The Problem
Child exploitation, labor and trafficking is a world-wide problem; approximately 150 million children are victims of child labor. These children are used for sweatshop work, prostituition, farming, the armed service, begging, pornography and forced marriage.
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What is Human Trafficking?
Human trafficking is one of the most serious violations of human rights in the world today. It occurs when people are controlled and exploited through threats, deception, or abuse of power, often for profit. Traffickers target those who are struggling or searching for a better life and take advantage of their hope and trust.
Children are especially vulnerable. Many are tricked with promises of education or opportunity, only to be forced into labor, domestic servitude, or sexual exploitation. Others are manipulated online, isolated from help, and made to feel they have no way out.
This crime exists everywhere, in cities and small towns, across borders, and online. It often hides in plain sight, leaving survivors with deep emotional and physical scars.
At Touch of Life Foundation, we work to change that. Through education, awareness, and survivor support, we help communities recognize the warning signs and provide victims with the opportunity to reclaim their freedom and dignity. Every act of awareness brings us one step closer to ending trafficking for good.
What is Child Labor?
Child labor is the exploitation of children through work that harms their health, development, or education. Around the world, millions of children are forced to work in fields, factories, homes, and other unsafe environments instead of attending school or enjoying their childhood.
Many are made to work long hours for little or no pay, often in dangerous or unhealthy conditions. These children face risks of injury, illness, and emotional trauma while being denied the chance to learn and grow.
At Touch of Life Foundation, we believe every child deserves safety, education, and opportunity. Through awareness, education, and community partnerships, we work to break the cycle of child labor and give children the freedom to build brighter futures.
The Rise of Online Exploitation and Digital Trafficking
As technology becomes part of daily life, traffickers have found new ways to reach children through phones, computers, and social media. Online spaces that were meant for connection are now being used to manipulate and exploit the vulnerable.
Many children are targeted through fake friendships, false promises, or emotional manipulation. Traffickers use apps, games, and social networks to build trust before trapping victims in abuse or exploitation. Limited awareness of online safety and growing economic pressures make children even more at risk.
Touch of Life Foundation works to fight this hidden threat by educating families about digital safety, training teachers to recognize warning signs, and raising community awareness about online grooming. Together, we strive to make technology a tool for protection rather than a means of harm.
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Reflecting on the Past Years: TOLF's Efforts to Provide Assistance
The Touch of Life Foundation works closely with lawmakers, community leaders and partner organisations to strengthen protections against human trafficking and child labour. We advocate for laws that impose tougher penalties on traffickers and ensure that victims coerced into illegal activities are not punished.
We are grateful for the support of Congressman Gerry Connolly, whose partnership helped advance important legislation such as the Care Act Bill, which seeks to raise the minimum age for children working on farms and increase fines for exploiting child labour.
In addition to policy work, we support survivors on their path to recovery by funding education, mental-health support and providing essential resources like clothing and books. Through social-media outreach, community events and virtual volunteer programmes, we raise awareness and empower people to act.
We invite you to stay connected with us online and join our efforts to build a world where no child is exploited and everyone can live with dignity.
The Importance of Funding for Psychologists and English Teachers:
Touch of Life Foundation is proud to collaborate with Kailash Satyarthi, Nobel Peace Laureate, human rights champion, and founder of the Satyarthi Movement for Global Compassion and the Bachpan Bachao Andolan (Save the Childhood Movement). His lifelong work has freed tens of thousands of children from labor and trafficking, inspiring a global movement rooted in empathy, justice, and love.
At the heart of his mission stands Bal Ashram, a rehabilitation and education center where rescued children begin to rebuild their lives. Here, they receive shelter, care, and the chance to heal both emotionally and physically. Through our fundraisers and your generosity, Touch of Life Foundation helps fund English teachers and psychologists at Bal Ashram, providing survivors with the education and mental health support they need to rediscover confidence, hope, and purpose.
The children we support have endured unimaginable hardship, years of exploitation, fear, and loss. Yet, with compassion and guidance, they begin to laugh again, dream again, and see a future that once felt impossible. Education gives them strength. Healing gives them courage. Together, these gifts restore dignity and open the door to a new beginning.
Your support makes this transformation possible. Every donation helps a child heal from trauma, continue their education, and take the first steps toward a life of freedom and self-worth.
There are many reasons why children are trafficked. The 3 most common reasons for trafficking are for prostitution, debt bondage, or forced labor. Both boys and girls can be victims. Debt bondage exists because the victim is told they need to "repay" a debt that they may have taken or even possibly their ancestors took. Forced labor. Children are also illegally recruited as child soldiers for actual combat or for sexual exploitation by combatants. Organ trafficking also exists because people who are desperate for an organ are willing to pay large sums of money which has led to this illegal trade. Children are recruited to beg on the street or pickpocket or steal from others. Some gangs use children for drug trading because authorities do not suspect the young children and they also tend to be obedient. Underage children are sometimes forced into marriages or even sold to marry someone oftentimes much older than them.
Types of Child Trafficking
