There are 35.8 million people enslaved worldwide.
British government estimates that there are around 13,000 people in modern day slavery in the UK today.
I remember a couple of years ago I had watched a video that had been posted on Facebook. This video was to highlight the issue of human trafficking in Amsterdam. It told the story of women that were promised a career in dance and ended up in the windows of Amsterdam’s Red Light district. I have never forgotten that video and after watching it totally opened my eyes to things that were going on in the world. I guess the video made me aware of the unjust that existed in the world but that’s where is ended for me. I never done anything at that time with my new found knowledge other than say about how wrong it was, however there was a passion sparked that day.
Here I am a couple of years down the line, some things have changed in that space of time. I finally have a degree, I have a job that I love and I’m going on the world race! Something that has not changed is my passion and desire to help those enslaved and trapped in a life that they did not choose. In fact this passion has grown stronger, no longer willing to accept the shocking statistics. I will be working in Thailand where it is estimated that nearly 2 million people are forced into prostitution. I will work in Cambodia, where it is a source, transit point, and destination of human trafficking.
When we hear of the tragedies that happen around us it’s hard to see how as an individual can change their situation but if you can speak a word of life to someone or give a hope then maybe that’s all I will do but it is something. There are many people in this world today that do not know their worth, that do not know they are loved. That there is such an amazing plan and purpose for their lives. I believe that every person deserves to be free, not to be bought or sold but instead loved and happy. That they are not used for someone else’s pleasure and disposal. But instead they live a life that they choose.
At times it has been a real struggle for me because I feel that what I am doing is never going to be enough. That I cannot create this massive change that I long to see happen in my life time. But there is a very real reality and that is that if we all do something then things will change. The kind acts, the words of encouragement and the love and compassion we show towards others is what will change the lives of many people around the world.
I am so excited about this amazing journey and can’t wait to share it with you all.
“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples” – Mother Theresa
