The overwhelming statistics of children who are being or have been trafficked may often paralyse us into inaction. Can one person change the realities these children face, let alone rescue them and give them a new life?
The answer is yes! A recent article from the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the United States tells us that while many human trafficking cases are handled by authorities in law enforcement, the everyday citizen can join the cause to end human trafficking simply by keeping their eyes open.
In Asia, our staff work daily with some of these everyday local people who are passionate about helping children affected by trafficking. Viva Equip programmes train groups and individuals on how to search for, rescue and counsel a child who is trafficked. If a child looks malnourished, is covered in unexplained bruises or never has his illnesses treated, chances are that the child is being exploited on a regular basis. Taken to the right place and given proper therapy, traumatised children can begin to heal and look forward to new lives.
What Viva Equip also pushes forward is prevention to protect children from any harm at all. In Nepal the network tackles issues of sexual exploitation and family separation by highlighting the potential dangers children face when they are separated from caring adults or their families. Understanding that loving and being attentive to children can keep them off the streets and out of danger from those who want to exploit them for money.
“It is exciting to see how community members start to understand more about the issues of trafficking and how they can raise awareness. They’re also given link to a helpline that can help prevent trafficking of young girls and boys in the border areas near India as well as from Nuwakot,” said Binia N, the Viva Consultant for the Nepal network. “Thanks to intervention training someone helped government officials identify a young girl who was about to be trafficked into India and responded in time to prevent that from happening.”
But, as some reports state, there are 1.2 million children being trafficked – likely more from unreported or unknown cases. As we support those who are daily working to end child trafficking, we invite you to also join us in prayer.
Please pray…
- For the children who are being trafficked or are recovering from those experiences. Pray that God will comfort them in their fear and suffering, and that he will provide an escape.
- For those who are looking out for trafficked children. May they have wisdom and discernment as they search the streets and among the crowds, and may their words and actions be gentle to help heal the children who are hurting. Pray that God will also protect them in their efforts.
- For the end human trafficking. It’s a big ask, but we believe this can happen! Several organisations and professionals are coming together to raise awareness and crack down on trafficking rings, but there are still millions of victims – reported and unreported – who are trapped. Please pray that God will help us know what practical steps can be taken to change the situation.
SUPPORT NETWORKS WHO STANDOUT FOR CHILDREN AFFECTED BY TRAFFICKING
‘LIKE’ STANDOUT ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE UPDATES AND INFORMATION ON CHILD TRAFFICKING ISSUES
Dear Sir,
Greetings from Nepal!!
I am having your prayer letter from some months,it is good to read what VIVA doing and to pray your ministry.
Here I would like to share one report;last monts we had a GOSPEL TRIP and we were village called GHAGA FADEE(NUWAKOT)there are no girls above 12 years because this village is known a traffiking
area and to say traffiking is sin or bad means to put self in denger,Dear VIVA we need to put our prayer in ACTION. Navin Church praying.
Pastor Kumar Gurung.
Pastor Kumar,
Thank you for your prayers and for sharing your report with us. We will keep Navin Church and Ghaga Fadee in our prayers! If you have more specific prayer needs, you can also email pray@viva.org.
Blessings
Viva