The Dream That Betrayed Me: Lereko’s Journey Through Human Trafficking and Survival

By: Reentseng Phephetho, Communications and Digital Officer, Lesotho

“I grew up with one dream; to play soccer professionally,” begins Lereko (not his real name), a young man from Lesotho. “It was more than just a sport. It was who I was; it was my identity.” But in 2021, that very dream was used to exploit him.

A Chance to Go Pro—or So He Thought

It all started when a man approached Lereko with what seemed like a life-changing opportunity: join a Nigerian soccer team in Lesotho. Soon after, another teammate spoke of an even bigger offer, trials with professional football clubs in Dubai.

Lereko hesitated at first. It sounded too good to be true. But the man insisted; if the trials didn’t work out, he could return home and they’d even give him R25,000 as a token of appreciation. Struggling to make ends meet and desperate to pursue his dream, Lereko took the leap.

“They sent me money for a visa, medical tests, and flight tickets,” he recalls. “Everything looked real. I thought this was my breakthrough.”

Reality Hits: “You’re Here to Open Seven Bank Accounts”

When he arrived in Dubai, his dream quickly turned into a nightmare. “A man picked me up from the airport. I told him I was there for soccer trials. He looked at me and said, ‘No. You’re here to open seven bank accounts.’”

Terrified, Lereko tried calling the friend who had helped him leave. But the response was chilling: “Do what they say if you want to stay safe.” Over the next few days, Lereko’s identity was stolen, his passport was taken, he was forced to open bank accounts, register SIM cards, and set up email addresses all used for criminal activity in his name.

“I was starving and sometimes I had no water. I was locked in a room when they weren’t using me,” he shares. “The love for soccer was killing me.”

Forced Marriage and Fake Jobs

Things got worse. They gave Lereko a fake job title of “Administrative Officer” and forced him to buy expensive phones on credit. Then they introduced a woman and told him she was his wife. “They made me sign a fake marriage certificate and used our names to buy a flat. I just wanted to go home.” For four long months, Lereko was trapped in this web of fraud, coercion, and fear.

A Brave Escape and a New Beginning

Eventually, he was allowed to leave to take a vaccination, a requirement for travel. They gave him only 3,000 Dirhams (about R15,000) a fraction of what was promised and no help to return home. But Lereko made it back., broken, betrayed, but alive.

“I went straight to the police station.” His report led to the arrest and conviction of the man who had trafficked him; sentenced to 15 years in prison. The police connected him with the Beautiful Dream Society, where he received trauma counseling and enrolled in an Electricity course. “I gave up on soccer. I hate it now because I nearly lost my life chasing it.”

From Victim to Entrepreneur

Through the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights (PPHR) Project, funded by the European Union and implemented by World Vision Lesotho, Lereko received the tools to start over. Electrical equipment, grinders, ladders and everything he needed to start a small business as an independent electrician. “Now I make money through my skills. I work with dignity. I’m free.”

Lereko’s Message to Young People

“Be careful who you call friends. Traffickers hide behind friendship and opportunity. Always verify everything before you say yes. Some dreams are worth waiting for, but none are worth your freedom.”

Support Survivors. Raise Awareness. Take Action.

This story is shared in commemoration of the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons; a day to honour the courage of survivors like Lereko, whose dreams were exploited but not destroyed. His journey reminds us that behind every case of trafficking is a real person with a voice that must be heard. 

Let’s stand together to prevent trafficking, protect vulnerable youth, and support survivors in reclaiming their dignity, freedom, and future.