From victim to witness: Bukuru Claude against human trafficking

By Moriba Camara, S.J.

It all began after he completed his university studies in Burundi. Like many young graduates in his country, Bukuru Claude found himself without a job, even though he really wanted to support his family.

“I was facing frustration, social pressure, and the legitimate desire to help my family,” he told Vatican News.

It was in this context of vulnerability that he was approached by unscrupulous recruiters. “They promised me job opportunities abroad, in countries like Kuwait, Lebanon, or Dubai, with attractive salaries and a better life,” he explained.

Unaware of the mechanisms of human trafficking, he trusted them: “I paid a lot, […] money and years of my life, thinking I was investing in my future.”

A journey that turned into a trap

Bukuru was sent to Kenya and was told that it was a simple stopover before reaching the Gulf countries. “We were supposed to be heading to the Gulf countries. But once we were there, reality changed brutally,” he said.

“From the very first day, the person transporting us collected our passports and documents. He left us in an apartment, in a room where there were twenty-one of us.”

Living conditions were precarious. Having food to eat “was really difficult. We ate thanks to help from our families back in Burundi, once every three days,” Bukuru recalled.

Yet at that time, Bukuru had not yet identified the situation as trafficking: “At that moment, I didn’t know I was a victim of trafficking. I only knew that something was wrong, but I thought one day he would take us where he had promised.”

“It was Talitha Kum–Kenya that saved us”

Bukuru’s escape from the traffickers’ trap came through a providential encounter. One of his former classmates, who had become a religious brother in Kenya, helped him put into words what he was experiencing.

“He told me: whether you accept it or not, you have been trafficked,” Bukuru said. Through this network of friendship and solidarity, the case was reported to Talitha Kum–Kenya.

“It was Talitha Kum–Kenya that saved us, following the intervention of a sister who was in Algeria,” Bukuru continued.

This step marked a decisive turning point: “When I met Talitha Kum, I finally put words to what I had lived through: human trafficking.”

Transforming suffering into commitment

Today, Bukuru Claude advocates against trafficking. “Transforming my suffering into commitment is essential for three reasons,” he explained.

First, “to give meaning to what I went through, by raising awareness and telling the truth.” Second, out of solidarity with young people who are, like he once was, facing unemployment and poverty. “Many young people today live the same vulnerability that I did at the time,” he highlighted.

Lastly, he underlined his sense of moral responsibility. “Having seen the mechanisms of trafficking up close, I couldn’t remain silent—my heart would have been filled with a form of voluntary complicity,” he reflected.

Together with other young people, he carries out awareness-raising actions. “We talk about current forms of trafficking and fraudulent recruitment strategies. We encourage vigilance and the reporting of trafficking cases.”

Cross-border awareness projects in East Africa are also being considered. “That’s how I became fully committed as a youth ambassador—to raise awareness, prevent, and alert,” he said.

Recognizing the warning signs

Drawing on his experience, he identified several warning signs that should raise alarms regarding human trafficking: “The first is promises that are too good to be true: a well-paid job, without a clear contract, without required qualifications, and with a very rapid departure.”

He also noted “a lack of transparency on the part of the recruiter, the absence of official documents, and a lack of precise information about the employer, the exact workplace, or the real conditions.” Or also “requests for high payments to obtain a job or to travel.”

Other warning signs can be “when you are asked to keep the project secret, even from your family,” or “the confiscation of identity documents and restrictions on movement.”

“You are not alone”

To those who are still trapped, Bukuru offers a message of hope: “Dear brothers and sisters, you are not alone. Your life has immense value, even if the situation seems hopeless. There are people and organizations ready to help you. Daring to speak can be the first step toward freedom.”

 “To authorities, communities, and young people alike, this is a collective responsibility. Together, we can transform suffering into protection and fear into hope,” he concluded.