Sister Victoria Šimić, SCSC, a member of the RENATE network and the Delegate for the prevention of
human trafficking for the Archdiocese of Đakovo-Osijek, has continued her school visits this
academic year, engaging with schools that express interest in her workshops.
She visited the elementary school in Sikirevci for the second time, conducting workshops for three
different classes (about 14 years old). The students showed great interest in the visual and textual
material presented, and they participated diligently in group activities, reflecting on the various
forms of human trafficking and the reasons why it occurs.
At this school, four consecutive
generations of students have now been introduced to this phenomenon, which is present in nearly
every country worldwide. Notably, the topic of “human trafficking” does not end with the workshop
itself; discussions continue among the children, within their families, and throughout the school.
Furthermore, the religious education teacher has been inspired to continue exploring this subject
with the youth, utilizing films mentioned during the workshop, specifically the film about St. Bakhita
and *Sound of Freedom*. A brief report on the visit has been published on the school’s website.
On October 8, 2026, a workshop was held for the first time at the elementary school in Komletinci,
following a recommendation from a teacher at the school, which was supported by the Principal. The
workshop was conducted for 7th and 8th-grade students.
A week later, on October 15, 2026, Sister Victoria visited the elementary school in Račinovci and held
a workshop for students in grades 5 through 8. She made an exception in this case, as she knows all
the students personally, having been their teacher for many years. Consequently, at this
school, located right on the border with Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, preventive workshops
have now been conducted for seven generations of students.
The final workshop in October, aimed at 8th-grade students, will take place on October 22, 2026, at
the elementary school in Cerna. Sister Victoria also visited this school two years ago for the same
purpose.
The schedule for November is mostly full, with a different school being visited each week. More on
that another time.
Regarding the European Day Against Trafficking in Human Beings, the 20th such observance, Sister
Victoria wrote a special prayer the day before and shared it via social media with dozens of her
contacts.
Below is the prayer, followed by a few noteworthy reactions:
God, Father of all people, You gave the world a Savior, yet many have still not heard of Him.
In an age of such advanced technological achievements, teach us how to use all these tools
so that Jesus Christ, the greatest Treasure, may be known, accepted, and loved by every
person. God the Creator, You created humanity through Jesus and for Jesus, what sublime dignity
this bestows upon every woman and man!
Yet, millions of people, currently around 50 million, live as slaves; they are bought and sold,
exploited and abused. I believe, O Lord, that my prayer can encompass the entire world.
Help my unbelief!