At 33 years old, Armelle's life has been marked by challenges, but also by incredible resilience. This young entrepreneur, employed in a factory in Kribi, resides with an improvised aunt, surrounded by her four children. Her home, located in a seaside district, is a calming place where the ocean waves soothe the mind and encourage reflection. Yet, behind this serene environment lies a painful past. Armelle grew up in a modest family. Her elderly parents, living in the village, never had the means to give to her the comfort she hoped for. Seeking a better life for herself and her 3-year-old daughter, Armelle became a victim of human trafficking. Holding a diploma in banking and aspiring for a future in Europe, she found herself in Morocco, at the mercy of a man who subjected her to physical, psychological, and sexual violence. This ordeal, marked by brutality and dehumanization, left indelible scars, especially in her young daughter's heart.

Assisted by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) for a voluntary return to Cameroon, Armelle returned with her "aunt," an unknown woman who helped her escape her tormentor, along with four children, including her then 7-year-old daughter, twins, and a little boy she had during her four years in Morocco. The IOM coordinated her voluntary return, reception, profiling, followed by an information and orientation session, and psychological support sessions for her daughter, to help restore their hope. Armelle also participated in entrepreneurial skills training, a crucial step for her reintegration project.

Thanks to financial support from the European Union through a project assisting the protection, return, and reintegration of migrants, Armelle aims to create a meal delivery service. This project, which she pursues with determination, would allow her to rebuild her life while regaining her dignity. Meanwhile, she has found a job in a tile manufacturing factory in Kribi, stabilizing her financial situation and taking care of her children.

With the support of the IOM and her new skills, Armelle sees her future in a new light. She works tirelessly on her project to make her future meal delivery service a success. Armelle remains determined to secure stable employment in the banking sector. She not only wishes to ensure a better future for her children but also to inspire other trafficking victims to pursue their dreams and overcome obstacles. Armelle is no longer just a survivor; she has become a source of change and resilience in her community.
 

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For further information, please contact:

• Pascale ESSAMA, IOM Cameroon, pessama@iom.int