In August 2013, nine-year-old Nada Itrab boarded an overnight coach in Barcelona, excited for what she thought would be a week-long adventure to Bolivia. The daughter of undocumented Moroccan immigrants, she lived in a poor neighbourhood near Barcelona. Her neighbour, Grover Morales, a Bolivian man in his mid-30s, offered to take her as a reward for her excellent schoolwork. Her parents signed a notarised document permitting the trip.
Nada had reservations about Morales, having seen a video of him in a trance-like state at his place of worship. She also recalled unsettling moments when he would lie on top of her during play. However, with her parents' approval, she dismissed her fears. Security cameras at Madrid's Barajas airport captured the pair boarding a flight to Santa Cruz, Bolivia.
Upon arrival, Morales claimed Nada's passport was lost and blamed her, saying they would need to stay longer. This marked the beginning of a nine-month ordeal during which Nada was held against her will. Authorities eventually found her in the rainforest, but her survival was described as miraculous. 'Any other child would have died,' sources said.
Now 21, Nada is a law student at Barcelona University. She has chosen to speak publicly about her experience to campaign against child trafficking. 'I don't want to just be the girl who got kidnapped,' she said. Her story highlights the resilience of a child who endured unimaginable hardship and emerged determined to make a difference.
