Since his rescue last August with four other children, Kojo (12) is doing very well. His rescue by Eric Peasah, Executive Director of RTBF/Africa, and law enforcement officials, was featured in a video and last October's newsletter.
Kojo receives a toy from Eric on the rescue boat.
Kojo, the oldest of five children, comes from Agbozume in the Volta region of Ghana. His father, Selasie, is a Kente weaver and farmer. Since the family struggled on his small income, he agreed to have Kojo work for a family friend after school, to help provide good care for Kojo and his siblings.
Kojo worked for the family friend, a fisherman, on Lake Volta. He was supposed to work after school, but his fishing obligations began to encroach on his school hours. Kojo enjoyed going to school, but he was often truant due to his fishing responsibilities. Eventually, the family friend (his master) forced him to drop out of third grade because he was unable to perform his work.
Kojo said he began his work before the sun rose, at 4 am in the morning, and worked until 10 am. He returned to the lake around noon and worked until 6 pm. Not only was the work difficult and dangerous, Kojo said he was beaten for being “lazy”, asking for food when he was hungry, and wanting to play with the other children in the community. When he was not working on the lake, he was helping his master mend the fishing nets and also weaving cloth to sell in the market.
Kojo working on Lake Volta.
Last August, during RTBF’s rescue and human trafficking awareness mission, law enforcement officials spotted Kojo working with his master along the islands scattered throughout Lake Volta. Kojo was rescued and his master was apprehended.
Kojo was screened and transported to the Rehabilitation Center in Accra where he received psycho-social counseling to help him overcome the trauma he endured, medical screening and treatment; and basic lessons in numeracy, English and writing to help him transition back to school.
During Kojo’s rehabilitation, RTBF located his family and conducted a home assessment to ascertain if a reunification was appropriate. The parents were educated on child trafficking and child labor and informed of the abuse Kojo suffered at the hands of their family “friend” and how he was forced to drop out of school. We also conducted an analysis to identify possible support for the parents to enable them to provide for their children as well as an evaluation of the schools in the community for Kojo’s possible placement. As a result of these assessments, the family was registered in the National Health Insurance program to provide them with free medical care so the family has the basic necessities of food, shelter and healthcare.
Left: Yvonne (center, RTBF Admin. Asst.), meets with Kojo's parents to conduct a family assessment. Right: Kojo's family home.
After the various assessments were satisfactorily completed, Kojo was reunited with his family last October and his reintegration commenced. He was placed in his former Avetikofe primary school.
Kojo is reunited with his parents (seated) at RTBF's office in Accra.
Left: Kojo receives his school uniform. Right: Kojo beams when given a new soccer ball and shoes from RTBF.
We continue to monitor Kojo at home and in school on a quarterly basis. Officers at the Naval Base in Torkor also monitor the family every two weeks and provide RTBF with feedback. The Naval officers and the Ghana Immigration officer located in Kpando Torkor also collaborate with RTBF to educate parents within the region about child trafficking to protect their children from traffickers and child labor.
During our last monitoring visit, we found Kojo happy at school and enjoying his studies. He told his friends all about his stay with RTBF in Accra and the fun he had.
Kojo and Yvonne (center) with his new classmates.
Kojo said “My favorite subjects are writing and learning English (official language in Ghana) and I want to be a Mechanic or Welder in the future.” He expressed his profound gratitude to RTBF. He said “Thank you so much Dada Eric, I am happy you paid for my school fees, bought me soccer shoes, school supplies and all my books that I will need for school. I hope you can buy some shoes for my siblings to wear to church.”
Kojo's teacher said he had to repeat third grade since his skills were below grade level. The school’s head master said Kojo is gradually catching up due to the extra attention the teachers are giving him. He is always punctual and with time and encouragement, Kojo will continue to improve. The head master said, “When I came here, the school was in a very poor state but thank God, things are slowly improving. We lack infrastructure, teaching and learning materials, which always affect our progress. We are striving hard to keep this school running so the children can attain a high level of education.” He expressed his happiness that Kojo returned to school and noted the seriousness and devotion of his parents. He thanked RTBF for our efforts.
RTBF’s mission is not only to rescue trafficked children, but to also raise awareness in communities where children are at risk given their impoverished conditions. Partnering with local authorities, we educate families about the false promises made by traffickers who take advantage of their financial struggles and their children.
Kojo is a wonderful example of our donors making a substantial difference in the life of a child. You give their hopes and dreams a safe place to blossom and flourish. A place they didn’t know existed until they were saved by RTBF.
Help us provide a safe place for other children like Kojo to pursue their education and dreams.
All operating costs are funded internally; 100% of every donation directly serves trafficked children.
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