“I feel I am in the right place. I’m fulfilling part of my religious vows.”
Sr. Jackline Mwikali Mwongela of the Loreto Sisters of the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary (IBVM), an alum of ASEC’s Higher Education for Sisters in Africa (HESA) program, feels this way about serving in her ministry. Sr. Jackline has been the Project Manager of Religious Against Human Trafficking (RAHT), a member of the Talitha Kum network in Kenya, since 2021. Sr. Jackline believes women religious are uniquely positioned to address complex and important social justice issues, such as human trafficking, because “we are people who are committed to do the work, do the work in whatever part of the country, even remote areas. We are motivated by values in religious life and the charisms of our congregations. Sisters are trying to accomplish the mission of their congregation, and they do it with love. Sisters will help any person regardless of ethnicity, in service to humanity.”
Talitha Kum is part of the International Network of Consecrated Life Against Human Trafficking, consisting of 58 networks across 97 countries and nearly 6,000 Catholic sisters and allies. Formally established in 2009 by the International Union of Superiors General (UISG) in Rome, Talitha Kum is an umbrella organization that facilitates networking at the national, regional, and continental levels, providing support for victims, survivors, and people at risk for human trafficking. Talitha Kum networks, most commonly organized at the national level, are sister-led, inter-congregational, grassroots initiatives that work in close partnership with the country’s national conference/association of women religious. Each of these networks works to end human trafficking, also known as modern day slavery, in which people are treated as commodities, bought and sold, in a cycle of social injustice.
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Sr. Jackline runs a radio station human trafficking awareness campaign.
The organizations’ name, Talitha Kum, is derived from the Gospel of Mark (5:41), when Jesus says to a child believed to be dead, “Talitha Kum,” meaning “Little girl, I say to you, rise up” in Aramaic. The young girl rises and begins to walk. The expression “Talitha Kum”, inspires hope and courage, which is why it was chosen for the organization—to remind those involved to stand with victims and survivors of human trafficking, and “promote a just world in which every human being can live in dignity and fullness, thus fulfilling Christ’s message.”
RAHT was established in 2016 and is the Talitha Kum network in Kenya, hosted by the Association of Sisterhoods of Kenya (AOSK). Currently, RAHT has more than 40 religious institute members and aims its anti-human trafficking efforts on the four Ps—prevention, protection, partnership, and prayer.
Sr. Jackline began working to counter human trafficking during her education practicum, completed as part of her HESA Bachelor's Degree, at Tangaza University College in 2017. During her practicum, she worked to educate vulnerable children about human trafficking in the slum areas surrounding Nairobi, Kenya, a cause she became increasingly passionate about. In 2019, Sr. Jackline was invited to attend the Talitha Kum International Conference in Rome and completed her leadership course in 2020. She was then called to serve as Project Coordinator for RAHT, receiving grant funding from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation to provide anti-human trafficking services.
Sr. Jackline explains that human trafficking affects everyone, particularly children, youth, and women ages 18 to 40. In the last two years, RAHT has rescued over 120 victims of human trafficking, focusing not only on saving these survivors but also uplifting and empowering them to live lives with dignity, justice, and compassion. For instance, RAHT rescued a group of women from cheap labor and sex work in early in 2024. The women have now returned to their home country of Uganda, where they were supported in enrolling in technical skills and training programs. A good number of those women graduated from their training programs in June 2024 and are now empowered to go back to their communities and utilize their new skills, some starting their own businesses.
If you or someone you know may be a victim of human trafficking, contact Religious Against Human Trafficking in Kenya at 0800721361 or the National Human Trafficking Hotline in the United States at 1-888-373-7888 or text “Be Free” to 233733.
Sr. Jackline teaches others the 4 Ps of Religious Against Human Trafficking.
The 4 Ps of Religious Against Human Trafficking (RAHT)
Prevention - RAHT raises awareness about human trafficking to assist individuals, families, and entire communities in resisting exploitation. They believe “empowering knowledge is the first step towards protective defense.” RAHT shares knowledge and strategies by offering anti-trafficking training and running public awareness campaigns.
Protection - In order to protect victims who are rescued, RAHT provides safe shelter that allows “fear to subside and healing to begin.” The healing services provided are holistic, including medical care, trauma-informed counseling, social services, repatriation, economic empowerment, and access to legal aid.
Partnership - RAHT collaborates with like-minded civil society organizations, government ministries, community leaders, and faith-based-organizations. Each partner brings unique strengths and perspectives, “building a stronger, united front against human trafficking.”
Prayer - Rooted in the Catholic faith, RAHT leads prayer for the victims and perpetrators of human trafficking, “trusting that even the darkest hearts can be touched by the transformative power of God’s love.” Specific days of global prayer are February 8th—International Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking and July 30th—World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.
