*Survivor name changed for privacy
Aisha * was only 17 when her world changed. She left her village in Eastern Uganda believing she found work at a domestic job in neighboring Kenya. But the promise was a lie.
What awaited her instead was exploitation, isolation, and fear. Far from home, in a country where she had no family, no freedom, and no way to reach out for help, Aisha found herself trapped in a nightmare.
It was during a local outreach campaign in Nairobi that Aisha was finally seen. A grassroots organization identified signs of trafficking and stepped in. From there, a cross-border collaboration began. Together, a Kenyan NGO partner, the Kenya Police Service, and Our Rescue coordinated efforts to bring Aisha home. At the border between Kenya and Uganda, she was met and safely repatriated, a moment that marked the start of a new chapter for her.
The reunion with her foster family was emotional and full of hope. But healing doesn’t happen overnight. Recognizing the trauma she had endured, the Our Rescue Survivor Care team immediately enrolled Aisha in a comprehensive reintegration program. She received psychosocial counselling to begin her healing process, medical support to restore her health, and basic welfare assistance to her and her one-year-old baby to stabilize her environment.
Today, she’s not just surviving, she’s building a future for herself. Aisha is now enrolled in a hairdressing course, learning to braid, style, and manage a business of her own. Her dream? To open a beauty shop in her town and employ and uplift other young women like her.
“I thought my life was over when I was in Kenya. But coming home and being given another chance, to learn, to earn, and to live, has brought back my hope,” Aisha said.
Hope and healing are possible when survivors are met with rescue, care, and opportunity. When we Rise Up, Together, we make an impact.