Benyamin* was just six years old when he was trafficked from Pakistan to Afghanistan.  Much of his young life remains shrouded in mystery.  No one knows where he comes from, where his family is now, the circumstances that led to him being trafficked, or what life was like for him in the care of a security officer in Southwest Afghanistan. 

Benyamin remembers his father's name.  He remembers that he has a brother and three sisters.  But the rest is unclear.  For such a young boy - he is now 10 - he has experienced much.  His identity is framed by painful and scary experiences: separation from his family; shuffling across international borders; suspected physical abuse at the hands of his traffickers.      

He is still quiet and angry and his journey to healing will be a long one.  He will need ongoing counseling and support. 

Hagar is committed to Benyamin.  Despite the turmoil of his past, he is beginning to settle into life at the shelter.  He is starting to make new friends with other children and talks more now about wanting to be with his family once again.  Every day he says how hopeful he is that he will be able to see them soon.   

Hagar and other partners are working hard to find Benyamin's family through site visits to Pakistan, television announcements in Afghanistan and tracing any family members who might have information.  The hope is that one day soon Benyamin will be able to reunite with his family as a strong, resilient and empowered young boy.

*name has been changed to protect the victim's identity.