Fighting Human Trafficking as a Survivor Leader

To mark #MyFreedomDay on March 16, a day-long student-driven event to raise awareness of human trafficking, United Way is re-publishing this blog by a person with lived experience of human trafficking. As part of our commitment to empowering survivors, United Way and Survivor Alliance have opened up applications for a new fellowship for human trafficking survivors. It's designed to equip survivors to become leaders in the anti-trafficking movement. Learn more here.

My name is Zarina*. I am from Nairobi, Kenya, and I am a survivor of human trafficking.  

I have decided to share my story with United Way because I feel that current efforts to fight human trafficking have lacked a survivor-centered approach, failing to focus their efforts on the experiences of those who have lived through human trafficking. I’m hoping that, by sharing my story, I can educate and prevent others from being trafficked as well. I’m also hoping to help rid society of the stigmas that surround human trafficking, so that survivors can work in the anti-trafficking movement to empower one another. These efforts also involve “ethical storytelling” approaches for survivor-centered organizations, so that they may be better allies and empower survivors.  

I was trafficked in 2009 by my childhood friend who promised me a job. This job was a lie, and I ended up in captivity for more than 6 months experiencing sex trafficking. I escaped when a so-called “customer” of the “business” where I was being held captive asked to take me to his home. On our way there, I took a leap of faith and got out of the car. Thankfully, he ignored my escape and did not attempt to follow me. After escaping, I had to beg in the streets of the town where I was stranded for one week so I could get enough money for transportation to get home. Eventually, I made it back to Nairobi.   

After several months back at home, I came down with a very severe cough and was becoming physically weaker as the days went on. That’s when I decided to visit the local health center, where I was diagnosed with tuberculosis and was found to be HIV positive.  

Despite the circumstances, I knew I had to accept my situation for what it was and find a way to live a whole life for my children. I started training in treatment literacy, so I could understand how to properly take my medications, and I began adherence counseling so I could learn how to be diligent with my medication plan. Through these programs, I started working as a volunteer to help others accept their HIV positive status and stick with their treatment plans. I began to work as a tuberculosis and HIV health worker and advocate, which I have continued until this day.  

I have continued to adhere to my treatment for my physical illnesses, but after many years I realized that, mentally, I was still burning with anger and very much traumatized from my trafficking experience. Eventually, I decided to reach out to my friend who is a pastor for help, and eventually was able to connect with local anti-human trafficking organizations and receive psychosocial support and therapy from a counselor.  

Around that time, Azadi Kenya, which is currently the only solely survivor-led organization in the Nairobi area, started operations. Through this survivor-led organization, I finally found a safe space to exchange experiences with my peers. Th