June 2016
In This Issue: Thank you Rotary! Senyo Update
Right To Be Free is grateful for the support of several Rotary Clubs in Rotary District 6440: Evanston Lighthouse, Northbrook, andWinnetka-Northfield. These clubs exemplify the Rotary mission to make a difference in the lives of others in need. The Rotary is a global network of compassionate individuals who use their passion to support social causes and transform lives in local communities in every corner of the world. Rotarians are the epitome of service and through their support of other non-profits, like RTBF, they extend their philanthropic reach to help countless individuals. RTBF is honored to be the recipient of their generosity.
Jill Narens (right), President of the Rotary Club of Northbrook, presents a check to Lori Dillon of RTBF/USA.
Senyo's Message of Thanks
Since Senyo's rescue in 2014, we have shared his heart breaking story about his life as a trafficked child and the crippling injury he sustained while working on Lake Volta. Thanks to our compassionate and generous donors, we were able to fund the life saving spine reconstruction surgery he needed at FOCOS Hospital and Senyo has been progressing very well.
After his surgery, Senyo has been living at an orthopedic and rehabilitation center with other children and receives ongoing physical therapy. He continues to visit FOCOS Hospital at least monthly for check ups to monitor his progress and they report he is recovering well.
Left: Senyo after he was rescued, before surgery. Right: Senyo, post surgery, at the orthopedic and rehabilitation center.
RTBF visits Senyo monthly and we have observed a tremendous improvement, both physically and academically. In addition to working with physical therapists and social workers, Senyo has been working with teachers to learn math, reading and English to help prepare him for school this fall. Senyo is now able to take care of his personal hygiene and other tasks, and he loves to read and listen to music.
During our last visit, Senyo proudly demonstrated the various activities he is engaged in, including physical therapy exercises as well as his literacy and math skills.
Senyo reads to Eric Peasah and shares what he is learning from his teachers.
After Senyo was rescued, a reunion was organized by RTBF and Lincoln Community School in Accra, with his two older brothers, Yao and Kafu (who were also rescued by RTBF) and their grandmother, aunt and uncle. Senyo's father is deceased and his mother is mentally ill and unable to care for her children. The boys were living with their grandmother who struggled to care for them and subsequently trafficked them to fishermen.
Eight months after Senyo's successful surgery, RTBF arranged for another visit with his grandmother, aunt and uncle last month. At first Senyo refused to recognize them and did not want to see his relatives. After meeting with a social worker for 40 minutes, Senyo agreed to meet with them, but the pain in his eyes was evident. He first engaged with his uncle but still refrained from talking to his grandmother and aunt. The group later moved to a garden behind the Center and Senyo sat close to his relatives and the visit lasted a few hours.
Senyo still struggles to cope with a sense of abandonment. He believes his family neglected him and they do not regret trafficking him years ago. Like other trafficked children, Senyo does not understand the financial circumstances that contribute to trafficking. Trafficked children believe they were no longer wanted or liked by their families and those feelings of abandonment haunt them as they work on Lake Volta, suffering physical and emotional abuse from their masters, and even after their rescue. Senyo's relatives, witnessing his deep emotional pain, promised to visit him monthly. We are optimistic that these future visits, assisted by the social worker, will help Senyo continue to heal and recover.
Senyo said "I sometimes miss my family, especially my two brothers, and I wish to see them more often, and to have fun with them." Since he has made such great progress in his recovery, RTBF has arranged for Senyo to spend three months this summer with Yau and Kafu at their shelter.
Senyo shows his bed with a large pile of books, reflecting his love for reading.
Senyo said " I am most grateful to Mr. Eric and my friends outside of Ghana because through them, I am able to walk again and I know with their help, I will also start school very soon like the other children in the shelter." The Principal of the shelter said "I feel so happy when I see Senyo doing certain things he could not do when he came here, such as making his bed, bathing himself, reading all by himself, oooh, it is great." Gloria, a social worker said "I observe Senyo for quite a long time and I see some leadership qualities in him, he speaks like an adult, although he is a child. He is trustful, his "yes" is yes and his "no" is no. I feel that one day Senyo will lead a nation, not a city, not a country but a nation and his life story, oh my God, will serve as a testimony to other children."
Senyo's remarkable story is the same for every trafficked child. They long for the love and support of their families and dream of the day they will be free. We invite you to join our team and support our efforts to fight and prevent human trafficking and to rescue more enslaved children like Senyo, who is healthy and free to pursue unlimited opportunities. The demands on our resources continue to exceed our funding. We are grateful for any donation of any size. No amount is too small when invested in the life of a child. Because every child has the Right To Be Free.
All operating costs are funded internally, so 100% of every donation directly supports trafficked children.
You can support RTBF when you shop online. Amazon’s Smile Foundation will donate .05% of your purchases to Right To Be Free. Your account is exactly the same on Amazon and AmazonSmile and your shopping activity remains private. Click AmazonSmile's link to shop for the benefit of RTBF and in the future, shop at Smileamazon.com (instead of Amazon.com) and your Amazon purchases will help transform a child’s life! It's quick and easy!
