After receiving over 4200 letters from Change.org community members, Choice Hotels has made an important decision. They will take proactive action to prevent child prostitution in their hotels. Their decision comes after a long letter-writing campaign from Change.org and over a month of discussions with leading child protection organization ECPAT. I hope you will all join me in celebrating Choice Hotels’ commitment to the important issue of prevent child sex trafficking. We welcome them as an ally in the fight to protect America’s children from exploitation in prostitution.
Over the course of this past week police have identified a trafficking ring in Greece and have been actively rescuing victims! In the last 48 hours more girls were freed and welcomed into A21’s shelter. We are seeing such incredible breakthroughs!
With so many new girls in the shelter, A21 Campaign has seen an increase in expenses that exceed their budget. They have had to purchase additional beds, pay medical bills and legal fees, and feed girls in desperate need of a good homemade GREEK meal. With more mouths to feed and souls to mend than ever, your support would be an incredible help to the girls in this shelter right now.
If we all give up a coffee today and donate $5 to The A21 Campaign – we can make a BIG difference! Together, we can not only help meet some of the immediate shelter needs, but we can also help shower these amazing girls with love!
If you can spare $5 right now, consider using it to make a big difference. All you have to do it click here!
The Home Foundation is joining Natalie Grant, Britt Nicole, and Phil Stacey on the road this spring! See if we’re coming to a city near you! Click here for tour dates.
News wires buzzed recently with reports that a group of ten Americans from an Idaho-based Christian charity were arrested trying to transport 33 Haitian children into the Dominican Republic contrary to the rules of Haiti’s government. Although details are still emerging, the story thus far suggests a potent mingling of good intentions with ill-advised plans. Fellow Christians embarrassed by the incident should have the grace to withhold the abuse many observers are now piling on the group, but we can still take a strong lesson on the need to match zeal with knowledge in every effort to “care for orphans in their distress.”… read more here
Latest news update on concerns over human trafficking in Haiti
The State Department has announced that they are going to increase their efforts (along with UNICEF, the Haiti government, the Red Cross and other organizations) to protect vulnerable children from human trafficking during the post-earthquake state of emergency. Prior to the earthquake in January of 2010, human trafficking had become a growing problem. Due to the separation of many children from their families in the aftermath of the earthquake, they are more at risk for being trafficked and exploited.
“Haitian officials recognize that human trafficking is a serious problem in their country, Haitian law does not specifically prohibit trafficking in persons, which limits the Haitian government’s ability to punish traffickers and protect victims. This is made worse by Haiti’s political instability and lack of resources, the State Department report says.” ~ www.america.gov Jan 29, 2010
“UNICEF has confirmed that at least 15 Haitian children have vanished from areas hospitals in the days since the earthquake, and they suspect those children — and more — are falling victim to child trafficking rings.” ~ www.humantrafficking.change.org Jan 26, 2010
The Home Foundation has partnered with many other organizations in launching a campaign to help protect Haiti’s children from human trafficking. “It is critical to engage some organizations in this work now, while the first disaster relief efforts are beginning…. partnering with nongovernmental organizations on the ground in the affected areas, and suggesting steps to reduce the opportunities for exploitation, such as the identification and registration of children in camps and the education of relief and development works, health providers, missionaries and others on the increased dangers of trafficking.” ~ www.thehomefoundation.net
The Home Foundation partners to help protect Haiti’s Children from Human Trafficking.
Coalition of Non Profit Organizations Work to Prevent Human Trafficking and Exploitation of Haitian Children
Global Centurion, The Home Foundation, Love146, Call and Response, Renewal Forum, Fondation Espoir, Salvation Army, Olive Branch International, Doctors at War on Trafficking, The Home Foundation, Equitas Group, Gracehaven, World Hope International, Beyond Borders, Restavek Foundation, and Fondation la Limye Lavi announce a first response campaign to develop and distribute simple, clear information campaigns designed to prevent human trafficking after the earthquake.
As our internship program expands we are excited to partner with colleges and universities who want to make anti-trafficking part of their global mission. Natalie Grant will be sharing her vision for this college program at the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities on February 23. For more information visit www.cccu.org
