October 2015
In This Issue: Rescue Mission - Gold Mine & Cocoa Industry Senyo's Surgery Update
Artwork for Advocacy
WBEZ Worldview
Shop for Cause
Gold Mine and Cocoa Farm Rescue
Eric Peasah was one of the lead coordinators of a recent rescue mission of children working in gold minesand cocoa farms in Tarkwa, Ghana. The mission was funded and collaborated with Interpol France (Lyon), Interpol Ghana, the Anti-Trafficking Unit of the Ghana Police Service, the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, the International Organization for Migration, and Right To Be Free. Eric helped lead the training of 127 law enforcement officials for the operation, nicknamed "Operation AKOMA." (Akoma means "heart" in Ghana.) The entire operation lasted five days; two days for training, two days for rescue operations and one day for debriefing. Eric was one of the leaders for the gold mining team. Accompanied by armed policemen and a commander, Eric helped the officials identify children who were trafficked and working in the mine pits.
Left: The gold mining industry is extremely dangerous. Workers, including children, are exposed to mercury, cyanide and toxic gases. Right: Eric (black t-shirt) and Interpol interview a young woman who said she was working in the mine to earn money for school.
Left: Eric interviews two young boys working in the gold mines. Right: A Ghana police officer watches over a nine year old boy, the youngest child that was rescued.
Left: The child laborers slept in a hut covered with plastic for protection from the rain and insects. Right: Four gold mines were raided in the rescue operation.
Left: Two young boys were rescued from a cocoa farm. Children work long hours and typically perform the same hazardous and strenuous tasks as adults. Tasks include using machetes (large sharp knives) to clear forests and cut down cocoa pods, carrying heavy loads, and applying toxic pesticides and fertilizers. Right: The rescued children have some fun with Eric at a transit house.
Senyo's Surgery Update
Thanks to the generosity of our supporters who made donations for Senyo's spine reconstruction surgery and FOCOS, who also solicited donations on his behalf, adequate funding has been secured to finance Senyo's surgery!
After numerous trips to FOCOS Hospital in Accra, Ghana, to treat his spinal tuberculosis, Senyo is cured of spinal TB. He was recently admitted to FOCOS Hospital for pre-surgery preparation. Since he weighs only 50 lbs (22 kilos) at the age of 12, he was placed on a nutrition program to help him gain weight before surgery.
Senyo was fitted with a halo traction device as part of the pre-surgery process to reduce the severe deformity of his spine. Over the next eight to ten weeks, the traction device will progressively reduce the curvature of his spine, lowering the risks associated with spine deformity surgery. More updates about his progress will be provided in future newsletters.
Artwork for Advocacy
RTBF and Lincoln Community School's RTBF student club hosted an art workshop with rescued children. Each club member partnered with a rescued child while local artists provided guidance to the young participants as they collaborated painted messages of freedom. We look forward to sharing their beautiful artwork in our next newsletter.
The children proudly hold up their colorful paintings and their hands to promote the 5 for Freedom campaign. The club helped launch our campaign earlier this year. If you are interested in starting a RTBF Club, please send a message to info@righttobefree.org.
WBEZ Worldview
WBEZ Worldview host Jerome McDonnell interviewed Eric and Lori Dillon for their Global Activism series. RTBF is grateful to WBEZ for their continued support of our educational outreach.
Shop for a Cause - Artisans of Ghana
Artisans of Ghana works directly with a group of artisans, seamstresses and skilled craftspeople who create colorful products such as backpacks, totes, greeting cards, messenger bags, and iPad/e-reader covers. They are paid fair wages and work in safe, clean conditions. All purchases help provide much-needed income to individuals and small businesses. Artisans of Ghana will donate 15% of each purchase (with coupon code RTBF15) to Right To Be Free (expires November 30, 2015).
Right To Be Free's work is only possible because of the support of our donors. Since all operating costs are funded internally, 100% of every donation directly serves trafficked children who endure the worst form of child labor. We hope you will continue to support our lifesaving work so we can continue to meet the urgent needs of these underserved children. Thank you for your generosity and for sharing our belief that every child has the Right To Be Free.
AmazonSmile is an easy way for you to support Right To Be Free every time you shop, at no cost to you. Amazon's foundation will donate a portion of your purchase to Right To Be Free whenever you shop on AmazonSmile. It's the same Amazon you know - same products, same prices, same service; but now your purchases can help save a child's life. You use the same account on Amazon.com and AmazonSmile. Your shopping cart, Wish List, and other account settings remain the same. Please make Right To Be Free's AmazonSmileyour link for Amazon shopping, so every time you place an order, you will be helping an enslaved child.
