Prevent Child Trafficking Through Education

Our last report was submitted by a Global Giving staff member, Charissa Murphy, after she visited our FREEDOM Project Resource Center to see the impact that your gifts are making. She submitted a wonderful report that gives insight into our work and the daily activities that you, our donors, make possible. As always, so many things have happened since her report! 

Our staff recently shared a story that subtly highlights the importance of the FREEDOM Project and the activities, community, and resources that you help us offer. The story touched my heart and I wanted to share it here, with you, as well. 

Suki* used to stay home every single day. After school, she would curl up for a nap or to spend hours in front of the TV. Not by choice, but because her family insisted upon it for her health. All her life, they told her that playing with other children or otherwise exerting herself would cause her health to deteriorate. Being outside and having fun would hurt her, they said. Suki is HIV-positive.

But Suki did have a friend, Pleng*, who is one of our scholarship students. Pleng eventually convinced Suki to come to SOLD. There were openings for scholarships available, and Pleng convinced her friend to apply. Upon accepting Suki into the program, however, our SOLD staff had to work hard to convince Suki and her family that engaging in normal activity was not only healthy, but beneficial for Suki. Moreover, our staff stressed, Suki has value as a person and should share herself with others. It was hard for the young girl in particular to undo all she had previously been taught: that she could not enjoy life the way normal kids do.

In the end, her family allowed her to join in SOLD activities, and Suki was welcomed and encouraged by the staff and kids who immediately accepted her as one of their own. She now comes to visit SOLD almost daily and is developing strong relationships with both staff and fellow students, proving herself adept at getting along with others and getting involved in whatever activites the SOLD kids were doing each day. She is happier, making new friends, and enjoying new life experiences. 

We set out to combat trafficking, but what we do is broader in scope too. We aim to give new opportunities to kids, certain that given just half a chance, these kids will produce great results in their lives. If we give these kids the foundation from which to take chances, then they can feel proud about themselves when they take the risk and discover that they can succeed.

Thank you - all of you - for continuing to allow these relationships to flourish in such a safe space. Your gifts are truly changing lives. 

*Names changed to protect privacy.

Links:

• Interview with David Trotter, Executive Producer, In Plain Sight