Fill Your Mind With Namara: Human Trafficking Interview with Survivor Francisca Mbuli

In Africa, Africa Innovators and Influencers, Fill Your Mind With Namara by Mary Kurek

Modern slavery:  it exists, and that isn’t the only problem, a lot of us don’t know it…and that’s why I’m here.  We will learn about it
together.

Now, many of us would be surprised by the fact that slavery still exists, especially after having an entire topic in our history classes
dedicated to how it was abolished. But unfortunately, it wasn’t completely abolished.

A quick Google search defines human trafficking as “the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercially
beneficial act. Traffickers use fraud or coercion to lure their victims and force them into labor or commercial sexual exploitation.” This
basically means that they use falsehood and trickery, for example, through fake job advertisements to get you into their hands, which leads to
them using you for their own commercial gain.  You know the saying “not all heroes wear capes” – keep that in mind as
we go on.

Francisca Mbuli, Founder, Survivor’s Network, Cameroon

I  had the amazing opportunity to conduct a one-on-one interview with a victim of human trafficking – Miss Francisca Mbuli. I learned so much, as she is not just a victim but also a survivor which on its own already makes her a hero.  (It’s time to refer to that saying.)From the interview, I learned that human traffickers can exploit every part of you because they are in it for the money and that is why they target anyone and everyone, but, for the most part, people who desperately need something (like a job) would be most susceptible as a target. Also, most third world countries have associated going abroad with immediate success, which makes them more liable to being lured into what seems like profitable travel but leads them to become victims.

Human trafficking can happen in the most unlikely places and most unexpected ways; that’s why it is really up to us to be mindful and more observant in situations we put ourselves in because the traffickers make any situation seem legitimate.  And, it only stays legitimate until the victim realizes that it’s not.  Now, after one realizes the trouble they are in, it is usually difficult to get out of the situation and to escape the trauma that follows.  Luckily, there are more mechanisms being created day by day to help victims get back on their feet and become survivors.

The full interview with Miss Mbuli is available below, and watching this interview will introduce you to such an inspirational story and help you protect yourself from facing similar situations.

I’ve provided resource links below the video for more information on human trafficking.

Signs of Trafficking And How to Report Suspected Trafficking  https://sharedhope.org/takeaction/rep..

Contact for Miss Awah Francisca:   

Make sure to connect with Miss. Awah Francisca


Namara Lwansa (Teen Author and Youth Impact Leader, Frontrunners League)  Blog Author:  Fill Your Mind with Namara

Namara Lwansa is a young student from Tanzania whose speaking and writing talents have already started carving a leadership path for her in areas of Africa.  The youngest Frontrunners League member is now the first African blogger in the new section of this magazine dedicated to African Influencers and Innovators.  Fill Your Mind is Namara’s contribution in blog form, often accompanied by video interviews that will include content relevant to everyday things, modern-day issues, and global situations…all of which will help Fill Your Mind to let your voice be heard.  You’ll find Namara’s blog in the menu of the magazine in the dropdown under “African Influence.”

If you have a story, comment, or wish to make contact with Namara, please use the contact form here.