Sr. Mary O’Malley and George Matheka, her co-worker in the work against human trafficking in East Africa, told “The Healing Touch” the following true story.

Earlier this year, in the densely populated informal settlement of Mukuru, Nairobi, Kenya, a quiet family routine turned into a nightmare that no parent should ever endure.

Six-year-old Fafa (not her real name), a cheerful and innocent child, lived with her parents—Matthew and Fatima—and her two siblings, aged 8 and 3 years. Like many families in this community, they struggled to make ends meet but remained deeply bonded in love and care for one another.

One day, Fatima, the mother, briefly stepped out, leaving the children safely locked inside the house. It was a decision made from necessity, trusting that her children would remain safe for the short duration of her absence. However, in that vulnerable moment, betrayal crept in from a place they least expected.

A woman known to the family, a supposed friend, fondly known as Maggie, arrived at the house. Familiar and trusted, she called out to the children and persuaded them to hand over the keys under the pretense of wanting to enter. Innocently complying, the children opened the door.

Moments later, Maggie lured young Fafa away with a simple but deceptive promise—to buy her chips and return shortly to share them with her siblings.

That promise was never fulfilled. When Fatima returned home, she found her daughter missing. 

During the search in the surrounding area, a neighbour revealed a chilling detail: she had seen Maggie walking away with Fafa just an hour or two after Fatima had left the house in the morning. The realisation struck hard; their trusted acquaintance had taken their child.

The family immediately informed the police, and the case is being investigated. But so far, there is no word of the child’s whereabouts. There is evidence that she might have been trafficked across the Kenyan border into Uganda, possibly for ritual child sacrifice or for organ transplant.

We continue to pray for Fafa and all the other children who are abducted.

No child should disappear in the hands of someone they trust.