A small organization established eight years ago in Dubai continues to fight illegal trafficking in women and children from Ethiopia.  United Hope, which gained renown for its expose of Ethiopian children trained as jockeys for camel racing, offers refuge and repatriation to hundreds of Ethiopians.

Yeshi Riske works for United Hope, a non-governmental organization in Dubai founded by Sharla Musabih.  Yeshi continues working in Dubai under dangerous circumstances, raising funds in the diaspora to advocate against trafficking and keeping a halfway house open for refugees.  United Hope fights against illegal trafficking, domestic violence child abuse and sexual exploitation in the Middle East.  Their services were recently expanded to promote repatriation, seek the Ethiopian government’s cooperation in reducing illegal trafficking and open a prevention center in Ethiopia. Many of those she cares for have been raped and beaten, she says, by the people who were supposed to employ them.

Yeshi spoke to Minia of the Tigrigna service for today’s show.  Next week, tune into the Amharic service Call-in show with Konjit Taye and Tizita Belachew for another interview with Yeshi.