TalithaKum

TANZANIA

Talithakum (TCAS) is a network that was initiated by Sr. Birgitta MSOLA in 2019 with a few religious men and women residing in Dar es Salaam.  Since the network was not strong TCAS was not officially recognised until 2021 when it was accepted as an organ of the conference of the Tanzania Catholic Association of Sisters (TCAS).  In 2022 Sr. Jansi, in collaboration with the sisters in Iringa diocese did commendable work to build capacity for 45 sisters who did the awareness campaigns and reached out to more than a lakh people directly and many more through media (radio). 

In 2023, the Sisters of St. Charles Borromeo built capacity of about 50 (religious sisters, teachers) and 153 youth in Mbeya, who went to give awareness.

The same sisters, in collaboration with sisters and fathers in Dodoma, provided capacity building program in Dodoma Diocese and 50 sisters, priests and youth in different districts of the diocese training others like sisters, priests, catechists, leaders in parishes who in schools and parishes are providing education about HT. People living in Sirari, border to Kenya were given a seminar in August 2023. To date, there are more than 20 congregations that have joined hands.  The network is getting strengthened

Vision Statement

2025: Incarnating the Kingdom of God where we

Mission Statement

To protect and raise the dignity of human beings, especially the vulnerable people

WhatsApp Image 2025-04-14 at 11.04.41 (1)

Goals / Objectives

  1. Prayer
  2. Prevention
  3. Protection, reintegration
  4. Formation
  5. Networking/partnership/partnership
  6. Advocacy
TalithaKum

KENYA

History of Talitha Kum KenyaFormerly Religious against Human Trafficking

TKI- RAHT was started in the Jubilee Year of Mercy 2016 by a group of religious congregations of women and men in Kenya. It was a response to the call of Pope Francis to concretize acts of Mercy, corporal works of mercy among those who are living on the outermost fringes of society.”

Vision Statement

“Inspired by the mercy of God, we envision a world free from human trafficking”

Mission Statement

“To uphold human dignity by collaborating to eradicate human trafficking.”

Our Core objectives

 

  • To create awareness of human trafficking and its perils at the grassroots and national levels
  • To provide holistic structures to assist those affected by human trafficking
  • To create an environment where the law of the land is upheld and enable the prosecution of human traffickers
  • To network with other organizations that uphold human dignity
  • To intensify PRAYER in ALL of the anti-human trafficking activities being undertaken

Protection: We work to ensure the protection of survivors, victims of human trafficking and vulnerable populations in the community. Our Scope in protection includes Psychosocial Support, Medical Support, Repatriation, and Shelter.

we understand the reason why the majority migrate is to find economic freedom by getting jobs. In our case, we offer small grants that help the survivors start businesses that will help them get back on their feet economically. In some extreme situations, we also offer life start-up support such as payment of rent, and buying of food and clothing as well as household items. To keep our survivors’ efforts sustainable, some are taken through TVET education. This includes training in Hairdressing, body care, technical courses, and driving among others. 

Prevention: To enhance the resilience of communities in the 25 dioceses in Kenya, one of our interactive means is through prevention work. RAHT works together with its network members and communities in advocating against human trafficking through a holistic approach as follows: -Our Prevention work includes; Advocacy Workshops, Advocacy Trainings, Mainstream media advocacy

We work together with different stakeholders in the human trafficking and human rights sphere to create awareness and protect human dignity. Through our partners, we can understand the current trends in the sphere as well as offer our expertise in our fields. The partnerships ensure that all our efforts are fruitful as we can’t work alone. As the African proverb states “Alone you can go fast, but together we can Far”.

TalithaKum

Burundi

Talitha Kum Network in Burundi (TAKUBU)

The story of Talitha Kum Burundi started in April 2023, when a group of 15 young Burundians were rescued from Kenya, where they had been stranded in terrible conditions. With support from the Kenya Association of Religious Sisters, they were provided shelter, medical care and repatriated to Burundi.

Upon their return, these survivors expressed a strong desire to raise awareness and prevent others from falling into similar traps. Their experience became the foundation for launching Talitha Kum Burundi (TAKUBU).

Formation of Talitha Kum Burundi

Recognizing the urgent need for action, Talitha Kum Kenya collaborated with the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa to establish a local network in Burundi. Where Sr. Victoire Niyonzima, SMNDA, took the lead in organizing meetings with ASUMA Burundi (Association of Major Superiors) and Church leaders, including Bishop Blaise Nzeyimana of Ruyigi.

With support from Talitha Kum International, a training program was organized in September 2024. The training, led by Sr. Yvonne Clémence Bambara (Burkina Faso), equipped the National Burundi Team with the knowledge and tools needed to combat human trafficking.

