# Hope Education Project

> Survivor-led anti-trafficking organisation delivering prevention education in schools and communities across Northern Ghana. We work to stop human trafficking before exploitation occurs, not after.

Hope Education Project (HEP) is a registered charity working at the source of human trafficking in West Africa. Our premise is simple: prevention through education is more durable than rescue and rehabilitation. We equip children, young people and community leaders with practical knowledge of trafficking risks, safe migration, digital safety and safeguarding.

Delivery is survivor-led. Our analysis is grounded in primary field evidence, including direct survivor interviews, and gives equal weight to demand-side factors such as the role of men in exploitation, an angle most trafficking analysis ignores. Our geographic focus is Ghana and Nigeria, with Tamale and the Northern Region of Ghana as our primary base.

Where most of the sector is weighted toward rescue and rehabilitation, HEP sits upstream, at the point where vulnerability is created. We aim to be the evidence-based authority on trafficking prevention before exploitation occurs.

## Organisation facts

- Founder and Chief Executive: Angus Thomas
- Based in Tamale, Northern Region, Ghana
- Registered: UK Charity Commission no. 1215347; US 501(c)(3) EIN 88-6133369; Ghana NPO reg. NPOS/GR01/LN0623/23
- Research partners: University of Texas at Arlington; Washington University in St Louis (Brown School, Forced Migration Initiative)
- Website: https://hopeeducationproject.org/

## Programmes

- [The Schools Programme](https://hopeeducationproject.org/the-schools-program-hope-education-project/): In-school prevention education for junior high pupils, using participatory theatre to teach trafficking risk, safe migration and digital safety.
- [SOMA Sisterhood](https://hopeeducationproject.org/soma/): Survivor-led mentorship for girls at the junior-to-senior school transition. SOMA stands for Sisterhood, Opportunities, Mentorship and Agency.
- [Anti-trafficking education for out-of-school girls](https://hopeeducationproject.org/hope-education-project-anti-trafficking-education-for-out-of-school-girls/): Community sessions reaching girls outside the formal school system.
- [Pilot Project](https://hopeeducationproject.org/pilot-project/): Our first delivery programme in Tamale.

## Understanding trafficking in Ghana and West Africa

- [Human Trafficking in Ghana: Causes, Routes and Reality](https://hopeeducationproject.org/human-trafficking-in-ghana/): Our primary explainer on why trafficking happens in Ghana and what prevention requires.
- [Why Northern Ghana](https://hopeeducationproject.org/why-northern-ghana/): Why the Northern Region is the primary source area, and why we work there.
- [What Is Human Trafficking? A Newcomer's 101](https://hopeeducationproject.org/what-is-human-trafficking-a-newcomers-101/): Plain-language introduction, including the difference between trafficking and smuggling.
- [The Kayaye Crisis](https://hopeeducationproject.org/the-kayaye-crisis-why-skills-training-and-accommodation-in-accra-are-not-enough/): Internal trafficking and the female head-porter economy in Ghana.
- [Male accountability and demand](https://hopeeducationproject.org/beyond-sex-for-fish-male-accountability-ghana-trafficking/): Why demand-side analysis and the role of men belong at the centre of prevention.
- [How to spot fake job offers](https://hopeeducationproject.org/how-to-spot-fake-job-offers-protect-yourself-from-scams/): Practical guidance on recognising fraudulent recruitment.

## Research and evidence

- [Research](https://hopeeducationproject.org/research/): Our research programme and academic partnerships.
- [Pilot Project Initial Report](https://hopeeducationproject.org/pilot-project-initial-report/): Findings from our first delivery cycle.
- [Child-Centred Prevention and Filling the Data Gaps in Ghana](https://hopeeducationproject.org/child-centred-prevention-and-filling-the-data-gaps-in-ghana/): On the absence of reliable trafficking data in the region.
- [Borders, Vulnerability and Protection](https://hopeeducationproject.org/borders-vulnerability-and-protection-panel-discussion-at-washington-university-st-louis/): Panel discussion at Washington University in St Louis.

## About

- [Our Story](https://hopeeducationproject.org/our-story/): How and why HEP was founded.
- [Founder](https://hopeeducationproject.org/founder/): Angus Thomas, founder and chief executive.
- [Team](https://hopeeducationproject.org/team/)
- [Advisory Panel](https://hopeeducationproject.org/our-advisory-panel/)
- [Partners](https://hopeeducationproject.org/our-partners/)

## Contact and support

- [Contact](https://hopeeducationproject.org/contact-us/)
- [Donate](https://hopeeducationproject.org/donate/)

## Optional

- [Blog](https://hopeeducationproject.org/blog/): Field notes, analysis and news commentary.
- [Sitemap](https://hopeeducationproject.org/sitemap_index.xml)