When a report comes in that a child has not returned from school, a quick response is imperative. This high-risk situation is something parents often never believe will happen to them and their child, until it does.

*Sasha, a 15-year-old girl, began accepting free lifts to school from a friendly motorcyclist. Being an older man from her community, Sasha assumed he was a safe person—someone she could trust.

The man would tell her that he was passing by her school on his way to work, and that giving her a lift would save her a long walk in the dust. Sasha thought he was just being kind. Over time, he began offering her small amounts of money for lunch, slowly gaining her trust and lowering her guard. Sasha was unaware of the signs of

grooming and had no reason to suspect his intentions.

One afternoon, Sasha was surprised to find the man waiting for her after school. He told her that because she had accepted his money, she now owed him a favour. That was the last time Sasha was seen by her family that day.

Thanks to the swift and collaborative efforts of local government agencies and our team of professionals, Sasha was found and brought to safety. She is now receiving the support and care she needs to heal from this traumatic experience.

At SAFE INTERNATIONAL, we are committed to supporting children like Sasha, and their families, through every step of their recovery journey—from immediate rescue to long-term healing. Your generous gifts this winter help provide critical support to

vulnerable children, ensuring they have the resources they need to rebuild their lives.

Together, we can make a difference and keep more children safe from harm.

*To safeguard children's privacy and protect their identities, we use pseudonyms in our communications and publications.