In October 2023, PRC successfully rescued 11 children from trafficking and exploitation, and in collaboration with partnering agencies and law enforcement,
had 5 predators/traffickers arrested.
News from PRC The Philippines
Rescue Operations
We’re thrilled to share two successful Philippine rescue operations in October. First, a successful rescue in cooperation with the Philippine National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), which resulted in the safe retrieval of a one-year-and-seven-month-old baby boy. The child is in good health, and our joint investigation is progressing. It's worth noting that we have only been a registered charity in the Philippines for a few short months, and have now participated in two significant child rescue operations in partnership with the NBI. Both of these cases have garnered national attention, and we extend our gratitude to the Philippine media for their efforts to raise awareness about child trafficking and exploitation.
GMA Regional TV: "Two women allegedly selling children, arrested by the NBI in Urdaneta City, Pangasinan"
Second, following months of diligent work by our DarkWeb team on an investigation regarding the illicit sale of newborn babies by child traffickers, in conjunction with Philippine law enforcement and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), PRC executed a covert sting operation. This operation led to the successful rescue of a six-day-old infant, and the apprehension of two individuals involved in trafficking.
We extend our sincere appreciation to Chief Etang, the Philippine police, and the DSWD for their continued dedication and support of PRC's mission.
Partnerships
In October, PRC Philippines had the privilege of receiving an invitation to meet with key representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in the Philippines to explore potential partnership opportunities. This is particularly remarkable given our relatively brief presence in the Philippines, spanning less than half a year.
The DSWD plays a central role in addressing issues related to child trafficking and exploitation. At PRC, a substantial portion of our resources and funding is directed towards the recovery, care, and overall development of the children we rescue. While the act of rescuing is undeniably important, it constitutes only a fraction of the comprehensive efforts we undertake.
We take great pride in the significant progress we have achieved in this area thus far. Providing aftercare for the children we rescue is of utmost significance, as it contributes to their healing, recovery, and sets them on a path towards a promising future, encompassing further education and employment opportunities as they mature.
New Centre
Finally, a glimpse of the property in the Philippines we have acquired for our first fully owned rescue and rehabilitation centre here. This achievement has been made feasible through the generous contributions of those who participated in and donated to our October fundraising event in London (additional details of this can be found at the end of this newsletter).
News from PRC The Gambia
At the beginning of the month, our PRC team made a journey to meet with the Alkalos, the village leaders who graciously offered their land to PRC for the construction of our new free school in The Gambia. The children from these villages undertake a daily trek of 3 kilometres to school and another 3 kilometres back home, passing through the villages and along a main road leading to the Senegal border. When PRC initially engaged in discussions with the village leaders, they too voiced their concerns about the safety of their young children, some as young as 5 years old, walking such a considerable distance to access education.
The below still taken from drone footage showcases the piece of land located between the two villages that have generously donated their adjacent properties to PRC. This enables us to construct our new school in close proximity to where the children reside. Furthermore, this initiative will involve the installation of a new bore water well for a fresh water supply and access to electricity.
Thank you to our donors who kindly support PRC. Your contributions directly contribute to our mission of protecting, educating, rescuing, and rehabilitating children. We are committed to maintaining transparency in how your donations are utilised, and we eagerly anticipate sharing the progress of the school construction with all of you.
News from PRC Uganda
We are pleased to share the successful rescue of nine children, which has prompted the Ugandan police to initiate a determined search for the owner of PURE LOVE UGANDA, a Ugandan NGO, over allegations of child trafficking for sexual exploitation.
Pure Love Uganda (PLUG), as indicated on its website, presents itself as an organisation focused on supporting children and widows. The NGO enrols disadvantaged children from various regions of the country and sponsors their education, offering care and welfare through the assistance of supporters from America.
Regrettably, it came to light in October 2022 that the director of the organisation had physically and sexually assaulted young female beneficiaries who were under the care of the NGO. After extensive surveillance and investigative efforts, a PRC-funded operation was executed, resulting early in October in the rescue of a total of nine children. These rescued children include six males, aged between 14 and 20, and three females, aged between 15 and 18.
As depicted in the below image, the transportation of rescued children remains a significant challenge. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we are proactively taking steps to resolve this problem by acquiring a second-hand minivan to improve our transportation capabilities.
Other Good News
UK Fundraiser
On October 6th, PRC held its inaugural End Child Trafficking event at Nobu Hotel in London, UK. The evening was truly spectacular, and thanks to the generosity of our attendees and donors, we managed to raise an incredible £81,568.56. This significant sum has enabled us to acquire a property in the Philippines (detailed at the head of the newsletter) where we will establish our very first rescue and rehabilitation centre, operated entirely by PRC. This centre will offer essential support and offer a safe haven for children rescued from dire circumstances.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the vendors who generously provided their services and the fantastic companies and individuals who donated auction items. This achievement wouldn't have been possible without your support, and that of all the wonderful attendees who created a warm and loving atmosphere throughout the event.
Christmas Lunch Appeal
We are excited to announce that, for the fourth consecutive year, this holiday season we will once again be creating unforgettable memories for the children at our rescue centre in Kenya and the students at the PRC-sponsored Kenyan school. However, this year, with your support, we aspire to extend this to the children in our centre in The Gambia, and to survivors of child sacrifice in Uganda.
In The Gambia, the Christmas lunch will take place at the Bamboo Village Resort, while in Kenya, it will be held at the Oyugis Splash Fun Park. For the children in Uganda, a special celebration will be hosted at the Llori Kids Play Village. But that's not all – we have a significant and exciting surprise in store for many more children in Uganda, which we will unveil on the day of the event!
Photo taken at a previous PRC Christmas Lunch in West Kenya
For these children, this day is a source of joy and lasting memories, and you can play a pivotal role in making it happen. The cost of a cup of coffee can provide two children with a hearty buffet this Christmas, filling their tummies with nourishing food. All the funds raised will be directly allocated to this special day.
Every child deserves to experience a magical Christmas, and we express our heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of our donors who contribute to making this a reality. To get involved, please visit this link: https://donorbox.org/christmas-lunch
We want to express our sincere thanks to our amazing donors, volunteers, and supporters. Your unwavering dedication and generosity are making a significant and positive impact on the lives of trafficking and exploitation survivors around the world.
Your support is what keeps us going, enabling us to offer vital resources, rehabilitation programs, and a safe refuge for those who have endured unimaginable hardships. Thank you for all that you do.