Week of the International Day of Prayer and Awareness against Human Trafficking in Rome, Italy

An employee of Vatra Center, together with 3 other young people from Albania, took part in the week of the International Day of Prayer and Awareness against Human Trafficking, occurring from February 2nd to February 9^th, organized from Talitha Kum. A group of about 40 volunteers perform a promotional video, “flash-mob” style, in Rome’s central Santa Maria in Trastevere Square Feb. 6, 2024, with music, clapping and holding aloft handmade signs with words like, “Freedom,” “Hope,” “Stand together,” “Dignity” and “Respect” in different languages.  

In Albania, on February 8th, 2024, URAT Network honoured St. Bakhita Day with over 50 community members, youths, representatives from various religious congregations, and frontline anti-trafficking organisations joined forces at Famullia Shën Dominiku – Durrës, for an enlightening interfaith program.

St. Bakhita’s story is one of triumph over adversity. Originating from South Sudan, she endured the atrocities of slavery before emerging as a ray of hope for victims of human trafficking globally. 

Our event provided a platform to listen, dream, and act, echoing this year’s theme of the International Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking. 

Participating in the event offered valuable insights into the complexities of trafficking and various approaches to combatting it. Attendees gained a deeper understanding of the root causes of trafficking and its evolving forms.