A young girl reunites with her family in Niger after years apart
Emna* carried a burden no child should ever need to bear.
Trafficked from her homeland of Niger, she found herself in Tunisia. Away from the comfort and security of her family, she was thrust into an unfamiliar world, one filled with uncertainty and fear.
Her path to healing began in early 2020 when, at the age of nine, SOS Children's Villages Tunisia took her under their care following a judicial order by the child protection delegate in Sfax, a coastal city in Tunisia.
From that moment, Emna’s life took a new direction toward safety, care and hope.
The challenge of child trafficking in West Africa
Emna is one of many children affected by illegal migration and human trafficking. In West Africa, three out of four trafficking victims are children, with many exploited into forced labour as domestic workers. Traffickers target vulnerable people and those in difficult circumstances, with children being the most vulnerable.
Tunisia has seen an influx of migrant children. There are an estimated 1,800 accompanied and unaccompanied migrant children in Tunisia, according to the Ministry of Family, Women, Children, and Seniors. As a key partner of child care authorities in Tunisia, SOS Children’s Villages provides critical care for many of these children while their families are being located.
Safe at last
In Emna’s case, local authorities were alerted that she was a victim of illegal migration and trafficking, although the exact circumstances are unclear.
She arrived at SOS Children's Villages in Mahres, a quiet sanctuary far from the chaos she had known. At first, it was overwhelming: new faces, unfamiliar language, and a home that felt safe. The first time she saw her caregiver, Mama Amel, Emna froze. Without hesitation, Mama Amel knelt to her, speaking softly. “You are safe here, Emna. This is your home now.”
A senior psychologist, Ms. Sarra, emphasized that Emna's rehabilitation helped her feel safe again by rebuilding daily routines. “Before delving into her past and the difficulties she may have faced, we tried to guarantee her psychological stability by enrolling her in school like all children her age,” she said.
Care, healing, and new beginnings
At SOS Children's Villages, Emna discovered things she had once believed impossible: the sound of laughter, the joy of playing with other children, and the feeling of belonging. She learned how to hold a pencil, read, and write her name, a small victory that made her proud.
Mama Amel never missed a chance to remind Emna that she mattered and was cherished. Every evening, Emna returned from school to open arms and a soft voice asking, “How was your day, sweetheart?” And each time, Emna’s voice grew stronger: “It was good, Mama.”
Reuniting with family
As the years passed, Emna flourished in school, earning praise for her curiosity and quick mind. Her teachers would often mention how much she had grown, not just in knowledge but in confidence. She had become someone her peers looked up to.
Emna loved her life at SOS Children’s Villages, but never stopped thinking about her parents and siblings in Niger.
SOS Children’s Villages Tunisia worked with Niger’s diplomatic staff in Libya, a neighbouring country and a key transit point for migrants, to identify and eventually locate Emna’s parents. Once her family had been found, our teams gathered essential information on their socio-economic conditions and emotional environment, ensuring Emna would return to a safe and stable home.
A new chapter: Going home to Niger
One morning, Emna, now 13 years old, received the news: her biological family had been found. She was going home to Niger.
A few days later, Emna folded her clothes carefully, her hands trembling slightly as she placed her favourite dress on top. Mama Amel sat beside her on the edge of the bed, holding her hand gently. “You are going home, my love,” Mama Amel said softly. “But remember, a part of you will always be here, with us. And no matter where life takes you, you are loved. You are never alone.”
In September 2024, it was time for Emna's departure. The other children stood around her, offering hugs and handmade cards, their faces a mix of smiles and tears. At Tunis Carthage Airport, Emna felt mixed emotions, excitement to see her parents and siblings and sadness about leaving the family she had found at SOS Children's Villages. But she knew that wherever life took her, she would carry the memories she had collected and the love she had experienced. And so, Emna went home to a future she could face with courage.
*Name changed to protect privacy.