A Journey of Hope Against Human Trafficking

By Sr. Justine Akampamya

This year’s theme for International Day of Prayer and Awareness against Human Trafficking was PEACE BEGINS WITH DIGNITY. Indeed, without dignity accorded to every individual, there is no peace. I was glad to participate partly in the prayer against human trafficking in Rome. I was touched by the engagement of the youth from different continents working towards the prevention of human trafficking through networking and education for young people.

Part of the prayer was what was termed as “a Walk for Humanity.”

Here, the participants had a guided tour to the Colosseum, and a link between current and ancient human suffering through slavery was made. All along this journey, the personal invitation was on how each one can make a contribution to protect life.

During the vigil prayer, a survivor gave a witness about her long journey from Darfur, fleeing for her life and risking being snatched by traffickers, searching for ways to reunite with her mother who had fled to Italy some years back. Personally, I was glad to meet her because our community in Chad had made a great contribution in assuring a safe space for her. Arriving in N’Djamena, the capital of Chad, not knowing anybody, she ended up living with a person she did not know. It was only when Talitakum in Rome informed us about this girl that we became aware of her situation. We hosted her for almost two years, trying in every way with the organizations for refugees to get her an identity. It was a long journey of frustration and hope until God opened the door and she could reunite with her mother in Italy.

Her journey and the journeys of other survivors reflect the fruits of working in collaboration with different external bodies that help in freeing those who are trapped in this slavery. Human trafficking is an overwhelming reality that strips humanity of its dignity, and it should come to an end.