We were trafficked. Now we are illegal migrants | World Pulse

As a peer educator on Illegal Migration Awareness and Alternatives to Violence with the Prisoners Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA) a non-governmental organization based in Nigeria, I have had the opportunity of speaking with survivors of child trafficking and illegal migration.
The stories of three young women have remained with me for over a year now.
*Christy was 12 when an aunt visited her hometown, Benin City from Spain. The aunt who was very impressed with the way she looked and how she has developed physically expressed her interest in returning abroad with her, promising to adopt her upon her arrival.
Christy was excited; finally, she would fly in an aeroplane, meet a Caucasian man and have children with long silky hair. Her parents were beside themselves with joy. Christy could finally bring them all out of poverty going back five generations and take her other siblings to Europe too.
As per the aunts request, Christy would live with other girls about the same age as she was with an agent in Lagos for a certain amount of time. She will be ‘polished’ and socialized into behaving, speaking and dressing to fit the profile of a European girl. She would not have contact with her parents or anyone from home; this was necessary to prepare her for a life of focus and independence abroad.
When it came time for them to depart Lagos, they did not leave by aeroplane. Instead, they used back roads to neighbouring countries and waited in makeshift tents till night fall to cross international borders. Exposed to the elements, hungry, thirsty, she just wanted to go back home to her family, but there was no going back.
Six months into their journey, their guardians and escorts – six men announced to the 12 of them, the need to ‘begin practicing’ the trade they would be doing in Europe. They were subsequently gang raped night after another night."



We were trafficked. Now we are illegal migrants | World Pulse

I-MAP TALENT HUNT AND YOUTH CONCERT

I-MAP (illegal migration awareness program) and AVP (alternatives to violence project) are targeted at youths at risk in the society.

Since its inception in August last year in Lagos, Enugu and Abuja, we have organised out reaches to orphanages, schools, NYSC camps, remand homes, indigenous communities and anywhere we found youths at risk.

As volunteer peer educators, we do not only teach youths their rights as migrant workers (whether they are legal or illegal migrants) we teach them effective alternatives to violence methods, life planning skills and we encourage them to arm themselves with the information found in the Nigeria Immigration act. We also organise workshops where we train youths on skills acquisition and we provide linkages between these youths and vocational homes.

Keep a date with us on the 26th of January at the Aquatic water parks at ikeja for the I-MAP talent hunt and youth concert.

The talent hunt competition is open to all including students of  public and private schools. Areas open to contestants are music, drama, poetry debates, comedy  etc. There are lots of cash prizes to be won.

Youth peer educators will also be on ground to answer your questions including how to become a peer educator too.

There will be guest appearance by M.I, Joke Slyva, Dramin of the Stupidbots crew, Villy of the XVol, l band and so many more artiste, comedians and seasoned motivational speakers.

ADMISSION IS TOTALLY FREE!

 

I-MAP is a PRAWA initiative in partnership with AVP and M-POWER and it is supported by the BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION, NYSC and THE NIGERIA IMMIGRATION SERVICE.

For more info call these numbers: 07031583987, 08166613428 or like our facebook I-MAP page.