Prevention
Outreach for Street Children in Rwanda
In Rwanda, Footprint to Freedom, in partnership with Soul of Rwanda, works to prevent human trafficking among vulnerable street children.
These children, particularly those from second and third generations affected by the 1994 Tutsi genocide, often lack family connections and are highly vulnerable to exploitation. Our outreach uses acrobatics and circus arts as powerful tools to raise awareness and educate street children about the risks of trafficking.
The performances instill essential values like trust, responsibility, and cooperation, helping children make safer life choices and reducing their vulnerability to trafficking.
Protection
Reconnecting Street Children with Families in Rwanda
Alongside raising awareness, our work in Rwanda focuses on protecting street children through efforts to reunite them with their families or connect them with community support systems. We use circus acts as an innovative medium to build trust and open communication with these children. Through our continuous engagement, we provide safe spaces for these vulnerable children, ensuring they have access to support services and resources that reduce their risk of exploitation. Family reunification and community reintegration are core components of our protection strategy in Rwanda, offering children a stronger safety net.
Empowerment
Tailoring Program
In collaboration with Soul of Rwanda, our Tailoring Program in Rwanda empowers women and survivors of trafficking by teaching them sustainable sewing and garment production skills. This initiative provides participants with the opportunity to build a livelihood, either by securing jobs in the fashion industry or starting their own tailoring businesses.
By promoting entrepreneurship, we ensure that the women gain financial independence and contribute to the economic well-being of their communities.
Arts & Crafts Program
The Arts & Crafts Program, also run in partnership with Soul of Rwanda, allows participants to harness their creativity by producing handmade crafts such as jewelry, home decor, and accessories. Using eco-friendly and culturally significant materials, survivors are not only learning new skills but also preserving local traditions. This program is designed to offer economic empowerment through skill-building, while providing survivors anc community members with the training necessary to market and sell their products, both locally and internationally.
Acrobatics and Circus Outreach in Rwanda
Beyond prevention, our Acrobatics and Circus Outreach in Rwanda empowers street children by teaching them acrobatic and performance skills. These activities help build self-confidence, empathy, and cooperation—key traits that contribute to their personal development and future success. Circus arts also provide these children with a positive outlet for expressing themselves, helping them build a sense of identity and purpose. This empowerment gives them the tools to create a brighter future while staying connected with their communities.
Partnerships
Our success in Rwanda is made possible through strong partnerships with local organizations. Together with Soul of Rwanda and other grassroots organizations, we ensure that our prevention, protection, and empowerment initiatives reach the children and women most at risk of human trafficking.
Key Partnerships in Rwanda
- Soul of Rwanda: We collaborate closely with Soul of Rwanda to deliver our Acrobatics and Circus Outreach, Tailoring, and Arts & Crafts Programs, which empower street children and survivors of trafficking.
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