The focus of this article is on children trafficked or migrating alone from rural areas of the Wolaita zone of the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ Region to the urban centres of Jimma or Addis Ababa in Ethiopia. The article, based on information from interviews and focus groups, develops awareness of this issue as it is locally conceptualised and prevented. Recommendations include coordinated efforts between government, non-government and community-based organisations (CBOs) to protect children, and economic development/skills training in rural communities. © The Author(s) 2018.

child trafficking community prevention Ethiopia rural development government commitments

rural population government rural area organization skill awareness Article interview Ethiopia human economic development Child