She did not just read the story about 90 victims of human trafficking rescued at a Refugee Camp in Malawi. She responded with passion and love by adopting 5 families whose stories have completely changed.
This is one of the most successful stories I will live to celebrate. The story of Renee Jones, the President and Chief Executive for the Renee Jones Empowerment Center of Cleveland in the United Sates of America, and how she transformed the lives of five women at Dzaleka Refugee Camp. I salute you, Renee!
Dzaleka Refugee Camp was established in 1994 by the Government of Malawi and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) to accommodate people fleeing genocide, violence, and wars in Burundi, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
30 years later, refugees continue to cross the borders of Malawi, aiming at finding security in the country or pursuing their journey to other countries of the region.
The camp has close to 58,000 refugee populations exposed to great risks of abuse, exploitation and organised criminal groups operating at border areas, in or around the Dzaleka refugee camp.
Trafficking in Persons (TIP) is of significant concern at the camp that hosts refugees and asylum-seekers primarily from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, Ethiopia, and Somalia, with a majority living in the Dzaleka Refugee Camp, just outside of the country’s capital city, Lilongwe.
The Camp was built in 1994 and designed to accommodate a maximum of 12,000 people; it is now hosting close to 58,000 refugees and asylum seekers.
Organised transnational crime syndicates operating out of informal night clubs within the Camp recruit girls for exploitation in sex trafficking inside the camp and in roadside night clubs along the highway to and from Lilongwe.
The camp is also used as a waypoint along the notorious “Southern Route”, a passage from the Horn of Africa to South on which migrant smugglers operate and undocumented migrants travel.
Organised crime networks operate within this camp to transport vulnerable migrants for exploitation in sex trafficking and forced labour to other countries in Southern Africa, particularly South Africa.
Renee Jones’ intervention started after reading a story about the rescue of 90 victims of human trafficking at the camp.
She identified and adopted 5 women among those rescued and started providing them with monthly upkeep while undergoing skills training including business development, marketing and tailoring training.
The women acquired skills in customer targeting, product differentiation, and branding. The training program was designed specifically for refugee women and victims of human trafficking, considering their unique needs and challenges. It covered a range of topics, including business planning and management, marketing and sales, financial management, and product development.
The other component also focused on the financial capability that strengthened the women’s management of their resources and making use of financial services at Dzaleka Refugee Camp.
Two years after the rescue and one year after Renee Jones’ intervention, I stumbled upon a remarkable story that has left me speechless. I just had to share it with you, in the hopes that it will inspire you to join the campaign against human trafficking.
I spoke to Renee Jones about the situation of human trafficking victims at the camp three months after the rescue of 90 victims, and she immediately committed to adopt five victims and families by using her personal resources and work alongside an organisation based at the camp responsible for vocation training and business development.
This programme has been a gamechanger for these survivors, providing them with the skills and knowledge they need to rebuild their lives and achieve their full potential. The 5 women have now gained financial independence and are running successful businesses. It is amazing to see how the 5 women’s confidence and self-esteem had soared.
The business development training program conducted by Renee Jones has had a profound impact on the lives of survivors of human trafficking. By providing essential skills and knowledge in business management, the programme has empowered survivors to break the cycle of trafficking and rebuild their lives with dignity and purpose.
Renee Jones’ program has enabled survivors to gain financial independence by starting their own businesses. This has not only improved their economic status but also boosted their confidence and self-esteem. With the skills and knowledge acquired, survivors are now able to manage their finances effectively, make informed decisions, and plan for their future.
The business development training programme has also had a profound impact on the psychological wellbeing of survivors. By providing a sense of purpose and direction, the programme has helped survivors to overcome the trauma and stigma associated with human trafficking. Survivors have reported increased confidence, self-esteem, and a sense of empowerment, enabling them to take control of their lives and make positive decisions about their future.
The business development training programme opened doors to new opportunities for survivors of human trafficking. With the skills and knowledge acquired, survivors are now able to pursue their dreams and aspirations and create a brighter future for themselves and their families.
Read more about human trafficking at the refugee camp and join the movement to empower survivors of human trafficking.
Together, we can make a difference and create a world where human trafficking is a thing of the past.
