Her path to healing began in early 2020 when – at the age of nine – SOS Children's Villages in Tunisia took her under their care, providing protection under a judicial order by the child protection delegate in Sfax, a coastal city in Tunisia
From that moment, Emna’s life found a new path that would lead her to a place of safety and hope.
Emna represents one of the many children subject to illegal migration and human trafficking. In West Africa, for example, three out of four trafficking victims is a child, with many trafficked for forced labour as domestics. Globally, child trafficking and migration are situations that lead children to being separated from their families, according to SOS Children's Villages' Global Report.
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. SOS Children’s Villages, a key partner of the Tunisian child care authorities, plays a crucial role in providing care until biological families can be traced.
‘You are safe here’
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 Village Mahres, a quiet sanctuary far from the chaos she had known. At first, it was overwhelming: new faces, unfamiliar words, and the quiet echo of a house that felt safe. The first time she saw her caregiver, Mama Amel, Emna froze. Without hesitation, Mama Amel knelt down to her, speaking softly. “You are safe here, Emna. This is your home now.”
At the children's village, 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, how to read, and how to write her name – a small victory that made her beam with pride.
Mama Amel never missed a chance to remind Emna that she mattered – that she was cherished. Every evening, Emna would return from school to be greeted with open arms and a soft voice asking, “How was your day, sweetheart?” And each time, Emna’s voice grew stronger, steadier: “It was good, Mama.”
Senior psychologist Ms. Sarra emphasized that Emna's rehabilitation involved ensuring she regained a sense of normalcy and security. “Before delving into her past and the difficulties she may have faced, we tried to guarantee her psychological stability by enrolling her at school like all children of her age,” she said.
The journey home
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, too. She had become someone her peers looked up to.
Emna loved her life at the village, but she never stopped thinking about her parents and siblings.
SOS Children’s Villages in Tunisia worked with Niger’s diplomatic staff in Libya, a neighboring country and a key transit point for migrants, to identify Emna’s parents and reunite them. Meanwhile, our teams gathered essential information on the family's socio-economic conditions and emotional environment, ensuring that Emna would return to a safe and stable environment.
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 favorite 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.”
On 25 September 2024, the moment of Emna's departure came. 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 a mix of emotions – excitement to see her parents and siblings but also sadness about leaving the family she had found at the children's village. But she knew that wherever life took her, she would carry the memories she had collected and the love she had experienced with her. And so, Emna went home, to a future she could face with courage.
*The name has been changed to protect privacy.
More on Emna in this video by SOS Children's Villages Tunisia (Arabic)