Moldova is a small, virtually unknown country in Eastern Europe. It is the poorest country in Europe and has the highest number of emigrants. It also has the highest percentage of human trafficking victims.
The vast majority of victims are tricked into believing they are pursuing a better life. They are befriended and convinced that they can make more money and have a more prosperous life elsewhere. They commit to moving to a new place with this new “friend,” only to find they’ve lost everything. Considering the life of poverty they’re living in Moldova, it doesn’t take much convincing.
What’s especially heartbreaking is that many of these victims are orphans. They don’t have a family and have very limited options. The Moldovan government is currently in the process of shutting down ALL government operated orphanages and the children are being turned out to the street.
There is nowhere for them to go and no one to care for them.
Except for the traffickers.
This is the country where we are ministering, and this is the work we are helping to fight against. Our ministry in Moldova is to work with orphans and to help support the local church. The church is desperate to help prevent trafficking, and purchases youth each year who are at risk of being sold into trafficking.
Sixteen year olds are “purchased” from the orphanage at a steep price of $300+ per month to help save these kids from almost certain victimization. The church trains the youth in useable skills and protects them from being victimized.
It’s a beautiful and horrific ministry, but it’s real and it’s needed.
These are actual pictures of the youth with whom we are working.
It’s a little different when you can see their faces, eh?
