Child Safe Guarding

We advocate for better protection of children who live and work on the streets – especially those facing trafficking for forced begging and child labour.

In line with its vision of “A world in which child exploitation; human trafficking; and slavery is eliminated and human dignity restored,” Trace Kenya continues to work hand in hand with government departments and institutions, Organizations, Civil Society communities and development partners to ensure that an enabling environment free from exploitation becomes a reality. We have enhanced the prosecution of perpetrators in partnership with government institutions to ensure the timely delivery of justice to cases involving children. We are grateful to all donors and partners who have heeded our call to ensure children's rights are protected.

Macmillan Ochieng, Program Coordinator

Projects

Court Users Committee (CUC)

Our mutual working relationship with the legal and judicial system in Kilifi, Mombasa and Kwale Counties, through the Court Users Committee, saw Trace Kenya nominated into the Shanzu Law Courts and Tononoka Children’s Court.

Milestones

  • We attended the respective quarterly meetings to build the capacity of the Committee and other stakeholders to promote a Child-Friendly Justice System to help prosecute potential cases of Child Trafficking (CT) and Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC).
  • We took part in other CUC activities such as open days, trainings and dialogues on alternative justice systems that the public can pursue to help reduce case load in the courts.
  • Through this partnership, we rescued and reunited children, women and youth with their families while adhering to the government requirements of social protection.
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The Generosity of Girls Fund (TGGF)

This initiative continues to benefit many school-going girls aged between 9 – 13 years, who are victims of sexual exploitation in Mombasa, not forgetting their parents. We continue to empower and build their confidence, and also equip them with knowledge in Feminism, Gender-Based Violence, Hygiene, HIV and Aids, Finance Literacy, Communication skills, Decision-making, Leadership, Self-esteem, Discipline, goal setting and Drug and substance abuse. The mentors engage with them through club meetings, training, education and career talks, football game activities and mentorship. Parental guidance meetings help parents bond with their children as they get to understand the challenges they face in their daily lives, and what they are gaining through mentorship. In 2018, Trace Kenya identified 24 girls aged between 13-18 years who were victims of sexual exploitation. They started mentoring them, giving them hope for a better future, and have not relented. In 2022 Trace Kenya in partnership with Equality Now supported this batch to form a Community Based Organisation (CBO) known as Smart Youth Programme. They now give back to their home communities of Ziwa la Ng’ombe and Bombolulu, by mentoring boys and girls through football and sports for development, which equips them with vital life skills such as accountability, confidence, leadership, teamwork and the impact of positive sportsmanship. Aside from this, it enables them to identify ground rules as part of creating safe spaces for learning and interacting with each other. Within the same year, the CBO identified and recruited 25 girls aged between 9-13 years from Bombolulu, who are susceptible to exploitation.

Milestones

  • 25 girls were mentored and sensitized on the prevention of child sexual exploitation and abuse.
  • Safe spaces were provided for girls to share their challenges and get timely assistance
  • Enhanced girls’ knowledge of children's rights, freedoms, and personal and reproductive hygiene was enhanced.

Case Story

Grace Okoth was rescued from possible sexual exploitation when she dropped out of college due to a lack of fees. She was mentored, given psychosocial support and equipped with skills to better her day to day life. She says: “I yearned to go back and finish my studies. TGGF gave me a second chance and now I have a Diploma in Graphic Design. She continued volunteering at the organization and is now the Project Officer in the same project which rescued and mentored her to be a strong, independent woman. Among other beneficiaries of the TGGF project is Jackline Kioko who is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Procurement and human Supply Chain Management at the Africa Nazarene University.
“This project has shaped my life; I cannot go back to being the person I was before joining. None can exploit me because I know my rights, I know who I am and I know how I can prevent myself from such cases.” Grace, Beneficiary
   
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Children’s Rights and Violence Prevention Fund (CRVPF)

Our knowledge of child rights has helped protect several children in Kilifi County against varied forms of violence. Through CRVPF, community members who are our key partners, have been sensitized on Violence Against Children and now know where and how to report cases that arise. Safe school environments and safe spaces are vital for school-going children and out-of-school adolescents respectively. They alleviate factors that expose them to violence and build their resilience. In partnership with Mwangaza CDF, we continue to champion the Advancing Violence-Free Environments for Children and Adolescents (AVECA) in schools and the community of Junju Location in Kilifi County. Our target is to train 300 children to become champions in the fight against VAC.

Milestone

  • Held mobilization meetings for community leaders and Community Health Volunteers;
  • Had training sessions for School mentors on safe spaces, management, qualities of good leaders and CRVPF Life Skills Modules;
  • Had mentorship Learning and reflection sessions for adolescents
  • Continued training youth on the concept of safe spaces.

