October 2023, Sesheke District, Zambia – 13-year-old Grace is one of the many children who have been illegally trafficked to other countries bordering with Zambia. The youngest of seven siblings, all living with their mother in a small hut in Sesheke district, Grace developed a strange eye disease last year. Her eyes were mostly itchy and watery. Grace’s father, who lives in Namibia, would contact the mother often to check on children and his family – who have taken refuge in Zambia.
“A lady visited us early this year, assuring us that she would take Grace to the hospital in Namibia, where under her father’s care, she could be treated for the eye disease,” says Grace’s mother, Mwanza (40).
“A lady visited us early this year, assuring us that she would take Grace to the hospital in Namibia, where under her father’s care, she could be treated for the eye disease,” says Grace’s mother, Mwanza (40). “Without verification, and in hope of getting my child treated, I let Grace go with the lady who claimed to be my husband’s relative. My heart felt a strange fear, but I did not have enough means or courage to question. I wanted Grace to be better,” she adds.
Early this year, in April 2023, Grace accompanied the woman, claiming to be her aunt and left off for a journey unknown to her. After crossing the Zambian border, the immigration officials in Namibia asked the aunt to show the girl’s documents which she failed to do. Instead, the lady presented her own daughter’s documents. The police asked Grace her name and details, which did not match those on the documents presented.
“I was taken to the police station, separated from my aunt, and I was scared. I had never seen a real police officer in my life,”
“I was taken to the police station, separated from my aunt, and I was scared. I had never seen a real police officer in my life,” says Grace (13), as she recalls the time. The police and authorities took Grace to the Ministry of Gender and Social Welfare in Namibia as a potential case of human trafficking while they tried to identify Grace and her family. Due to the persisting itchy eyes, the staff took Grace to the hospital, where she was assessed and prescribed medication.
The Social Welfare officials registered Grace’s case and moved her to a safe shelter immediately, keeping her from immigration detention. The Government of Zambia, through Ministry of Community Development and Social Services (MCDSS) has established Cross-Border Collaboration, under which Best Interests Determination (BID) Panels are formed that assess the cases of children on the move immediately, prevent child-trafficking, and ensure reintegration of children into their families, while ensuring their safety and protection on all sides of the border.
A BID panel was informed to assess Grace and trace her family as well, while she stayed at the safe center. “I did not know it was the police. I thought my aunt sold me off to the robbers, and I spent all the time fearing how they may harm me. I would miss my family and cry a lot. I did not know if I would ever see them again,” says Grace. “People at the shelter would assure me that I would go back home, but I just wanted to be with my mother, and I did not know how and when,” she adds.
“We traced Grace’s family, as soon as we were brought on board for the case,” says Loverty Mainga (38) – Assistant Social Welfare Officer and Child Welfare Inspector, MCDSS. “We brought her back to Zambia and kept her at our safe house here, while we assessed her home and family for reintegration. Grace’s mother started crying when we informed her about Grace. After two days of completing our assessment and preparing for reintegration, we brought Grace home to her family in presence of our team and the Zambian police.”
“Witnessing the reintegration, and Grace coming home, was emotional. Her mother and siblings did not know that she had been trafficked, thinking she was going to the hospital and would be with her father. After her return, as she has settled back, Grace has also rejoined her school,” adds Loverty.
“Witnessing the reintegration, and Grace coming home, was emotional. Her mother and siblings did not know that she had been trafficked, thinking she was going to the hospital and would be with her father. After her return, as she has settled back, Grace has also rejoined her school,”
The Government of the Republic of Zambia, working together with UNICEF and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and with funding support from the European Union, has implemented the EU Global Promotion of Best Practices for Children in Migration in Eastern and Southern Africa and Latin America and Caribbean Regions from the year 2020 to 2023. Under the leadership of the Government, with the Ministry of Community Development & Social Services and Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security, the programme was rolled out in 10 districts, including Sesheke, located in the Western Province of Zambia, where Grace and her family live.
The programme contributed to the review and development of a total of nine Standard Operating Procedures for child protection services relevant to the children on the move. It also included access to basic gender sensitive services and five policies approved for strengthening protection frameworks – specifically targeting vulnerable children on the move.
