Overview

This project will take place in five urban slum areas in the outskirts of Yangon, the capital city of Myanmar. Due to poverty, children from the slums are vulnerable to being trafficked. Local police estimate 20 cases of trafficking of 12–18-year-olds monthly - mainly young girls for sexual exploitation in Thailand and boys for child labour in local tea-houses and restaurants. The project focuses on anti-trafficking strategies in our partner’s five community centres located in identified trafficking hubs. Around 500 children are reached through these hubs on a daily basis. It involves training parents and children of the risks, prevention strategies and procedures to follow should trafficking occur, including access to legal advice.

Why support this

We are impressed with our implementers’ experience and their desire to protect children, the most vulnerable group. We like that they work closely with the local police and community leaders to protect children and families to bring about change in communities. We also appreciate the collection of data on trafficking to assist them in pinpointing effective strategies, together with the participation of volunteers from the slum communities.

Budget

$15,400. This covers teacher training, materials for distribution, trafficking awareness and prevention events, as well as monitoring and evaluation.

Expected Life Change

• Children will be taught how to avoid traffickers and paedophiles.
• Some children will be rescued from situations of trafficking.
• Children can access safe community centres and will find adults to trust.
• Parents will feel confident in identifying risks of trafficking and will feel empowered to act.