{"id":21524,"date":"2023-12-12T02:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-12-11T16:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.destinyrescue.org.au\/?p=21524"},"modified":"2023-11-18T06:50:02","modified_gmt":"2023-11-17T20:50:02","slug":"nobody-can-stop-me-trafficking-survivor-tackles-post-rescue-hardships-head-on","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.destinyrescue.org.au\/blog\/nobody-can-stop-me-trafficking-survivor-tackles-post-rescue-hardships-head-on\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cNobody Can Stop Me\u201d: Trafficking Survivor Tackles Post-Rescue Hardships Head-On"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Recently, we shared the inspiring story of Hamisi <\/span>(<\/span><\/i>Ha-mi-si<\/span><\/i>)<\/span><\/i>, a brave child trafficking survivor from Kenya who chose to drive forward in life despite a mountain of difficulties. <\/span><\/h5>\n
After the death of her parents, this bright student was entrapped and abused before learning that she was pregnant. But instead of giving in to despair, she chose rescue and pressed on with incredible determination. <\/span><\/h5>\n
You can read her story here<\/a>, <\/span>but we didn\u2019t include everything she said in that post.<\/b><\/h5>\n

Near the end of her interview, Hamisi directed her words to other girls who can relate to her pain.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In today\u2019s post, we want to share Hamisi\u2019s advice and encouragement for other victims of human trafficking, particularly girls who\u2019ve become pregnant as a result. To fully understand what she\u2019s endured, we highly recommend reading the first part of her interview before this one for context.<\/span><\/p>\n

Free, but haunted<\/span><\/h2>\n

As she sits during her interview, Hamisi cradles the sweet baby she once thought would stifle her future. She\u2019s already spoken about losing her parents, about the manipulative man who deceived and exploited her, about contemplating abortion when she found out she was pregnant. But she\u2019s also talked about the rescue agents who slowly gained her trust, her choice to accept freedom and the wonderful care she received after rescue.<\/span><\/p>\n

But rescue isn\u2019t instantaneous;<\/span> it\u2019s a process<\/span><\/a> that\u2019s different for every child.<\/span><\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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To ensure a child\u2019s freedom from exploitation, all Destiny Rescue rescue regions in Africa develop <\/em>Freedom Plans<\/em><\/a>, which may include economic assistance, vocational training, and other benefits that fit their unique needs<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

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For Hamisi, the freedom to get an education without the financial assistance of the man who exploited her was an incredible blessing. Unfortunately, it also presented a unique, painful new set of challenges.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I was in this school, it was really hard,\u201d Hamisi said. \u201cPeople were looking and talking about me as if they knew me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Because Hamisi made the courageous choice to keep her child, her pregnancy became more obvious daily. Without knowing (or asking) about what led to her situation, other students made unwarranted assumptions about Hamisi\u2019s character.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hamisi lowered her voice, remembering how the other students made her feel: \u201cThey were lowering my self-esteem.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The brave survivor was still processing what had happened to her, learning to manoeuvre through life while managing the frightful trauma she\u2019d endured.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Facing persecution from her fellow students and even some of the teachers made her efforts even more difficult. \u201cStudying was so hard when people were saying rude things and bad things about (me),\u201d she recalled, her voice thick with emotion.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI felt so discouraged. I could not even work in the school compound,\u201d Hamisi said.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ostracized by the other students, the diligent student had to study by herself. \u201cI would sit alone, (with) a lot of pressure on my mind,\u201d Hamisi said, frowning. \u201cIt was a really hard journey.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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According to UNICEF<\/a>, before the worldwide spread of COVID-19, nationwide enrolment in secondary education was only 53% in Kenya<\/em> (Image is representational)<\/p>\n\n\n

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Then her expression suddenly softens. “But my Destiny (Rescue) Helpers, they were there for me.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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No longer alone<\/span><\/h2>\n

Though her fellow students ostracised and persecuted her, Hamisi had a strong, loving support system to fall back on that wasn\u2019t there before.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThey encouraged me. They made sure I was in school without missing any lessons,\u201d she said of the \u201cDestiny Helpers\u201d, which is how she referred to Destiny Rescue staff.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

At a time of such monumental stress, our team provided her with a solid foundation of love, stability and hope that motivated Hamisi to drive forward. \u201cThey watched over me. They would come and ensure that I was safe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Perhaps just as importantly, Hamisi could safely confide in them.<\/span><\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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They heard me. They gave me a shoulder to cry on. <\/span>They gave me hope to continue living.<\/b>\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n

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Destiny Rescue staff in Kenya pose with survivors after a 2023 graduation ceremony<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

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Now, Hamisi is passionate about sharing that hope with other girls who\u2019ve been exploited or are facing pregnancy at a young age.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe journey of being pregnant and young is not something easy,\u201d Hamisi said, recalling how the world seemed to close in around her. \u201cThe environment is so small for you.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But despite these harsh realities, Hamisi has a message to spread:<\/span><\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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To the girls out there that may pass through the same situation that I\u2019m undergoing: <\/span>do not give up!<\/b>\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n

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Hamisi knows the struggle. She knows what it is to feel trapped, alone and desperate for some way out. In the darkest moments of her distress, Hamisi battled thoughts of suicide. Just before she was rescued, she was making plans to abort her baby.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But this incredibly strong girl recognises that those are empty avenues of escape, not progression.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Instead, Hamisi implores other suffering girls to take action based on future hopes, not current struggles.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t do things that you\u2019ll say later, \u2018I wish\u2026,\u2019\u201d Hamisi says. \u201cDon\u2019t use the term \u2018I wish,\u2019 but say \u2018<\/span>I must.<\/b>\u2019\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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What matters is\u2026 tomorrow,\u201d she said. \u201cLet\u2019s leave the past behind.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n

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Hamisi gave a speech at her graduation from Destiny Rescue programming<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

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Hamisi is exemplifying that perspective. Even as she cares for her baby, she\u2019s diligently pursuing her education in the hopes of becoming a lawyer. \u201c… So I can defend any girl that is undergoing the same situation that I am passing through; so that I can help those girls who are molested, those girls people are using\u2026 <\/span>those girls who feel like they don\u2019t belong to the world.<\/b>\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Instead of dwelling on the evil she\u2019s suffered, Hamisi concludes the interview by accepting responsibility for her future. Her confidence and determination are a call to arms for others overcoming trauma: <\/span><\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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If I give up, I shut out my dream. But if I rise up and continue moving, I can be whatever I want. <\/span>Nobody can stop me.<\/b>\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n

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If you\u2019d like to enable other survivors to overcome, please consider joining our work. Without our donors, we can\u2019t reach other exploited children like Hamisi. To rescue a child today, fill out the form below. <\/span><\/h5>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n