In June alone:

• 240 (136M: 104F) people trained in modern slavery and human trafficking topics as part of our community-based work. 
• 79 boys (both potential and actual victims of trafficking) were reached through outreach work. 
• 30 (1M: 29F) children were referred to our Lighthouse. 
• 83 (40M: 43F) children accessed safe shelter and trauma-informed services in the lighthouses. 
• 19 girls received support to access justice. 
• 25 (6M: 19F) children who were reintegrated with their families. 
• 75 (50M: 25F) children are in the reintegration follow-up process. 

Hope for Justice also began expanding its prevention work into new communities, laying the groundwork to reach even more children before exploitation can occur.  

Behind every one of these numbers is a child with a story. 

One of those stories belongs to a young girl we'll call Kiya. 

How the Exploitation Began

When Kiya was just seven years old, her family was struggling with extreme poverty. Someone promised them she would have a better life. 

Instead, she was trafficked into domestic servitude. 

For seven years, Kiya was forced to cook, clean, and serve without pay. During that time, she endured physical abuse, emotional abuse, and sexual exploitation.

Finding Her Voice

Despite everything she experienced, Kiya never lost hope. 

While attending school, she learned about reproductive health and found the courage to tell classmates what had happened to her. Her teachers alerted authorities, and  Kiya was brought to Hope for Justice’s safe house, where she began  receiving trauma-informed care, counseling, medical attention and the support she needed to heal. 

Little by little, she began to smile again. 

She built confidence. 

She learned that what happened to her did not define her future. 

Most importantly, she began believing that her voice mattered.

A Nine-Hour Journey Toward Justice

Recently, Kiya took another courageous step. 

She returned to court to testify against the man accused of trafficking and abusing her. 

She wasn't alone. 

Her pregnant sister traveled nine hours to stand beside her during the hearing. 

That journey became a powerful reminder that healing is rarely walked alone. 

Together, they stood in court seeking justice; not only for Kiya, but for every child who deserves to live free from exploitation.  

She learned that what happened to her did not define her future. 

Most importantly, she began believing that her voice mattered.

Hope That Continues

Today, Kiya is back in school, safely reunited with her family, and continuing to rebuild her future while our local partner advocates alongside her throughout the legal process.  

Her story reminds us that healing doesn't end when the immediate danger is over. 

Healing is finding your voice again. 

It's rediscovering hope. 

It's knowing someone is walking beside you every step of the way.

Because of Your Support 

Stories like Kiya's are possible because compassionate people choose to walk alongside children on their journey toward healing and justice. 

Through our partnership with Hope for Justice, your generosity helps provide safe shelter, trauma-informed care, legal advocacy, family reintegration, and long-term support for children as they rebuild their futures. It also helps expand prevention efforts into new communities, reaching children before exploitation has the chance to take hold.  

Every child deserves the opportunity to reclaim their future. 

Thank you for helping make stories like Kiya's possible.