What happens after a child has escaped from slavery?
How does one rebuild a broken childhood?

Thousands of minors are trafficked every year on the West African coast, sold by their families for ridiculous amounts, such as 30 euros, in exchange for a vague promise of a supposedly better life, which translates into a situation of slavery, physical and psychological abuse, working from sunrise to sunset, years away from their places of origin and families. The main cause for this calamity is rooted in extreme poverty and in the normalization of these behaviors due to ignorance of children’s rights.

This project, carried out in shelters run by Messengers of Peace, Salesian Missions and the Carmelite Vedruna Sisters in Togo, Benin and Gabon for 3 years, documents what it is like to return a child slave to society in the 21st century. It shows us that there is a “back door” that some of these thousands of child slaves find, open and successfully pass through in Sub-Saharan Africa, the region with the highest incidence of child exploitation on the planet, where one in four children live under some form of slavery.

In Guinea Bissau, 70% of the population lives below the poverty line. The permanent political instability and scarcity of resources in the country have a catastrophic impact on education and childhood. Some indicators are alarming: 5% of children die before turning 5 years old and only one in two will finish primary education.

Being a child in Guinea Bissau is a real obstacle course. The situation becomes more complex for infants with functional diversity. 16% of children between 5 and 17 years old have some type of disability and they live with a strong stigma. The belief that they are not human beings, but an incarnation of the devil, is socially widespread. Many children in rural areas are abandoned by their families or even sacrificed due to superstition and fear.

Access to health, education, social assistance and other basic services is extremely limited. In this context, civil society associations and NGOs such as Humanity & Inclusion strive to promote the rights of people with functional diversity, and fight to combat stigma and discrimination.

Beyond statistics, people with disabilities are one of the most vulnerable groups in the world. Stronger than stigma documents the reality experienced by children with functional diversity in Guinea Bissau who, without the support and understanding of their families and the entire community, face enormous challenges in order to survive.

‘They’re shutting us down’ is a project that began at the end of 2020 when Naturgy, the energy provider, decided to cut off the electricity supply of 4,500 people who live in sector VI and V of La Cañada Real.

It’s easily said and harder to bear. When the lamps went out on October 2, 2020 in a large sector of La Cañada Real Galiana, no one thought it would be so long without a response from the authorities. Some looking the other way because it’s not their responsibility, others only visualising land for future brick-and-mortar businesses in the shadows of a precarious neighbourhood.

Gone are the winter holidays –never so wintry– and Christmas parties of lightless trees and unrefrigerated cider. Storm Filomena seemed to wake up the population of Madrid who, up to that point, were more willing to point their criminalizing finger than to empathise with the dramatic situation experienced by 4,500 people from sectors V and VI of La Cañada. In particular, with those 1,812 minors that not even the intervention of United Nations organizations has been able to protect.

“One Day I Will” (ODIW) is a compelling art initiative by Vincent Tremeau, which captures the aspirations of children in crisis zones through photography. Children are photographed dressed up as their dream professions, offering a window into their hopes, despite their challenging circumstances. The project, documented in areas ravaged by conflict and natural disasters, showcases the resilience and dreams of children. Exhibited globally and recognized by prestigious outlets like National Geographic and CNN, it emphasizes the strength of the human spirit and the role of photography in fostering empathy.

Building on this, ODIW.org emerges as a non-profit organization which aims to transform these dreams into reality. It focuses on empowering these children through education, training, community art projects, and global awareness. By targeting children affected by conflict, poverty, and disasters, the organization seeks to provide the tools necessary for achieving their ambitions. With activities spanning educational funding, artistic initiatives, mentorship, and storytelling, ODIW.org not only aims to provide immediate aid but also to foster long-term resilience and leadership among the children it supports. The organization is maintained thanks to donations and the support of associations that strive to create a better future for children living in the shadows of crisis, through awareness, education and direct support.