of victims.

During the period being reported, staff, volunteers of GLOWA program participants reflections on ways to improve the program. The first adjustment was no renamed the center. The GLOWAHaus was chosen as the new name of our rehabilitation and stabilization center. This name was chosen based on the functions being assigned to the center.

The eleven (11) participants in the trafficking rehabilitation initiative and the microentrepreneurship project was trained on online marketing. This one-day training centered on taking appropriate pictures of items on sale and posting the online. They were also schooled on building online networks and introduced to working with influencers.

Another achievement of GLOWAHaus within the period under review was the acquisition of a new space. GLOWAHaus was transferred to a more spacious location. GLOWA Haus has continued to grow with the introduction of childcare into its recovery program. More than 80% of the participants on our recovery programs have babies. In order to facilitate the recovery of the moms and foster bonding with their babies, GLOWA introduced a child care section in GLOWAHaus. This section which is still being developed presently has a common sleeping space for the kids. Program participants take turns to look after the five toddlers in the childcare section. GLOWA is actively looking to toys and other play materials for the children.

During the quarter under review, GLOWA focused on supporting the sewing and embroidery training for its participants. Two main activities were on focus (i) the supply of training materials (ii) training in basic computer literacy.

We have provided training material (cloths, threads and other consumables for the training of our program participants. We are on course to graduating the fastest once by March 2023. We continue to count on your support for the success of the activity because they shall be entering the entrepreneurship phase of their empowerment and stabilization.

The program participants at the sewing center produced a number of children face mask which were distributed to some schools where GLOWA has scholars. They also actively took part in the Global hand Washing activities and World Toilet Days during which children were trained to regularly wash their hands and toilet (latrine) hygiene.

Participants have continued to participate in once a week basic computer training at GLOWA office. After graduation in March, those who will have credible business plans will integrate our FollowCare program for support with the development of their personal project. We count on your support

Thanks to you our very valued supporters, Sew-A-Future program has finally taken off. GLOWA baptized the training center GLOWAHaus. The journey of help 40 victims of trafficking develop marketable skills in sewing has finally began! Operating from a rented premises for the time being, GLOWAHaus has 11 rescued victims of child trafficking in rehabilitation. Being a new program, there is just much to organize. Lucky enough, GLOWA has been very lucky to secure the services of some local volunteers in Cameroon to try to lay the ground work for a case management protocol. We have also continued to create a data system for the program. During the last three months, we have also established the training guide for new participants to our program which include basic computer training and interactive activities to build capacity of our participants in public speaking. We hope to continue to implant the program within the next quarter while adjusting it for optimum performance. For this to be possible, we hope to continue to count on your generosity.

Thank you for your continued support on behalf of all of us at GLOWA! Your generosity to date has enabled us to make our Sew-A-Future program a reality and we will be opening our doors in a few short weeks! Sew-A-Future aims to help 40 victims of trafficking develop marketable skills in sewing so that they can enter the organized labor market to earn a living for themselves and their families.  With these skills and regular, legitimate employment these victims will no longer be at risk from the traffickers in Cameroon. 

It has been a wonderfully busy first quarter, your generosity has enabled us to rent a three room flat for our Sewing Center. We have been able to make modifications to the building to ensure its longevity, and purchase supplies which include: new manual sewing machines, an industrial embroidery machine, electric iron, table and chairs, pattern table, production table for sewing machines as well as pay for the associated shipping costs of two new Baby Lock sewing machines from the US to Cameroon. In addition to building out the physical requirements needed for the Sewing Center we have partnered with Turner Perry Consulting in the US who have worked to put together a very robust Introduction to Sewing module for our trainers and educators to utilize. We will continue to work with them into the future to add additional modules to our vocational programs. 

We are so thankful for your continued support! In order to open our doors to as many survivors as possible we continue to ask for your kindness and generosity in donating to our cause. With your help we can ensure all survivors are given the opportunity to embrace a bright future!

With thanks and warm wishes

-GLOWA Team

Thank you for your support on behalf of all of us at GLOWA! Your generosity to date has enabled us to kickstart our Sew-A-Future program which aims to help 40 victims of trafficking develop marketable skills in sewing so that they can enter the organised labour market to earn a living for them and their families. With these skills and a regular, legitimate employment these victims will no longer be at risk from the traffickers in Cameroon. 

Over the past few months we have been able to start sourcing equipment for the sewing school using the funds raised to date and also through in-kind donations. We have also been working hard to identify suitable trainers and on-line training programs so that we will have flexibility in the way we are able to deliver the training to the victims.  

We desperately need more funds to complete our wish list of equipment and to be able to start paying trainers to deliver the program. Any support is much appreciated - we have already identified victims from our referral pathways who are keen to complete the program as soon as possible so that they can start the important journey of rehabilitation and towards self sufficiency. 

With thanks and warm wishes

-GLOWA Team