In 2010, YGAP volunteers travelled to Ghana, to help young children escape slavery, and support those who had been released.
Firstly, the volunteers renovated the ‘Freedom Centre’ orphanage in Tema, run by City of Refuge Ministries (CORM), which housed children who had been rescued from bonded labour in the fishing industry of the Volta Region. The volunteers also assisted in the children’s education.
Secondly, they travelled to Kete Krachi, a town infamous for the transition, use and exploitation of Ghana’s children. Many of the children in this region are sold into modern-day slavery from as young as three years old, and made to work up to 14 hours a day, often enduring physical and sexual abuse. PACODEP, a local grassroots volunteer organization and YGAP partner, work closely with the fishermen (‘slave masters’) to negotiate the release of children in the direst need of health, social and educational support. In Krachi, YGAP was able to participate in the rescuing of 8 children.
Thirdly, volunteers offered on-site assistance in the construction of infrastructure relating to the ‘Village of Life’ project, which aims to provide a vocational training centre for elder rescued children.
After their life-changing work in Krachi, the YGAP volunteers returned to Tema with 8 rescued children, to be united with their new ‘brothers’ and ‘sisters’ at the Freedom Centre.