Throughout the year, the team works with day centres for children in villages, mainly serving children from socially vulnerable families. After school, they have a safe place to come, receive a hot meal, do their homework, and hear the Word of God through Bible lessons. 

“Our prevention work is very practical,” explains team member Anastasia. “We talk about personal boundaries, learning to say ‘no’, recognising manipulation and unhealthy relationships, online safety, and how traffickers can build trust and gradually gain control. Most importantly, children learn to recognise warning signs and know that they can speak to a trusted adult and ask for help. 

“Once a year, we also organise camps focused on preventing exploitation and human trafficking, while sharing the Gospel and helping children grow in their understanding of God’s love and their value.” 

Safe spaces in summer 

Five days may not seem like enough time to answer life’s deeper questions or prepare a child for the challenges they will face in the years ahead. Yet for dozens of girls and boys who took part in the 2026 summer camps, those days became far more than games, new friendships and outdoor activities. They became an opportunity to discover who they are. 

For the first time, the camps were held separately for girls and boys. This change allowed each group to enjoy a programme designed specifically for their stage of life, creating a safe environment for open conversations about identity, relationships, choices, character and the future. 

Throughout the week, laughter and games went hand in hand with moments of reflection. The girls took part in creative workshops, games and discussions about self-worth, healthy boundaries and dreams for the future. The boys experienced a similar programme, adapted to their needs, with sports, cycling trips and conversations about the kind of men they hope to become. 

More than simply sharing information, the aim was to help each child see their life from a different perspective. In a world where so many voices try to define who they are and what they are worth, the children were reminded of a different truth: they are known by God, deeply loved and created with purpose. 

“We believe the greatest impact is not simply what children learn during one camp, but the confidence and awareness they carry with them afterwards. We see children becoming more able to recognise unsafe situations, protect their boundaries, make wiser choices, and understand that they are valuable and worthy of respect. Because we continue walking alongside many of them through the day centres, we also have an opportunity to build trust over time and be there when they face difficult situations,” Anastasia says. 

“This year was a step of faith for us. For the first time, we expanded beyond the children from our day centres and worked with children from across Moldova. We held a prevention camp for 105 girls and another for 109 boys. 

“For us, this is about much more than one event. It is about creating a safer future for children, giving them practical tools to protect themselves, surrounding them with caring adults, and showing them the hope and value they have in Christ.” 

Prevention through self-worth 

This message has been at the heart of OM in Moldova’s ministry through these camps for many years. As part of a wider human trafficking prevention programme, the initiative seeks to strengthen children before they encounter situations of vulnerability. 

Prevention begins long before danger appears. It begins when a girl learns that her body, her dreams and her choices have value. It begins when a boy discovers that true strength also means respect, responsibility and caring for others. It begins when children learn to make wise choices because they know who they are. 

By strengthening identity, nurturing healthy relationships and encouraging a hopeful vision for the future, the camps seek to equip children with foundations that will remain with them long after the week has ended. 

When the camp comes to an end, the games are over. The bicycles are put away. The activities finish. The children return home. A camp lasts only a few days, but the identity built there can stay with a child for a lifetime. 

• To find out more about OM’s anti-trafficking work and how you can get involved, visit the Justice & Freedom Network’s webpage at https://www.om.org/eng/anti-trafficking 

* https://ocindex.net/rankings/human-trafficking (September 2026)