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| News Catholic Charities Reunites Mother and Son Separated by Human Trafficking
NEWARK, N.J. (July 27, 2007) — Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Newark, which operates programs to rescue and restore victims of human trafficking, announced today that it has reunited a client with her 9-year-old son after a forced separation of more than four years. Eager to make a better life for her family in Kenya, Lucy Mugambi came to the United States in 2003 to accept employment as a housekeeper and nanny. The job quickly turned into a life of forced domestic servitude, allowing her very little contact with the outside world. Mugambi was physically abused, threatened, and coerced into working 14 hours a day. Eventually she managed to seek help from Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Newark, whose staff worked with local authorities to arrange for her rescue in 2005. Mugambi, now married with an infant daughter, has been trying to build a new life for herself — one that includes the son she left behind in 2003. In cooperation with immigration officials, Catholic Charities arranged for Mugambi’s son, Brian, to be allowed to join his mother in the United States. On Thursday, July 26, 2007, Catholic Charities staff were on hand to welcome young Brian. “It is rare that the horror story of human trafficking has a happy ending,” said Debbie Marulanda, director of Catholic Charities’ Refugee Resettlement and Human Trafficking Program, following Mugambi’s tearful reunion with her son at Newark Liberty International Airport. “We all share in Lucy’s joy, and we hope her courage will inspire other trafficking victims to come forward and seek help.” Anyone with information about suspected human trafficking is encouraged to call Catholic Charities’ human trafficking hotline, at (866) 999-9007. Serving northern New Jersey for more than a century, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Newark operates programs throughout Essex, Hudson, Union, and Bergen counties, sheltering men, women, and children without homes; counseling families in crisis; providing day care and socialization activities for older adults; building families through adoption; teaching job skills; educating students with special needs; and helping people with HIV/AIDS. Catholic Charities also assists “the stranger among us” through programs for immigrants, refugees, and victims of human trafficking. More information about agency programs and services is available online at www.ccnewark.org.
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