Challenging heights is a non-governmental organization in Ghana protecting the rights of children and focusing their anti-trafficking efforts in the fishing and cocoa industry. According to Challenging Heights, over 24,000 children in Ghana fall victim to the worst forms of child labour annually.
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Challenging Heights protects and empowers the lives of young people and communities affected by child trafficking and exploitation. Their mission encompasses a coordinated network of child-centered programs targeting areas where children are often sold, while driving rescue, rehabilitation, education, and prevention efforts.
History
Challenging heights was founded by James Kofi Annan, who is himself a survivor of child trafficking and the worst forms of child labor. James is the last and the only educated out of twelve children of his illiterate parents and was forced to work as a fisherman in more than 20 villages along Lake Volta from the age of 6 to 13, before finally escaping.
James later rose to become a university graduate and also rose to become manager at Barclays Bank of Ghana. In April 2007, James resigned from Barclays Bank of Ghana and used his personal financing to perform rescues and promote the mission of Challenging Heights full-time. After founding Challenging Heights, James is now known as a powerful and inspiring speaker and the recipient of numerous international awards and has become an globally recognized leader against slavery.
The need for this work is encapsulated in James’ story of how education can truly transform the lives of vulnerable children by providing them the hope and empowerment to become agents of change.
Mission
"To ensure a secured, protected and dignified future and life for children and youth by promoting their rights, education and health."
The need for this project is encapsulated in James’ story of how education can transform the life of formerly enslaved and vulnerable children, provide boys and girls with hope, and empower them to become agents of change.
Activities
Challenging Heights utilizes education, economic empowerment and community mobilization to address the causal factors of child slavery in Ghana. In 2011, the Challenging Heights School accommodated more than 600 students and directly supported over 1,400 children and their parents. The efforts of Challenging Heights have not only resulted in the reduction of child trafficking in the region, but has also dramatically increased enrollment and retention rates at local schools, through multilateral partnerships.
With a grant from Hovde Foundation, Challenging Heights completed the construction of Ghana’s largest and most comprehensive aftercare shelter. With a 60-child capacity this shelter is now the first point of refuge for rescued children, offering holistic rehabilitation, education, survivor support, medical care, and love!
Challenging Heights advocates for children at the legislative level, performs regular rescues, and operates a school that helps reintegrate child slaves that have been rescued.
Challenging Heights also raises awareness about the issue through collaboration with the international news media, as well as their work with celebrities—such as Jason Mraz and Archbishop Desmond Tutu of The Elders.
Funding
Hovde Foundation, Free the Slaves, Global Fund for Children, American Jewish World Service, UNICEF and generous private donations.