“Stop Human Trafficking.  We can all do something”.

For more information, please contact:
haart.kenya@gmail.com
malinpol@yahoo.co.uk

The “Awareness Against Human Trafficking” HAART Team initiated this process. Participants represented Nairobi, SOLWODI - “Solidarity with Women in Distress” Mombasa, Bungoma, Machakos and Eldoret. It brought together both Christians and non Christians who share a common concern at the increase of the issue.

The programme was aimed at providing a background to Human Trafficking especially “What it is” and “What it is not”? Legislation in this area was integrated into the process. Human Trafficking was first seen in a global focus followed by variations found in Africa and what is actually happening in Kenya today. 

In Kenya, the problem is focussed mainly on sexual exploitation, forced labour - young girls as house maids and boys as cattle herders - together with the sale of sexual organs for witchcraft. 

The group were offered facts and information in order to prepare awareness campaigns of their own. This included a CD of the all the printed matter used together with a DVD called “Wanjiku” which has been made locally and illustrates how human trafficking is happening to young women.

The participants were grouped according to areas; these would be their base teams whose progress will be monitored and support provided. “The Pastoral or Learning Circle” was used as tool for collecting information at all levels, listening, seeing, reflecting and evaluating on an actual problem. They were also given training in presentation for the Workshops together with how to gather information which is also necessary. 
Lack of information in this area is a challenge to its eradication. Networking is a vital issue throughout Kenya and beyond if we are to effect a change in this area. It challenges us all to remember “We are all made in God's image” and deserve to be respected and given our human rights.

“Awareness Against Human Trafficking”
Haart Team, Kenya

Participants at the workshop

CIMADE: solidarity with migrants, refugees and asylum seekers

CIMADE is an association of active solidarity with migrants, refugees and asylum seekers.

Morocco is green; the rain almost never stopped! What a change from Algiers! Even if the streets are full of foreigners, we were invited to work and not for tourism!

We were all concerned about migration from near and far...especially from near! The GAD of Morocco welcomed us.  This is a gathering of Moroccan associations fighting for the rights of migrants. CIMADE, coming from France organized the meeting between advocacy movements and field workers like myself on behalf of R & D where I work. I remain discreet about our names.  Our actions, even if desired by the people, are certainly feared by the signatories of the Conventions which they do not implement.  Are they feared? A big word perhaps.  Anyway, they do not like what we do and sometimes they let us know.

So I will not give a big report of our discussions. Discretion is the mother of safety and security! However, I can not keep silent about what I experienced as a blessing! There I found again the activism that I believed in before entering the congregation--actions that had led me to question myself before God about my deep commitment to make sense of it all and then to get involved with him and with the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa, and with Africa! I feel very aware! And, that is since the July 2009 meeting of Justice Peace & Integrity of Creation held in Bamako.
A nonsense-Treaty! It concerns the life of men and women who cross land, sand, and sea, from south to north, then are turned back from north to south! Subject to all human trafficking thinkable and imaginable (to see so much unimaginable horror at that rendezvous!) Of politico-economic dealings, barbaric sexual gratifications! Men and women who have been robbed both of their land and any hope to live with dignity in their country; people who see no future development at home as long as the game of the rich and powerful is being played! People of all living conditions and from all socio-economic backgrounds, thrown on the roads of creativity, caring for themselves at the risk of living! or dying!

Give them a voice, a face! -- Surely one of our most clear conclusions. The World Social Forum in Dakar will be making this speech.  It will mobilize us for the months to come!
Plead with them to respect human rights. Reveal to the world the inconsistencies of States regarding their migration policies (and others ...) and the manipulation of the peoples of both north and south. Wake up the families who send their children to death in search of their dreams.

And let us remember the One who walked the roads of Samaria, and Palestine, who came to denounce the hypocrisy of the Mighty; the parable of the prodigal son which is told to us so often. There are sons who leave home with their father's riches, only to return disappointed, dejected, victims of unscrupulous bosses; exploited workers, slaves who only have the leftovers of animals to eat... Did not the father lovingly welcome home his son, his only real treasure?
These human gestures are found in every religion, in every philosophy.

When will Africa find again her sons and daughters? When will the world find peaceful borders and open arms?  This kind of world could be possible if we really wanted it.

Thank you to everyone who helped me to live these wonderful moments. Thank you to Jan.

Laurence