We know that people are more likely to experience human trafficking if they live in poverty and lack an education. We also know that people are more likely to become traffickers if they have not completed schooling.
Blue Dragon’s analysis of trafficking in Vietnam shows that 93% of traffickers and 90% of victims were illiterate or had left school before Grade 12.
And there’s more to the story. Statistically, those who are by far the most vulnerable to leaving school early and to being trafficked are members of ethnic minority communities. Knowing this information, we know HOW to break the cycle of poverty and reduce the risk of human trafficking. Because when we know who is at risk and what makes them vulnerable, we can develop interventions to prevent this crime before it even happens. This is why Blue Dragon invests so heavily in the education of young people.
Here’s how Blue Dragon is innovating in education for the poorest communities.
1. Education for those who are out of the system
6000+ CHILDREN ASSISTED TO RETURN TO SCHOOL
“Back to school” campaigns in remote ethnic minority communities actively seek out children who have quit school early or are at risk of leaving. We offer practical assistance for families to get their kids back to school. 70% of children who are offered assistance return to school; and 95% are still in school 12 months later.
A multidisciplinary team of social workers, psychologists, teachers and lawyers work together to assess children’s needs and deal with the barriers keeping them out of school.
- Individualised assistance, tailored according to need, providing school fee relief and study supplies.
- After-school tuition by experienced teachers and volunteers.
- Extracurricular activities, from life skills to leadership training, keeps kids engaged and interested.
- Social support to make sure kids can cope in class and to help them find their passions.
2. Infrastructure development to make schooling accessible and child-friendly for all
Every infrastructure project is funded in part by Blue Dragon and in part through community contribution and involvement.
3. From surviving to thriving: vocational and higher education pathways
400+ university students on SCHOLARSHIPS
- High school leavers are offered scholarships that are part-grant and part-loan to get them through tertiary education. More than 95% of scholars graduate and repay their loans.
- Career guidance is offered for students aged 15 and over.
- Teachers in rural schools are trained to provide career guidance to students.
- We provide individual counselling and support for school leavers and survivors of trafficking to choose vocational courses, and support them from application through to graduation.
- University and vocational graduates receive assistance to find employment and apply for jobs.
- Loans, grants and mentoring are given to graduates of training and education to start small businesses.
Sustainable interventions. Long-term results.
Education is a cornerstone of Blue Dragon’s goal to end human trafficking.
It’s clear that the way to sustainably end trafficking is to prevent it before it even happens. And we know that those young people most at risk of being trafficked are also those who need the most help to access education.
By implementing a range of innovative interventions, with a particular focus on regions with large populations of ethnic minority citizens, Blue Dragon is giving children and youth from backgrounds of extreme disadvantage the tools to break free from poverty… and stay safe from human trafficking.
