Aside from the provision of shelter support, the Outreach department works directly with the community by identifying victims of human trafficking who have undergone exploitation within and outside Kenya. This could be through direct calls to the organization’s helpline, referral by previous beneficiaries or self-referral after getting wind of what HAART does from awareness campaigns.
After a thorough screening process to verify that they are indeed a victim of human trafficking, a needs assessment is conducted to better understand the survivors needs and plan on their aftercare journey. Through a participatory approach, the survivor and Caseworker develop a case plan for a clear roadmap towards empowerment. This approach fosters a sense of ownership and accountability for the survivor’s journey.
The services offered cover a wide spectrum, addressing basic needs, basic education, skills training (TVET), legal aid, medical, psychosocial support, and economic empowerment. This holistic approach acknowledges the different needs of survivors and aims to address them comprehensively. The focus on economic empowerment through internal training sessions and support in developing business plans is important. Empowering survivors with financial independence significantly reduces the risk of re-trafficking and ensures their sustainability.
The department is committed to monitoring the impact of its programs by conducting follow up visits and creating feedback channels like the departmental hotline where survivors can call to raise their concerns. This allows for continuous improvement and ensures the success of future initiatives.
We also engage survivors in capacity-building exercises, awareness campaigns, and legal clinics to not only empower them, but also empower them to advocate for themselves and others. This approach ensures that survivors are not just supported to heal but become advocates in the fight against human trafficking.
The Outreach Care Department generally uses a comprehensive and participatory approach to offer holistic care and ensure survivors are empowered to lead a dignified, self-sustaining life beyond their traumatic experiences.
HAART operates a shelter that hosts girls/women with lived experience of human trafficking to provide a safe space to recover from their traumatic experiences. In this safe space, we support them as they take the steps towards reintegration in their communities or for repatriation if they were trafficked to Kenya from other countries. Assistance offered ranges from basic needs to medical and psychological support to education. When in line with the individuals’ needs and wishes, we also trace and reach out to survivors’ families before they reunite.
In the shelter, women or girls are first provided with their basic needs – and this is much more than just a roof above their heads. The HAART shelter offers a safe, trauma-informed, and conducive place away from the traffickers. Social workers who are trained on particularities of human trafficking and its often devastating effects are 24/7 in the shelter. Food, clothing, and shelter are provided. At each step, adult residents are consulted and lead the way in any measures taken. For unaccompanied children, we work with the relevant authorities and guardians, always bringing into consideration the informed opinion of that child. In our day-to-day activities, we uphold high standards of security to keep the shelter a safe room for recovery and development.
Psychosocial support and medical care are among the first needs that are explored and offered when needed. Shelter residents also receive educational support that may take the form of in-house training (more information on these below).
The HAART Shelter is one of the very few in the country that exclusively hosts survivors of human trafficking. We believe that this is the best way to respond to needs that are particular for many survivors of trafficking.
HAART supports survivors of human trafficking right after their escape or rescue as well as at a later stage. Most survivors of human trafficking rescue themselves from a situation of force, humiliation, and exploitation. Sometimes, HAART is alerted by family members, in other instances, officials reach out to HAART to assist survivors of trafficking immediately after their rescue. Many alerts reach us through the Helpline and via Social Media. Since our resources are limited and our expertise is specific, it is first established that a person is a survivor of human trafficking. In other cases where help is needed, we refer to other institutions.
After the screening, HAART can either support a survivor of human trafficking in our shelter or through outreach care that supports survivors in their own environment and community. Our direct assistance takes into consideration the needs of the survivors’ families and individual wishes, be it school fees for survivors’ children or information about trauma for family members.
Survivors who are motivated to fight human trafficking need further cooperation. We support them in their advocacy work through capacity building and creation of opportunities. For survivors who received direct assistance from HAART, settled into the community of their choice, who have regained mental stability and have settled in economically, HAART offers participation in the Survivor Leadership Program.
