'Don't become a slave' was just one of the slogans spread across two major Georgian cities recently through World Vision's public awareness campaign on human trafficking.

Starting in Telavi, east Georgia, the campaign moved west to Batumi warning people of the dangers of trafficking and how to protect themselves.

Various anti trafficking events are also planned in other cities throughout Georgia, as part of World Vision's 'Better Chances for Georgian Youth' project.

More than 15 youth distributed leaflets and brochures on Telavi's streets and painted pictures with different slogans.

'When you are informed about the danger you can protect yourself. From my painting I want to tell people that they have to be careful of this danger and protect themselves. I am very glad that I am able to express my feelings with these paintings', said 18-year-old Tatuli who participated in the campaign with her friends.

'These kind of events are important, as increased awareness of the population makes them aware of the risks related to illegal migration and trafficking', said Teona Kupunia, World Vision's Human Rights/Anti-Trafficking Program Manager.

World Vision's anti-trafficking project was. Presented to school teachers, local governmental bodies and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in Telavi and Batumi, with the one-day campaign ending with a film presentation.

World Vision Georgia began its 'Better Chances for Georgian Youth' project in January 2008 to establish three functional support centres to improve the economic prospects of youth, reduce the risk of trafficking among youth and to facilitate re-integration of returning migrants into their communities.

The project is implemented in cooperation with the Telavi, Kutaisi and Batumi Centres for Education, Development and Employment.

Opened in 2005, these centres were part of World Vision's Learners for Life Project and at the end of 2007 became independent NGOs.