Case Story

Anwar Kalume, an out-of-school adolescent, lives in a community where ingrained use of drugs and substance abuse is the order of the day among youth. Young ladies are drawn into prostitution, while young men become thieves and drug addicts. In his crusade against drug and substance abuse, Kalume says: “I realized that there no safe spaces for young people to share what they were going through in life, and this leads them to make decisions that impact their lives negatively. Their parents and the community do not mentor them, they are only punitive or abusive, hence they learn from life experiences or through their peers.” Kalume believes that the safe spaces have provided the youth with life skills and a change of perspective about their lives and how to tackle daily challenges. As a youth mentor, he has not only one group in Junju Community but over 5 groups within his locality. He says:
“I have become a recognized and appreciated agent of change in my community.”
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Africa Born in My Heart Project

We actively support vulnerable children pursue their education through this initiative funded by Equality Now. This has seen a reduction in the number of children abused and exploited at a tender age. The scholarship project has so far supported 8 children through primary, secondary and technical institutions, helping them bridge the gap in their career journey.
“Due to financial difficulties, I could not continue my studies and had to stay at home for an extended period of time. My stepfather said he couldn’t pay for a child that wasn’t his” - Fatma Vincent, Beneficiary

Case Story

Mulhath Juma completed class eight at Tumaini Primary School and excelled. She was ecstatic at the thought of joining Form One, but unfortunately, when she approached her father with the good news, he said, “I have no money to waste on a girl’s education, you must agree to get married”. She engaged in menial domestic work like washing clothes and fetching water for her neighbour as a source of income. She says,
“I bought books and household necessities. I was unable to pay my school fees, and as a result, I had to study without taking any exams. One of my teachers told my mom that there are people who assist the children in their education. That’s how I met Eric, who connected me to trace Kenya.”.
Mulhath is a beneficiary of the Africa Born in My Heart Project, which has ensured she continues to pursue her education.
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Intercept Project

We continue to intercept potential victims (women, youth and children) of trafficking along the transit points of Mombasa, which has been identified as a key source, transit point and destination for migrants. The project team of two field monitors and one shelter manager who doubles up as a field monitor work closely with key informants within the transport corridors.

Milestones

  • Intercepted 113 potential victims of trafficking – 62 women, 47 children and 4 men.
  • Prosecuted one case to its conclusion in partnership with Okoa Sasa and Love Justice Kenya. The perpetrator was found guilty of trafficking and defilement and convicted to 20 years at Shimo La Tewa Maximum Prison.
  • Intercepted over 100 potential victims of trafficking in transit
  • Repatriated over 70 potential victims, reuniting them with their families. We continue to follow up on their welfare.
  • Enrolled one victim to a technical institution for life skill studies.
  • Created awareness within the bus station in Mombasa and as a result received 10 referrals from the transport stakeholders.
  • Protected over 40 children from varied forms of exploitation
 

Case Story

Cynthia was 15 years old when she came to Nairobi from her parent’s home in Uganda. Upon arrival at her aunt’s place, she met a man who assured her of a job in Mombasa with good pay. She says,
“I left with this man to Mombasa; I didn’t even tell my aunt where I was going because I thought Mombasa was just nearby and I would return in the evening.”
The job was an illusion. Cynthia became Musa’s prisoner as he would lock her up in the house when he left for work. She was threatened and sexually abused before she was able to run away.
“As I wandered in the street, I met a staff of Trace Kenya, who took me to the hospital for tests, then to the police station to record a statement, and finally to the shelter.
The case was launched at Tononoka Children’s Court for trafficking and defilement. Musa was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment. Cynthia is now 18 years old and is currently undertaking a dress-making life skill course. Melissa hails from Samburu, located near the coast region of Kenya. The 16-year-old ran away from home to escape retrogressive traditional and cultural practices because her father wanted to marry her off against her wish.
"I hiked a truck along the busy Mombasa/Nairobi highway after managing to convince the driver that I was headed to Mombasa to visit a relative.”
She got stranded upon arrival but a good Samaritan spotted her; an officer from Trace Kenya who promised to assist her. After recording a statement at the Mvita Sub-County Children’s Department,
“I was placed under Trace Kenya Shelter, where I received psychosocial support and security as the Directorate of Children’s Services sought an opportunity for me to further my education."
Melissa is currently pursuing a course at a Catholic boarding institution in Samburu and Trace Kenya are paying her fees.  
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We have supported more than 900 children and over 700 men and women who have been victims of child trafficking and forced labor
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Trace Kenya has supported more than 900 children to enjoy education after rescue from child trafficking. Over 700 young men and women in slavery have benefited from Trace Kenya work. 
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Trace Kenya, Mtwapa Pride Apartments Suite 18 no.4
P.O. Box 34287-80118, Kilifi, Kenya
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