Bala Djamanca

In Guinea-Bissau, the issue of child trafficking, abuse and exploitation of talibés children, is a key concern since 2005. Bissau-Guinean talibés children (predominately, but not exclusively boys) migrate to neighbouring countries, most often to Senegal.

From 2007 to 2009, it was estimated (according to Bissau-Guinean border police forces and CSOs reports) that around 200 talibés children were on the move across the borders every month, particularly the very porous border between Guinea Bissau and Senegal. According to the National Committee on prevention of Trafficking of Human Beings, CSOs and border police reports, around 2,000 talibés children, victims of exploitation and abuse, were referred to child protection services from 2011 to date.

Bala Djamanca (13 years old) was sent to a Daara (Koranic school) in Senegal, where he has faced all forms of exploitation and abuse, including forced begging. He is now happy to be back home and proudly holds a birth certificate. He is smiling because he can now have easy access to basic social services.

Bala benefited from a joint initiative that is been implemented by the Ministry of Justice and the social services from the Ministry of Woman, Family and Social Solidarity, to ensure that all talibes children victims of abuse and exploitation have access to a birth certificate during their process of family and community reintegration in Guinea-Bissau. So far, 160 children have been supported within the reintegration programme, and benefited from this important right to a name thanks to the Peace Building Fund Project.

Bala currently lives with the grandmother Cadi Balde, in the village of Welingara, Gabu region, east Guinea-Bissau. Welingara means in Fula (if it’s good, you come, if it is bad, you go).

After his return from Senegal Bala was reunited with his family, towards the end of 2016. He returned under a joint Guinea-Bissau/Senegal repatriation initiative programme.

Bala currently attends the 3rd grade at the local School in Welingara, which has around 40 students.

His teacher, Ari Cande, confidently says that Bala is a good student. He reiterates that reading is one of his favourite activities at school.

“On my free time, I like to listen to the radio. It keeps me aware about what is going on, and can also listen to nice music”

Happily shared Bala.

Along with his elder relatives, he also participates in the works at home and in their small plantation.

“I am very happy to be back home. Now, I really believe that my dream of becoming a famous soccer player can come true”

Concluded Bala.