By Sr. Faith Atolwa, MSF
Human trafficking has evolved from isolated cases into a full-blown global crisis. What was once
viewed as a problem in big cities has now reached homes, schools and markets in the remotest parts
of the country. Even villages and small trading centers are increasingly being targeted by different
kinds of traffickers who deceive young people, luring them with all kinds of false promises.
Subukia Constituency, located in Nakuru County has been no exception to this worrying trend,
underscoring an urgent need for awareness creation, community vigilance and strong partnerships
to protect the vulnerable.
At our school, the Holy Family School, under the care of the Missionary Sisters of the Holy Family
Congregation a crisis began on an ordinary weekday.
As students made their way to school in the morning, and returned home in the evening, a group of
suspicious looking individuals were spotted hanging around the school gate as if in the daily business
of dropping and picking pupils from school. Others followed the children as they walked on the
roadside calling them to go their way, attempting to abduct several of them.
The perpetrators seemed to particularly target children who were isolated from the rest and those
who had just been dropped off or were standing back waiting to be picked.
Fortunately, their efforts to lure the learners with money, lifts and gifts were not successful as most
of the children recognized the imminent danger. Instead of keeping quiet, these learners ran straight
to the school administration to report the unusual behaviour, shouting out to alert the
neighbourhood.
Upon receiving this alarming news, and fully aware of the gravity of the threat, the sister in charge
called for an emergency school assembly, gathering every learner, teacher, and subordinate staff.
The priority became to protect our young ones and to create awareness to all our pupils of the need
to be alert, avoid talking to strangers, walk in groups, report suspicious looking people, never to
accept rides from unknown individuals.
The atmosphere was heavy as the realities of human trafficking dawned on the school. The attempt
to lure the learners brought to real life the earlier lessons on safeguarding. This was no longer just
theory taught in class, but rather the practical side of what they had been warned about.
Thanks to the prior knowledge that yielded an immediate and profound impact. By breaking silence
and openly discussing human trafficking, the school community shifted from a state of vulnerability
to one of high alert. Our learners became the eyes and ears of the community.
I recall a comical situation that took place several days after the incident. One early morning as my
fellow sisters and I were coming from Mass, we came upon some of our lower primary school
learners who were standing by the roadside waiting for the school van to pick them up. Because our
convent is located just next to the school, we thought it would be convenient to drop them at
school.
To our great delight and surprise, the children politely refused to board our vehicle, firmly clinging to
their parents and adamant that they would only board the school van.
This response filled us with joy as it showed us that they had truly learnt and understood the
importance of saying, “NO” to invitations from strangers. Even more remarkably was the fact that
they applied this rule to everyone, including us, the sisters who run their school.