In late January, IJM and partners worked diligently to rescue three young boys ages 9, 10, and 12. The children spent around seven months to two years enslaved on Lake Volta in Ghana.
The rescue went smoothly; it was the first lake operation of the year and one of the swiftest, most peaceful rescues that IJM Ghana has conducted. This was largely due to the effective collaboration of our partners.
Upon rescue, the team discovered that the 12-year-old had a severe fever. He shared that he had been ill for about a week, but still was forced to work on the lake. He was diagnosed with malaria and received care at the hospital.
As soon as the morning after rescue, the children began to notice the difference it made to wake up in freedom. One of the children reflected,
“at this very time, my boat master would be screaming go do this or that or else I am going to beat you up.”
Instead, the boys are now in a safe care home receiving proper medical care and education.
The rescue additionally led to the arrest of one suspect who will appear in court later this month.
Hear frontline stories from IJM Ghana’s Director of Casework at Liberate 2020 on Saturday 28 March. More information and tickets here.