Commitment & Future Actions

At the end of the training and official launch of the network two action plans were developed:

  1. Young Ambassadors Initiative – Educating peers and communities on trafficking risks.
  2. Religious Leaders’ Engagement – Strengthening advocacy, networking, and intervention efforts.

Email:talithakumburundi@gmail.com

Team BurundiTeam Burundi

Talitha KumTinase

ETHOPIA

In Ethiopia, a workshop on Human Trafficking took place on November 10, 2019 at CMRS by Sr. Gabriella Bottani CMS. It was suggested that CMRS discuss the matter during the General Assembly on December 14, 2019 at CMRS where CMRS unanimously decided to join the Talitha Kum network. Then due to different reasons there was a moment of standby of the network.

Reawakening of Talitha Kum Tinsae Ethiopia Network 2024

The Conference of Major Religious Superiors (CMRS), on the 16th February 2024, has appointment of Sister Yamileth Bolaños, CMS, as the New National Coordinator for the religious anti-trafficking network in Ethiopia. This important nomination has allowed her and sister Gianna Benfatto, from the Contemplative Missionary Movement Charles De Foucault, to represent Talitha Kum to the General Assembly of CMRS that took place on the 9th of March in Addis Abeba, Ethiopia. In addition, we invited members of the congregations to join the network.

The Religious men and women present in the Assembly welcome the proposal with a deep and alhearterly discussion. As we were listening to the reactions, we had the impression that human trafficking is a deep wound in the heart of Ethiopian consecrated people. And there was also a strong feeling of frustration and hopelessness in some of them due to the strong presence of trafficking in person in this country. Some of the religious shared very deep and terrible experiences that they had come in contact, even of relatives who had died because of this modern slavery. At the same time the invitation to join Talitha Kum opened a window of hope that we will enlarge with our passion for ending human trafficking.

In fact, in a short time, one week after, the newly formed team of Talitha Kum Tinsae Ethiopia network met for the first time. We were eight representatives of Religious Congregations and others have also joined us. The meeting was animated and interesting and even though the members are aware of the magnitude of the problem, they shared the desire to join forces, capacities and personal commitment to work against human trafficking in Ethiopia.

Contacts:

Sr. Yamileth Bolaños, CMS, coordinator
WhatsApp number: +39 3202403028;

Address:
Talitha Kum Tinsae Ethiopia Address:
Conference of Major Religious Superiors,
P. O. Box 31246
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Arada SubCity
Woreda 06, H. No. 540

Email: ethiopia@talithakum.info
Telephone: +251 096 080 0044

Vision Statement

“We envisage an Ethiopia free from any kind of human exploitation.”

Mission Statement

To end human trafficking through collaboration and networking, journeying together with victims and survivors."

Our Core Values

  • Compassion
  • Solidarity
  • Human Dignity
  • Prayer
  • Truth
  • Empathy

Our Objectives

  • Together we transform lives with compassion towards an Ethiopia free of human trafficking.
  • To fight against human trafficking through communication and mass media, creating published materials in local languages.
  • To create networking routes and form teams in the different areas.
  • To identify committed people to be part of the national working committee.
  • To protect and empower victims and survivors of human trafficking and ensure that they are treated with dignity and respect, and provided with necessary services such as shelter, education, health care, legal aid and psychosocial support.
  • To carry out primary prevention in schools, parishes and local communities, through awareness programs for the youth, Church leaders, parents and families, community elders and government officials.
  • To carry out secondary prevention by offering advice regarding safe migration and providing relevant information about their rights and obligations in the new reality.

Members of National Team

  1. Fr Daniel Yoseph (Consolata Missionaries)
  2. Sr Bachu Gemachu (Consolata Missionaries)
  3. Sr Maureen Bennett (Missionaries of the Heart of Jesus)
  4. Sr Mulu Tesfaye (Institute Maids of the Poor)
  5. Sr Yamileth Bolaños (Comboni Missionary Sisters)
  6. Fr Burka Gelato (Society of Jesus)
  7. Sr Tsige Petros (Daughters of Charity)
  8. Ms Mekdes Diriba (Youth Ambassador)
  9. Sr Gianna Benfatto (Cont. Miss. Mov. De Foucauld Sisters)
  10. Sr Asherita Mendes (Franciscan Sisters of Mary and the Angels)
  11. Sr Vandana Kerketta (Franciscan Sisters of Mary and the Angels)
  12. Emmanuel Ologdenla (De La Salle Brothers)
  13. Yonas Mulaty, (Society of Saint Vincent de Paul)
  14. Teresa Paolos, (Franciscan Missionaries of Christ)