Support survivors of child trafficking in Ethiopia

Hamda is a 13-year-old girl from Central Ethiopia. She lived with her parents and siblings and is the only daughter in the family. Her paternal aunt, who was very close to the family, had recently given birth and requested that Hamda come to Addis Ababa to help care for the newborn because she had no one else to support her. Although Hamda's younger brother, who had previously lived with the aunt, warned her not to go, Hamda's mother felt compassion for her sister-in-law and trusted her promise that Hamda would be enrolled in school. Based on this assurance, both Hamda and her parents agreed, and she moved to Addis Ababa.

After arriving, Hamda was not only responsible for caring for the baby but was also required to complete all household chores. At times, her aunt even sent her to a friend's house to clean. Although Hamda attended night school and performed well academically, she experienced severe physical and emotional abuse. Fearing for her safety, Hamda ran away from the house. A neighbor found her and took her to the police station, where she reported the abuse. The aunt was arrested, and Hamda was referred to Hope for Justice.

When Hamda arrived at the Lighthouse, her hands had visible burn injuries and she was in significant pain. Her immediate need was medical care, so she was taken to a clinic for treatment and received follow-up care from the Lighthouse nurse. She was then assigned a social worker and began receiving one-to-one psychosocial counseling. Although she maintained very limited eye contact during the sessions, she openly shared her experiences of abuse and expressed relief, saying, "I am very happy to be here."

As the criminal case proceeded, Hamda was accompanied by social workers to court, where she gave victim-witness testimony. During her stay at the Lighthouse, she received holistic care, including shelter, psychosocial support, medical care, education support, and case management. Initially, Hamda struggled to follow the Lighthouse rules, frequently violated regulations, and became involved in conflicts with other children. Through individual counseling, she received guidance on the Lighthouse's rules and regulations, emotional regulation, and effective communication skills to support her future relationships and personal development.

Following the completion of her final court testimony, the police granted permission for family reintegration. In the weeks that followed, Hamda became more open about the abuse she had endured, her physical injuries fully healed, and her emotional wellbeing improved. After careful assessment and preparation, she was safely reintegrated with her mother.