The FTS Blog provides a platform for dialogue about how slavery affects communities around the world—and what can be done to eliminate it.
Felix studying at FTS-funded shelter after four years in child fishing slavery
Owning livestock can transform a family’s future in rural Ghana. An impoverished farmer can sell the cow’s milk, and use its dung for fertilizer and biofuel.
Of course, it’s never right to sell your son to get a cow. But that’s what Felix Kaletsi’s father did. A trafficker offered Felix’s dad an upfront payment of GHs50 (US $11) and the promise of a cow if the boy would work on fishing boats for four years. Feliz was just six years old.
“My read more >
When they first arrived at the rescue shelter, you could see in their eyes that these children had endured the unimaginable. “We were tied with ropes and beaten, with no food for the day,” they said. “We slept on the bare floor with no blankets.”
For these three kids, however, life wasn’t always slavery. The cousins had a typical childhood with their parents. Dziwonya, Christopher and Esenam lived in the Ghanaian village of Havaleh. They went to school and life was read more >
The first day of Hanukkah this year coincides with an important date in the anti-slavery calendar. December 2nd is the United Nations International Day for the Abolition of Slavery.
That is why we are especially happy this year to spotlight a confluence of observance and activism. A Free the Slaves Passover Project Partner has taken direct action to liberate children from slavery in Africa.
The Global Mitzvah Project of Temple Emanuel in Kensington, MD has made read more >
Last week brought high praise for our program to combat child trafficking in Ghana. It came directly from the village chief of Lolonya in the Greater Accra Region. He said our “Growing Up Free” project “has been a blessing for this community and for the children.”
The chief’s comments came as a Washington delegation from the U.S. State Department Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (J/TIP) visited the village to learn how the program read more >
Field testing is underway for our latest training initiative. A Free the Slaves team this month debuted our new handbook on the liberation, rehabilitation and reintegration of people who’ve been trapped in modern slavery.
The first five-day beta test workshop was conducted in Ghana. More than 20 front-line field workers from International Justice Mission (IJM), Afrikids, the Don Bosco Child Protection Center, International Needs Ghana (INGH), read more >
Elijah and Michael Dzeagu
First came the sickness. Nobody knew what it was. Not the numerous herbalists nor any of the doctors could help Rosemary Gilkpo and her six children find a cure for their ailing husband, father and sole breadwinner, Simon Tetteh Dzeagu.
Then the money ran out to pay for herbalists or anything else. They were forced to borrow. Caring alone for a family of eight became impossible for Rosemary Gilkpo. With no food, medical insurance available, no social monetary assistance available, no read more >
The U.S. State Department says many African governments are doing a better job combating modern slavery. More than a dozen African nations received upgrades in the annual Trafficking in Persons Report (TIP).
The upgrades include Ghana, where Free the Slaves has helped lead a comprehensive program to strengthen communities and government agencies.
“We saw some positive movements across entire regions,” said U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo while releasing the report in Washington Thursday. “Of the 48 African read more >
A new research report has uncovered cases of child trafficking and exploitation in six districts of Ghana. Field teams documented more than 500 instances of child trafficking in 20 communities surveyed in 2016, and 107 households with cases of child trafficking in 14 additional communities studied in 2017.
The findings are revealed in a just-completed report, Trafficking’s Footprint, which is now available on the Free the Slaves Ghana program webpage.
Free the Slaves and our partner read more >
I am in Ghana this week with news to share that just can’t wait, so I’m writing directly from the field. The work you support has transformed villages where child trafficking used to be common. I’ve just seen it firsthand.
It takes time to reach Dzilakope, a remote community along Lake Volta. Our field team boarded a leaky boat Monday for a very long ride. The enormous lake looked beautiful, calm and rimmed by green hills. Long wooden boats with read more >
Every day, the staff of Free the Slaves works in solidarity with local partners and communities to help bring about a more just world. We do so in Haiti, in several countries in Africa, and in Asia.
Every day, our staff manifests tremendous dedication and skill. Every day, our partners do the hard work of serving, with great integrity, communities in need.
Every day, the people in those communities exhibit courage, decency and care. These are read more >
Many businesses will match your contributions or allow you to make tax-exempt contributions directly from your paycheck. Call 202.580.7668 or email narit.gessler@freetheslaves.net for help. Free the Slaves has been approved by the Combined Federal Campaign for U.S. government employees. The number is 11482.
A copy of Free the Slaves financial statements may be obtained by contacting us at: (202) 775-7480 or 1320 19th St NW # 600, Washington, DC 20036.
Residents of the following states may obtain a copy of our financial and additional information as stated below:
Colorado: Colorado residents may obtain copies of registration and financial documents from the office of the Secretary of State, 303-894-2860, www.sos.state.co.us/ re: Reg.No 20163039484.
Florida: A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR FREE THE SLAVES, (REGISTRATION NO. CH43520), MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING 800-435-7352 OR VISITING THEIR WEBSITE WWW.FRESHFROMFLORIDA.COM. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.
Georgia: A full and fair description of the programs and financial statement summary of Free the Slaves is available upon request at the office and phone number indicated above.
Illinois: Contracts and reports regarding Free the Slaves, Inc. are on file with the Illinois Attorney General.
Maryland: Documents and information submitted under the Maryland Solicitations Act are also available, for the cost of postage and copies, from the Secretary of State, State House, Annapolis, MD 21401 (410-974-5534).
Michigan: MICS No. 57944.
Mississippi: The official registration and financial information of Free the Slaves may be obtained from the Mississippi Secretary of State’s office by calling 888-236-6167. Registration by the Secretary of State does not imply endorsement.
New Jersey: INFORMATION FILED WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL CONCERNING THIS CHARITABLE SOLICITATION AND THE PERCENTAGE OF CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED BY THE CHARITY DURING THE LAST REPORTING PERIOD THAT WERE DEDICATED TO THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY BY CALLING 973-504-6215 AND IS AVAILABLE ON THE INTERNET AT http://www.state.nj.us/lps/ca/charity/chardir.htm. REGISTRATION WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT.
New York: Upon request, a copy of the latest annual report can be obtained from the organization or from the Office of the Attorney General by writing to the Charities Bureau at 120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271.
North Carolina: Financial information about this organization and a copy of its license are available from the State Solicitation Licensing Branch at 888- 830-4989 or 919-807-2214. The license is not an endorsement by the State.
Pennsylvania: The official registration and financial information of Free the Slaves may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling 800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.
Virginia: Financial statements are available from the, Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, P.O. Box 1163, Richmond, VA 23218.
Washington: Free the Slaves is registered with Washington State’s Charities Program as required by law and additional information is available by calling 800-332-4483 or visiting www.sos.wa.gov/charities, or on file at Charities Division, Office of the Secretary of State, State of Washington, Olympia, WA 98504.
West Virginia: Residents may obtain a summary of the registration and financial documents from: Secretary of State, State Capitol, Charleston, WV 25305. CONTRIBUTIONS ARE USED FOR CHARITABLE PURPOSES IN SUPPORT OF Free the Slaves’ MISSION, AND ARE DEDUCTIBLE FOR FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAW. REGISTRATION IN A STATE DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION OF FREE THE SLAVES BY THE STATE.
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