A former beneficiary of Hope for Justice returned to the aftercare centre where he was supported 20 years ago to share his inspirational story with young survivors of modern slavery.
Hailu*, who is in his early 30s, spoke about his experience of living on the streets of Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa, the hardships he faced, and how Retrak (now part of Hope for Justice) staff supported him to turn his life around.
Hailu says his time living at home as a child was challenging due to conflicts with a family member. Peer pressure eventually caused him to run away but with nowhere to go, Hailu ended up living on the streets where he was subjected to labour exploitation.
He said: “On the streets there was always a lack of food and shelter, and no one to look after us. The stigma from society is unbearable. They won’t even let their children play with us because we are labelled ‘street children’.”
To make a living, Hailu carried out various jobs, but he describes the situation as “harsh and unsafe”.
One day Hailu heard that outreach workers from a charity called Retrak were registering children who wanted to join a shelter. Aged just 14 he made his way to the organisation’s office and expressed his interest. The team invited him into the Lighthouse shelter. Hailu received food, medical care, life skills training, catch-up education, access to a library and optional Bible study sessions.
He said: “I had to use this opportunity wisely, especially the shelter helped me a lot with my addiction.”
After five months, the shelter was relocated to a new site that provided better facilities and accommodation. During this time, Hailu and the other children were given several options for their future, including vocational training, family reintegration or small business support. Hailu and three of his friends opted for vocational training, which was funded through a partnership with the local authority.
Hailu was enrolled on a year’s garment training programme, during which time he resided at the Lighthouse and received financial support. He said: “The money taught me how to manage finances, and the shelter taught me how to live peacefully with others.”
When he graduated, Hailu gained experience and employment with several companies. He told us that he valued the foundational skills he received at the Lighthouse: “Absolutely it was helpful. I was working in a furniture company, preparing cloth for couches. In my free time, my employers taught me woodworking. My journey started at Retrak, and that’s what opened the door for me to learn how to make different kinds of furniture.”
Given the difficult circumstances he had faced at home, Hailu was not reintegrated into family-based care, but was instead supported into independent living following his time at the Lighthouse.
Twenty years on, Hailu returned to our Canaan Lighthouse on April 11th to share his story as part of our celebration of International Day for Street Children. He met with child beneficiaries, interns and staff members, one of whom was employed when Hailu was at the Lighthouse 20 years ago.
One member of staff said: “Thanks to the Lord, he was so small when he joined but now he is a grown man with his own business, married and a father of two. It’s truly heartwarming.”
The storekeeper, who was house mother when Hailu was a boy at the Lighthouse, said: “Hailu invited me to his wedding. I couldn’t attend but he shared his wedding photos with me. During the recent celebration day at the Lighthouse, he got emotional before giving his speech, and so did I. I’m so proud of him.”
During his talk, Hailu shared his story – the hardships, the resilience, the transformation. His words deeply resonated with the children, who later repeated parts of his speech by heart.
Hailu wanted to give something back and has kindly offered to provide free woodwork training to two of the current child beneficiaries at the Lighthouse.
*Name and image changed to protect identity of survivor
