A social work intern who was trained by Hope for Justice has played a vital role in safeguarding an eight-year-old girl.
Hana Wasihun, a former intern, was walking in Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa when she noticed a young child sleeping on the street. From her time volunteering with Hope for Justice just months prior, she was aware of the high risk of trafficking for children living on the street. Using the skills she had learned whilst working with our team, she carefully approached the child.
After conducting an initial assessment, 23-year-old Hana took the girl to a nearby police station. Officers then contacted our outreach team, and the girl was invited into the safety of one of our Lighthouses – short-term aftercare centres for children at risk of human trafficking, or who have been trafficked.
At the Lighthouse, the girl received holistic services as well as care, and psychosocial support. Meanwhile our team worked to trace her family and arranged for her to be safely reunited with her mother.
Adyam Adnew, our Head of Social Work in Ethiopia, who led the internship programme, said: “The reunion was deeply emotional – the mother received her child with joyful tears, trembling as she held her close.”
Hana had graduated from a three-month social work internship programme at Hope for Justice which was funded by UNICEF. On completing the programme, our staff tell the interns that they are ambassadors of Hope for Justice.
Adyam said: “This story proves that we are right to call them ambassadors.”
You can read more about our work with UNICEF here: Ethiopia: Hope for Justice & UNICEF change children’s lives
Atinkut Zewdu, our Safeguarding, Mental Health, and Psychosocial Support Manager, said: “Tears of pain turned to joy as this beautiful soul returned home, reminding us why family reintegration truly matters. Ye Gelleta! Yes, we are right.” Ye Geletta means ‘Glory to God’ or ‘Thank you, God’ in a Wolaita language.
Feyisa Tefera, our Ethiopia Director of Programmes, said: “This is my reward at Hope for Justice – placing the restored child with her innocent mother. It renews my energy and commitment. I also appreciate our programme integration approaches, a former UNICEF project intern identifying the child, connecting her with the police and then with Hope for Justice’s services. Let us keep up the good work – our teamwork.”
