I had the opportunity to be invited to a fundraising dinner last night for an organization called International Justice Mission (IJM). IJM is a human rights agency that secures justice for victims of slavery, sexual
exploitation, and other forms of violent oppression. IJM lawyers, investigators, and aftercare professionals, work with local officials to ensure immediate victim rescue and aftercare, to persecute perpetrators and to promote functioning public justice systems. Here is Doug and I and my mom and dad.
It is indescribable. You hear about the atrocities going on in our world and while you feel bad, you tend to quickly forget and get on with day to day life. After last night (and I know what we saw was a "sanatized" version), I have not been able to get the people who need our help out of my mind. I don't know if I ever will. Even more than ever before, I feel the need to "show up", to make a difference, to be part of history, to have a voice that is heard. To make that little bit of difference, that when coupled with the generosity of so many others, means the difference between terror or freedom, life or death for so many in this world.
From IJM - "In a world where families are trapped in slavery, children are trafficked into prostitution, and widows and orphans are forced from their homes, the difference between life and death - between justice and oppression - often depends upon whether someone simply shows up on behalf of those who are suffering." IJM not only rescues children, women, and families, it also helps them restore their lives, and it helps to "correct" the justice systems in these countries and bring about a reduction in the number of offences occuring. After just 2 years, in one area of Cambodia, there has been a 70% reduction in the number of children enslaved in the sex trade. These children have a voice that is fighting for them and helping them.
We heard the story of Shalinie, a 13yr old girl whose entire family
were slaves in a Salt plant in India. She had to stand all day long, 7
days a week, in 5 inches of salt water, with a big rake, sifting the
salt out. Her feet were so cracked and blistered because she was not
provided with protective foot wear. Many of you know what salt water
does to a cut...imagine the pain of her feet every day! Her 18 month
old sibling died there due to no medical intervention being brought to
the facility. Her father was beaten when he was too sick to work. They
were not allowed to leave, they were not allowed a day off, they were
not fed properly or housed properly or taken care of in any way. This
is not a life for a family. Imagine for a moment the pain and utter
feeling of helplessness that Shalinie's parents felt - to see their
children endure this torture. Thanks to IJM, they were rescued and
through the aftercare program, are now productive and happy. Shaline
is in Gr 8 and wants to become a Dr. so that she can help heal people as
this will make her happy she says. Her parents employ quite a few
families now in their very own salt facility - they give protective
footwear, normal hours, a decent wage, and holidays. They are hoping to
grow even more, to provide more income to families. They have hope and they have life.
We heard the story of Lisa, a very young orphan, who had been
snatched off the street and sold into the clutches of a Russian
businesman who held up to 20 girls at a time, to brutally rape them.
The girls were tied up and forced to do things that no adult should
have to do, let alone a young girl. They were abused, neglected, and
totally helpless. With the help of IJM, this man (a loose term) was
brought to justice. With the help of the aftercare program, Lisa was
able to heal enough to testify at his trial. She insisted that the
screen protecting young witnesses be removed so she could say what
happened to her with this man in front of her. With her strength and
help, other girls were also able to testify. Lisa is now in high
school and wants to become a lawyer to help others like her. She has
hope, she has her life.
These are just a couple of stories of the millions of women and
children and families being abused, enslaved, tortured, and treated worse than
animals. Young children should be playing and laughing, learning and
loving. They need food and water, shelter and safety. They need freedom, they need life.
Gary Haugen,
working as a lawyer at the U.S. Department of Justice and as the United
Nations’ Investigator in Charge in the aftermath of the Rwandan
genocide, founded International Justice Mission as a response to a need to help those most vulnerable - to actually restrain the oppressors who are a source of great harm to the vulnerable. Today, IJM has grown to more than 300 professionals
working in their own communities to fight injustice. Here is Gary pictured with my brother Ron and his wife Elaine who were the hosts of the table I was 
at. Next year, Doug and I will definitely be hosting a table at their event.
Last year in Vancouver a "Dessert" event was held with 99 people, that raised $30,000. This year that grew into the Benefit dinner with over 300 people in attendance with the hopes of raising $100,000. I haven't heard a total yet, but I'm sure they surpassed that last night. Next year they are hoping to triple the attendance and need a bigger room.
Please consider "showing up" and being a voice for a young child who needs to know that someone in this world can help him/her. Consider having one less lunch out at work this week, or a few less cups of coffee, or one less package of stickers. Every little bit helps, whether big or small, (like the $100 Gary received not long after he started IJM, from a little boy who gave his bike money he was saving up, so Mr. Haugen could go and free the slaves he had heard about.)
YOUR GIFT MAKES A DIFFERENCE
Your
gifts of financial support allow IJM to "show up" on behalf of women
and girls trafficked into prostitution, boys and girls forced to work
long hours in abusive bonded slavery and boys and girls who are beaten
and abused by local authorities. A gift of any amount, whether it is $1 or $1,000 will allow IJM to
serve as a voice for the voiceless in our world, providing these men,
women and children with rescue, support and renewed hope for their
lives and futures.
If you are Canadian and wish to donate or learn more about how you can help, visit the IJM Canadian site here
If you are American and wish to donate or learn more visit the IJM Site here.
They also have a
2009 Holiday Gift Campain. Give the Gift of Freedom in honor of someone special. What a great gift for so many of us who have so much, for the teacher who can only use so many mugs, for anyone in your life who is special.
Sorry this is quite long, and not the usual type of post here, but it is very important.
What legacy do we want to leave to the next generation - when someone asks you "what did you do?", be able to answer that you "showed up". You were not one of the ones who ignored the cries for help. You were part of the change!And keep the children in your prayers.
Michele
P.S. Please forward the info on to anyone in your life who you think might be willing to make a difference for these men, women and children, who have no voice.
