Vocational Training and Hope for the Future

Photo by David Snyder/CRS

PORTO NOVO, Benin — Assiatou (not her real name) was so young when she was sent to work as a domestic servant for a family in Porto Novo that she does not remember her mother or father. In fact, she has only a first name, given to her by her owner, because she has no memory or record of her family name.

At the age of 12, Assiatou was sold to a second woman in Bohicon, who abused the young girl. Assiatou explains, "The abuse became intolerable to the point that I escaped and ran away to the police." The police brought the scared girl to the Ibaretta Caritas Center, where she is given food, clothing, medical care and support.

Now, Assiatou is learning metalworking through the center's vocational training program and will earn a technical diploma. She also receives education in human rights and literacy. With a shy smile, Assiatou says, "I am happy at Ibaretta. I am learning to read and write, and no one hits me here."

Provide Vocational Training to Children in Benin

In Benin, between 99,000 and 173,000 children leave home to work. About 99,200 are trafficked outside the country. An important element of the trafficking problem is lack of access to education because many families can't afford school.

CRS Benin provides essential technical and material support to Caritas training centers located in three Beninese departments where child trafficking is most endemic. The children receive food, clothing, medical care, support and education at the centers.