Vatican City: Bukuru Claude, a young graduate from Burundi, has transformed a painful chapter of his life into a powerful mission against human trafficking, using his personal experience to warn others and prevent similar tragedies. Speaking to Vatican News, he recounted how vulnerability, deception and false promises led him into a trafficking network and how solidarity and faith ultimately helped him regain his freedom.
After completing his university education, Bukuru found himself unemployed, a common reality for many young people in Burundi. The pressure to support his family, combined with growing frustration and limited opportunities at home, made him particularly susceptible to exploitation. He recalls feeling overwhelmed by social expectations and the desire to build a better future for his loved ones.
It was during this period of uncertainty that he was approached by recruiters who offered what appeared to be a way out. They promised well-paying jobs abroad in destinations such as Kuwait, Lebanon and Dubai, presenting the prospect of financial stability and a new life. Unfamiliar with the tactics used by traffickers, Bukuru trusted them and paid large sums of money, believing he was investing in his future.
What followed was a journey that quickly turned into a nightmare. Bukuru was first taken to Kenya, which he was told would be a brief transit point before traveling to the Gulf region. Instead, upon arrival, the reality changed abruptly. His passport and personal documents were confiscated, and he was confined to a crowded apartment along with 20 other people.
Living conditions were harsh and degrading. Food was scarce, and survival depended largely on occasional financial help sent by families back home. Meals came only once every few days, and uncertainty dominated daily life. At the time, Bukuru did not fully recognize his situation as human trafficking. He sensed that something was deeply wrong but still clung to the hope that the promises made to him would eventually be fulfilled.
His rescue came through an unexpected act of friendship. A former classmate, now a religious brother in Kenya, listened to his story and helped him understand the reality of what he was experiencing. It was the first time Bukuru was confronted with the truth: he was a victim of human trafficking. Through this connection, his case was reported to Talitha Kum–Kenya, part of an international network of Catholic sisters committed to combating trafficking.
Intervention by Talitha Kum proved decisive. With the support of a sister working from Algeria and coordinated efforts on the ground, Bukuru and others in the same situation were freed. For Bukuru, this encounter marked a profound turning point. Naming his experience for what it was human trafficking allowed him to begin healing and rebuilding his life.
Today, Bukuru Claude has become a committed advocate in the fight against trafficking, working alongside Talitha Kum to raise awareness and protect others. He says turning his suffering into action is essential on several levels. It gives meaning to his ordeal, helps shed light on the truth about trafficking, and stands in solidarity with young people who remain vulnerable due to unemployment and poverty.
He also speaks of a deep moral responsibility. Having witnessed firsthand how trafficking networks operate, he believes remaining silent would amount to complicity. Along with other young people, he now participates in educational initiatives that expose fraudulent recruitment methods and inform communities about modern forms of exploitation. Cross-border awareness programs in East Africa are also being planned as part of his work as a youth ambassador.
Drawing from his own experience, Bukuru highlights several warning signs that should raise immediate concern. These include job offers that sound too good to be true, lack of clear contracts, vague information about employers, demands for high upfront payments, and pressure to leave quickly. He also warns against secrecy, confiscation of identity documents, and restrictions on personal movement.
To those who may still be trapped in similar situations, Bukuru offers a message of reassurance and hope. He urges victims not to lose sight of their dignity or value, even when circumstances seem unbearable. Help is available, he insists, and speaking out can be the first step toward freedom.
Bukuru concludes with a broader appeal to authorities, communities and young people alike, stressing that combating human trafficking is a shared responsibility. Through collective action, awareness and compassion, he believes suffering can be transformed into protection and fear into hope.