West and Central Africa

Child trafficking is a complex reality in West and Central Africa. Many different circumstances contribute to the situation including extreme poverty, lack of economic opportunities, insufficient or inaccessible educational opportunities, ignorance of the risks of trafficking within traditional communities, high demand for cheap and submissive labor, and the greed and ruthlessness of predators.

A 2002 Anti-Slavery International article states that there are “tens of thousands” of children who are trafficked in West Africa each year. The majority of children who are trafficked work as domestics, as live-in servants. “…in West and Central Africa most are children as young as five years old.”

Please pray for children who have been and are currently trafficked through the corridors of Central and West Africa.

Pray that children in these situations are able to escape and will receive help with counseling, education and medical care.

Please pray that they will be reintegrated into their former lives or repatriated to their home countries.

Pray that the root causes of trafficking will be addressed and resolved.

Please pray that the public in these countries and around the world will be made aware of the dangers to children and the consequences of child trafficking.

Pray that more countries in Central and West Africa will work together and collaborate with nongovernmental organizations to stop child trafficking.

Please pray that these countries will adopt legislation to combat trafficking and punish those who profit from this heinous industry.

Request submitted by Assembly of God in Lome, Togo