Lanka’s Story

When Lanka was a baby, her father died in a car accident. Lanka’s mother loved her very much and wanted a good life for her daughter. She worked hard to provide for Lanka and keep her in school. One day, at age 6, Lanka did not return home from school. Her mother looked everywhere and called the police. No one could find her. A month had passed and five hours away there was a little girl with a man at a train station, she would not quit crying. People began to question the man about the little girl crying and realized it was not a good situation. The man began to run away, and the people caught him and called the police. Lanka was rescued and the trafficker was taken to jail. Lanka was brought to the children’s home where we work. Lanka was able to tell the counsellor where she was from and her mother’s name. Our staff was asked to help. We contacted the police from Lanka’s hometown and asked them to find Lanka’s mother. Lanka’s mother was found and when we arrived with Lanka, she said it was a miracle for her to see her daughter again. She was so happy and thanked us over and over again. All the neighbours gathered and were happy to see Lanka. We realized the community was not aware of human traffickers. We took this opportunity to conduct a trafficking awareness program for the parents and their children. We also made sure that everyone had the Child Trafficking Hotline number. The community thanked us for returning Lanka and for the work we do to help women and children. The trafficker is now in prison. Lanka and her mother are happy and doing well.