Mbgala and Kwetu Girls Home, Tanzania

Mbgala works with young girls, aged 7-13, and Kwetu program is for older girls aged 14-18. The program only deals with girls who have been trafficked and also girls who are at risk of trafficking.

The programme provides psycho-social counselling and life skills. Younger girls get primary education while older girls get vocational training and life skills: e.g. hotel management, tailoring and embroidering. Working from child-centred practice allows the girls to choose their vocation. Also after giving them the counselling, a committee can help them to raise awareness in their own community.

We try to work together with the communities to support and help them with HT prevention. We are also working closely with HT committees. The girls are trafficked for many reasons. In 2006 we managed to save 430 girls. They have graduated to work in many industries including teaching, nursing and seam stressing.

One girl, Leila, was supported – she arrived last year after being trafficked by a neighbour who promised her a good job once she completed her studies. She travelled to the town to provide for her family. She had high expectations. She was forced into sexual activity in a brothel. The trafficker threatened them if they did not perform sexual acts. She was rescued by The Salvation Army Program and was trained in Hotel Management.