In 2023, you helped us prevent the trafficking of 1,374 children, opening doors to education for 148 new students — including providing housing for 79 of these children.
Ensuring safe, stable, and nurturing relationships and environments for all children is critical to our work at LUV. Our local partners provide physical protection and spiritual counseling to help the children in our anti-trafficking network become empowered and grow in resiliency.
Understanding adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) informs our care strategies, especially in Sudan and South Sudan, where exploitation rates are high due to conflict and extreme poverty.
Out of 1,312 children surveyed, 76% reported at least one ACE. This includes 36% experiencing two or three ACEs, and 12% reporting four or more. The most common ACEs include physical and emotional neglect.*
Specific metrics track the unique challenges faced by students in warzones, such as family deaths due to lack of medical care or conflict. The children we assist come from diverse backgrounds marked by war, violence, poverty, and lack of healthcare access. Many have experienced hunger and loss firsthand.
The stories of Angela, Oholong, and Bakhita below, reflect the harsh realities of living in war-torn nations and the impossible scenarios children must navigate — often alone. Yet, amidst these challenging narratives, there are instances when we can extend our help to the whole family after they grapple with the aftermath of a loss — like for Maya and her mother.
Seven-year-old Angela** narrowly escaped traffickers while her family engaged in subsistence farming. In the pursuit, a gunfight ensued, wounding Angela. Following this traumatic event, she hid in bushes, surviving with a flesh wound. Reunited with her parents, the joy of the reunion was overshadowed by the fear of losing her again. Seeking a safe haven, Angela’s parents discovered our programs.
Twelve-year-old Bakhita** faced eye infections that limited her vision since 2021. Misunderstood and feared of being cursed, her family cast her out. After struggling to survive for nearly a year, a kind government official took her to Juba for treatment. Her infections persisted, and he turned to our local leaders in 2023, who facilitated her medical evacuation to Kenya, where she made a full recovery! Bahkita is now thriving in the care of LUV’s anti-trafficking network.
Six-year-old Oholong** was just one year old when war ravaged his community, claiming the lives of his parents. His frail and aging grandmother took on the responsibility of caring for him but was unable to because she lacked access to medical care for herself and food for them both. Also fearing insecurity in the region, she discovered LUV’s commitment to protecting children like Oholong. The young boy is now safe, attending school, and eating well.
Seven-year-old Maya** faced hardships no child should have to endure at that age. Her father’s death left her mother to navigate survival for the young family on her own. A pivotal moment came when a job opportunity opened up in our school. Maya’s mother was hired for the position, which gave Maya access to the programs we offer to children of vulnerable women. With your invaluable support, Maya’s family is finding strength through our education and economic development programs.
Research shows a correlation between ACEs and negative life outcomes, but your support helps mitigate risks and builds resilience. Although the remote communities we operate in often lack accessible resources for assistance, your donation helps us provide protective factors and supportive services that aids in preventing further harm and fostering stability for vulnerable children.
Your generosity ensures these children receive the care and support they need to thrive despite the many adversities they face.
In the most challenging corners of the world, where LUV serves, your investment becomes a beacon of hope, fostering healing and empowerment for children and women alike. Your generosity equips us to provide life-saving care for children in dire need, and your ongoing support helps us stand with these children and families as they grow strong through our programs.
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*Due to the young ages of the students in our program, a storytelling model was used for self-reporting that allowed each child to freely share about their lives with no pressure or prompts to disclose about any harm they may have experienced. We know there is a much higher count of ACEs experienced by children within our programs that have not been indicated in our data.
**Our commitment is to keep children safe online, and because the children are under the age of 18, their names were changed to protect their identities.