Trafficking and sexual exploitation endanger the lives of thousands of girls living in rural communities near Riverside. Through education at Riverside Farm’s boarding school, all their needs are provided for. They do not have to fight to survive and they are free to pursue their educational dreams.

Child Impact is directly involved in helping prevent child marriage through the support of Palawan Literacy School, a jungle school in the Palawan highlands. Previously, children of this village were without viable education options due to the distance from the lowlands and their family obligations to help during the harvest season. Village children grow up illiterate, and for survival, most girls marry at a young age and often to much older men.

Following the war that broke out in South Sudan in 2013, South Sudan refugees fled to all neighboring countries. Due to the continued economic crisis, South Sudanese refugees kept moving desperately seeking a stable economic country. Many refugees fled to Egypt after the Egyptian government granted visa-free movement. If the students are not in school, they are at high risk of joining gangs.

UNICEF reported that 83% of women who cross the Ukraine border bring children with them. Men between the ages of 18-60 are required to stay behind to defend their country. Some people genuinely offer to help and others take advantage of the desperation of these refugees by trafficking them. Project Safe Passage was started as a response to this risk. We work with local contacts who arrange for women and children to be safely transported to Germany and Austria where they receive a warm welcome as they find more long-term housing. Presently, Child Impact is supporting a center for Ukranian refugees, helping them locate housing and caring for their needs.

Suleiman Bayu was injured in a freak accident when he was seven. He survived with a broken leg, but his crushed right hand never regained use and became a reminder of that accident throughout his life. Tragically, three years later he lost his family due to famine. As an adult, he has channeled the passion he has for children who have experienced loss and challenges through starting a new school and orphanage called “New Hope." It provides basic necessities and increased learning outcomes for orphans, children with disabilities, and children of impoverished single moms by making financial and material resources available. Today, New Hope cares for nearly 100 orphans and educates more than 700 children. Traffickers may target individuals with disabilities because of the social discrimination and prejudice they face. We are grateful that all children, especially those with disabilities, have a safe place to live and learn at New Hope.

The Freedom Project is working to care for girls rescued from trafficking and prevent the exploitation of young girls. We support the vocational school that teaches girls trade skills like baking and soap making. These girls can create a brighter future for themselves with these skills.

Olmalaika Trust seeks to end female genital mutilation and forced marriage, enable healing, and create opportunities for self-sufficiency. FGM is almost always done to girls against their will and commonly as a step to prepare these girls to be married. Child marriage is considered to be one of the forms of human trafficking because there is usually an exchange of goods or money in exchange for a girl who has little or no say in the arrangement.

Of the 42 million people in Tanzania, 2.5 million are orphans under the age of 15. Through Falco’s Children Village, these orphaned children will find safety, love, a sense of belonging, and a brighter future. They will have a wide variety of educational, vocational, and recreational experiences to help them each grow individually and be ready for adulthood.

For safety and security reasons, we do not disclose all of our projects by their exact name or location. Nonetheless, support from donors like you help us to protect girls susceptible to being trafficked. We rescue girls who are in the process of being sold to older men as child brides or being exploited for labor, and place them in a safe house. We have rescued 6 girls, and have the capacity for 4 more. Thank you for your generosity in ensuring a brighter futures for girls in the Middle East.