Caritas Nigeria is working with #COATNET to assist victims of trafficking and modern slavery, who are subjected to physical and psychological violence, often while trying to seek a better life.
“My name is Oyime and I am 36 years old. After my marriage broke up, I had custody of my 3 children without any form of support from their father. Life was difficult for me; I could not take care of the children’s needs so I left them with my mother in the village and came to Benin where I worked as a cleaner with a meagre salary.
In November 2021, I met someone who promised to sponsor me to go to Europe. I was told to travel to Ghana and that the documents would be processed from there. When I got to Ghana, my phone was seized and I was kept in a brothel. I was told I had to work to pay the undisclosed amount of money used to bring me to Ghana. I was physically and sexually violated and exploited until a client helped me to escape.
When I came back to Nigeria, I heard about Caritas Nigeria from a fellow returned migrant, and I enrolled in their training programme where I learned how to run a business. During the training, I learnt important skills such as stress management, positive thinking, and emotion management, all of which have deeply encouraged me and helped me heal.
At the end of the training, I started my business. Now I know how good it feels to have a place I can call my own where I can use my skills and make good money. I am happy now and grateful to Caritas Nigeria for coming to my aid and giving me a new lease of life.”