Trafficked to Gabon
Falling into the hands of the dark world of human trafficking
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Hélène is just 14 years, but she has lived through horror no child should ever know. Growing up in a remote community in Benin, she dropped out of school and did daily chores around the house. But her family was eager to help her find a better future, so they were vulnerable to the lies they were told by traffickers
My parents were told that I am going to study in Gabon
I never went to school in Gabon, I was beaten and sick and I never got medical help or enough food to eat.
Hélène fell into the hands of the dark world of human trafficking in the region. Instead of being taken to Gabon to study, she endured a full month in captivity while travelling to Gabon and was placed with a family where she was expected to cook and clean.
Despite these horrific abuses, Hélène was lucky to be rescued by the police and taken to a UNICEF supported children's centre in Libreville where she got support, including psychosocial care and help to get back home in Benin. Authorities in the region recognize that trafficking is a major problem and that children and families continue to get tricked by the false promises made by human traffickers. But the underground nature of trafficking makes it very challenging to trace and protect children like Hélène.
After a short time at the centre, Hélène was given a ticket back to Benin reuniting her with her family. A glimpse of hope for her and for many children caught up in this tragic story of African migration.
