Justice is Healing

Every day ten year old Akara asked her mom if she could go to school but her mom said they couldn’t afford the books, uniform, or yearly fee. One day a rich man and woman came to her village and offered to let Akara work for their family in the city, and in return they would pay her to go to school. Her mother was elated that their daughter would have such an incredible opportunity and finally be able to get the education she desired.

The next morning Akara left for the city with this family and was told to stay in a small room at the back of their house, separate from the rest of the family. She was given a grueling load of housekeeping tasks and numerous errands to run every day. Days went by, and Akara was consistently forced to work over twelve hours a day and never given the opportunity to go to school. One night, the man snuck into her room and raped her.

Weeks went by and Akara was raped many times. Unable to contact her mom, Akara began to lose hope for her future. One day she was asked to go buy groceries at the market. While at the market she saw a police officer and timidly approached him, knowing this was likely her last opportunity to get help. Law enforcement immediately investigated the couple exploiting Akara and found evidence of rape, labor trafficking and numerous forms of exploitation.

Akara was brought to Rapha International and re-connected with her family. Her mom was horrified to hear what Akara had experienced and relieved she was finally in a safe place. Rapha social workers worked with Akara’s family to provide Akara with counseling, medical care and education. Rapha’s lawyers advocated for justice and after months of work, the man and woman who mistreated Akara were finally put on trial. The entire Survivor Care Campus celebrated with Akara when the couple who had exploited her were charged with their crimes. Akara kept in touch with her family throughout her time at Rapha until she was ready to reintegrate back into her community.

*Akara’s story represents the experiences of thousands of girls who have received care at Rapha.