It was a deeply insightful moment when two of our beneficiaries courageously shared their life experiences on Lake Volta. These testimonies form an important part of our advocacy efforts against child trafficking. Today, we spotlight Emmanuel’s story, one of resilience, hope, and the transformative power of support.
Emmanuel, now 16 years old, is a Junior High School (JHS 2) student at Senya A.M.E Zion C Basic School. Born and raised in Senya, he lived with his parents and siblings and attended school until the COVID-19 lockdown disrupted life for his family. With his father unable to provide consistently and his mother out of work during the lockdown, financial hardship intensified.
At just 12 years old, Emmanuel suggested going to live with his grandmother near Lake Volta to work and help support the family. Although his mother initially objected, he eventually went to Yeji, where he began working as a fisher boy. His duties included casting fishing nets, scooping water from canoes, and diving underwater to untangle nets , demanding tasks for a child. His days typically began around 3:00 a.m. and ended late in the afternoon, leaving him exhausted and out of school.
During this period, Emmanuel experienced a frightening incident on the lake when a storm caused their boat to capsize. Although he eventually recovered, he continued working afterward, with little opportunity for rest or recovery.
Despite these challenges, Emmanuel never lost his desire for education. He asked his mother to arrange his return to Senya so he could resume school, but this was initially resisted because of the work he was doing. Eventually, his father reported the situation to Challenging Heights. Through our intervention, Emmanuel was rescued, rehabilitated, and successfully reintegrated with his family.
Today, Emmanuel is back in school and making steady academic progress. He is preparing to sit for the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) next year and remains determined to build a brighter future. Beyond academics, he nurtures a dream of becoming a professional footballer and is working hard to achieve it.
Emmanuel’s journey highlights both the risks children face and the powerful impact of timely intervention. At Challenging Heights, we remain committed to advocating against child trafficking, supporting affected children, and ensuring they have the opportunity to learn, grow, and pursue their dreams.