Right To Be Free

Senyo's Story

Senyo and his three older brothers were trafficked to a fisherman to work on Lake Volta. Senyo's father was deceased and his mentally ill mother was unable to care for them. His maternal grandmother was taking care of Senyo, his siblings and cousin. They lived in the Volta region, near the beach in a coconut palm shack. Because of her impoverished condition, the grandmother struggled to survive, so she gave 12 year old Senyo and his brothers to a local fisherman.

Senyo and his brothers were healthy when they were trafficked to work on the lake. They worked long hours bailing water from fishing boats. One day Senyo slipped and fell, hitting his chest against the canoe seat while fracturing several bones in his chest and back.

The severe injury left Senyo incontinent and unable to walk unassisted. Although he experienced excruciating pain, Senyo was never taken to a hospital for treatment and was still forced to work on the lake. His master later took him to see an herbalist, where he remained for 2 years. Senyo was starved and forced to crawl around the herbalist’s farm to sweep. When he soiled himself, he was beaten. And unbelievably, the herbalist made him dance to music.

RTBF has taken Senyo to the FOCOS Orthopedic Hospital in Accra for evaluation. After a series of tests,Senyo was diagnosed with six crushed vertebrae. RTBF hopes to raise the funds for his surgery and rescue Senyo’s older siblings so the family can be reunited once again.

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