Children mobilization against Child Trafficking

Sketch illustrating Child trafficking

Child trafficking takes alarming proportions in Togo. It affects communities in the central and south-east area of the country: between 1997 and 1999 police forces had intercept 128 children at the Togolese borders, and between 2002 and 2003 one count 687 children forced into child trafficking.

Plan Togo with the aim of carrying out an effective fight against child trafficking organized from the 10th – 22nd may 2004 a workshop. Participants came from Benin, Guinea, Niger and Togo, in order to join their efforts to help the children fight effectively.

Why do these children leave their family?
Poverty, ignorance, children not attending school, the lack of a legal framing are the main factors which make children vulnerable. These children are generally brought to Aguegue (in Nigeria). They found themselves trapped, because Woga – rich traffickers – promise to them bicycles, clothes… others let themselves trap because their friends and brothers told them that the country is beautiful… “I failed to be forced into child trafficking, a few months ago. I had to fight with the children sent by a Woga to enrol me”, said a child.

Better Mobilizations
The work sessions were based on the Child to child approach and the Alternative to violence Program (AVP), to allow participants to acquire techniques of mediation and competences to mobilize the needed resources to fight effectively this plague. Through group’s exercises and role play all the participants understood that self assertion, good communication, listening capacity, sharing and collaboration are the key assets to be preached for a good work environment with children. “Children have incredible capacities, it is enough to give them the chance to be expressed and they will impress you”.

Children participating at a work cession