Sixty-Nine Liberian Children Freed from Traffickers in Mali, Return Home Safel

Monrovia, Liberia: The sorrow of the Liberian people is etched deeply in the hearts of the sixty-nine souls—among them, several innocent children—who were deceived by false promises and abandoned far from home. Lured by the dream of a better life in Europe, they found themselves stranded in Mali, victims of human traffickers whose lies left them stranded in a foreign land with no hope of escape.

According to the Liberian Investigator an online news platform, They were promised opportunities, but instead, they were thrust into a hellish reality. The children, whose faces once sparkled with hope, had their innocence stolen as they endured the harsh and degrading conditions in a foreign country. The agony of their plight was far too real for the families waiting at home, unsure of whether they would ever see their loved ones again.

The story, however, does not end there. The rescue operation that followed was nothing short of a testament to the resilience of the Liberian spirit and the power of compassion. The Child Protection Network of Liberia (CPNL), together with Kyne’s Hands Foundation, worked tirelessly to bring them back to the safety and warmth of their homeland. The Government of Liberia, through the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection, helped coordinate their safe return, but the heart-wrenching journey they endured before their repatriation will forever mark their memories.

Deputy Minister for Children and Social Protection, Madam Garmai S. Tokpah, expressed deep sorrow over their ordeal. She spoke of the shattered dreams, the pain of families torn apart by deceit, and the heavy burden of reintegrating these victims into a society that could not fully comprehend the suffering they had endured. The government’s work to reunite the returnees with their families has been slow, especially for those coming from remote areas like Grand Cape Mount County, but the hope is there, fragile yet steadfast.

Keifala Kromah, the CPNL Chairperson, spoke with palpable sorrow as he confirmed their return on March 20, 2025. They had been tricked by travel agents who had promised them the world, only to abandon them in a foreign land, desperate and forgotten. Even as they returned to the embrace of their families, the scars of their journey would never fully heal. The trauma they carry—especially for the children—is far deeper than any material aid can mend.

Yet, even in the midst of their suffering, there were glimmers of hope. Kyne’s Hands Foundation stepped in, offering support when it was most needed. They provided resources for transportation, school supplies, and clothing, and pledged to stand by the children in their healing process. The foundation’s mission, to uplift and protect vulnerable children, was a beacon of light in the dark days of these children’s lives.

Though they are back home, the journey of recovery is just beginning. These children, once full of dreams, will have to find their way in a world that has dealt them an unjust hand. Their stories are a painful reminder of the dangers lurking in the shadows of promises too good to be true. As they are slowly reintegrated into their communities, one can only hope that they will find peace, but their past will haunt them always.

For those who helped them return, this moment is bittersweet. The work is not done. The real challenge lies in offering these children not just shelter and food, but the love, care, and protection that every child deserves. The sorrow of their journey will not fade quickly, but the promise of healing and safety remains—faint yet hopeful.