Child Slavery in Ghana
In Ghana, thousands of children live on Lake Volta, working 18-hour days in dangerous and abusive conditions. They spend every waking moment in boats, fishing and diving into treacherous water to retrieve nets.
In 2017, I led a talented group of storytellers to Ghana to reignite the story of rescue. Using powerful story and haunting imagery, we launched a fall campaign to awaken the world once again to slavery in our midst.
Photography by Jeremy Snell; Films by NOVO and Adam Joe; Copywriter, Brady Peters; Graphic Design, Sarita Loredo
One small boy. One huge lake. Foli was a slave. Immerse yourself in his story.
Thousands of children between the ages of 6 and 18 live in slavery on Lake Volta, working up to 18 hours a day in the fishing industry. For these young children, the only way out of slavery is to drown or be rescued. Children just like Foli.* Visit ijm.org/foli to send rescue today.
Film by Lindsay Branham and Andrew Ellis
2018 Webby Award People's Voice Winner: Public Service & Activism
97th Annual ADC Award, Silver Cube: 2018 Interactive: Online / Mobile / Online Video - Single
58th American Advertising Awards, Best in Show: Public Service Online Film, Video & Sound
61st CINE Golden Eagle Award for Professional Media: Scripted Content, Short—Live Action
2018 Mountain Film Festival Official Selection
2018 Patagonia Film Festival Official Selection
God we have awaken and we are going for fishing.
I pray that, oh Father Lord, as we are about to set this net,
I pray that you protect and put your hands around it,
that it does not go that deep that it would get stuck
and they would ask me to go an untangle it.
Thousands of children like Godson, Gideon and Foli* in Ghana live in slavery on Lake Volta, working up to 18 hours a day in the fishing industry. For these young children, the only way out of slavery is to drown or be rescued.
Film by Adam Joe
The journey of healing and recovery after being rescued from slavery is a long one. Your support helps the IJM aftercare team in Ghana work with children just like Kofi* as they reclaim their childhood and adjust to life after slavery. There are thousands of kids who remain trapped on Lake Volta in Ghana. With a gift today, you can help us find them, bring them home and give them the care they need.
Featuring “Son” by the music artist “Sleeping at Last”.
Film by Adam Joe
