Operation FREEDOM
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Operation FREEDOM THE CHALLENGE Globally There are more slaves today than at any time in human history. An estimated 27 million men, women, and children are living in bondage. In 2007, slave traders made more profit than Google, Nike, and Starbucks combined.
There are over one million new people trafficked annually. 80% are women and 60% are children. Every minute two children become victims of human trafficking. The average life span of a child caught in the sex slave trade is two years. They are either beaten to death, contract HIV/AIDS, contract bacterial meningitis, or overdose on drugs forced on them.
United States The U.S. Department of Justice estimates 100,000 to 300,000 American kids under 18 are involved in prostitution and often targeted by sexual predators annually. According to the FBI, the average age of a child sexually exploited is 11. The average age of entry for a girl into prostitution is 13, for a boy 12. The U.S. cities where human trafficking is worst are: Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Las Vegas, San Diego, San Francisco, St. Louis, Tampa, and Washington, DC. Europe Annually 600,000 -800,000 men, women and children are trafficked across international borders. Of these, 70% are women and 50% are children. The majority of these are forced into the commercial sex trade. Each year approximately 117,000 Ukrainians are trafficked-the majority of the victims are women and children. Most women fall victim through phony job offers and are later forced into prostitution. Most orphans fall victim because of the lack of protection and oversight of these children as they leave state institutions.
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Operation FREEDOM Russia is a major source of women trafficked globally for sexual exploitation. It is estimated that 500,000 women from Central and Eastern Europe are involved in prostitution in Europe alone. “HUMAN TRAFFICKING ONLY EXISTS BECAUSE WE CHOOSE TO IGNORE IT” “Being unwanted, unloved, uncared for, and forgotten by everybody. I think that is a much greater hunger, a much greater poverty than the person who has nothing to eat.” -- Mother Theresa WHAT MUST BE DONE To properly address this issue will require the commitment and will to engage this battle on several fronts: 1. Awareness- Not only making people and lawmakers aware of the problem, but warning those at risk of the dangers. 2. Prevention- Implementing programs and tools to keep those most vulnerable from becoming victims of human trafficking. 3. Restoration- Providing an escape and support for victims of sexual exploitation so they may find healing and purpose for their life. 4. Advocacy- work within the system to change laws that will punish abusers , protect victims, and promote convictions of those who exploit others. 5. Pray- to the God of Heaven who has promised to avenge the weak of their oppressors.
MANNA WORLDWIDE-THE ROLE WE ARE TAKING 1. Continue to operate and expand current projects that are protecting children from becoming victims of human trafficking. 1.1 Bridge to Life homes in Ukraine- Smile House, Safe Haven 1.2 Child development in Thailand, Cambodia, and Burma 1.3 Children’s home in Florida 3
Operation FREEDOM 2. Develop a curriculum for schools to warn children of the dangers of human trafficking and give them recourse if they are threatened or abused. 3. Develop network of qualified individuals to lead school assemblies on the topic of human trafficking. 4. Raise awareness in the USA of domestic human trafficking. 5. Facilitate volunteerism to fight against human trafficking. 5.1. Provide information on the issue 5.2. Suggest fundraising methods and encourage creative fundraising to support front line ministries 5.3. Provide framework for people to start a chapter of the Freedom Club in their school, university, group or community to raise awareness of human trafficking. 5.4. Encourage pioneer efforts to creatively get the message out. 5.5. Write/contact legislators encouraging them to pass legislation that closes any loopholes in existing laws, mandates strict punishment for purveyors of trafficking, and supports and protects victims. 5.6. Organize visits to the field to see firsthand what is being done to combat human trafficking. 5.7. Network with other organizations in the global effort to eradicate human trafficking.
OPERATION FREEDOM 2011 LAUNCH Mission Statement: Operation Freedom’s mission is to prevent the innocent from being exploited, pursue all means to end human trafficking, and to restore and empower victims. Goals: 1. 2. 3. 4.
To raise awareness about the dangers and extent of human trafficking. To engage and develop grassroots leadership to end human trafficking. To facilitate mass participation in projects to end human trafficking. To procure funds to aid the fight against human trafficking.
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Operation FREEDOM Youth Camp Events- MANNA is partnering with camp directors, youth pastors, pastors and churches to warn as many teens as possible of the dangers and inform them of the extent of human trafficking. MANNA is seeking spiritual leaders who are interested addressing social injustice to partner with us in the fight against teenage sexual trafficking. We are asking camps to: 1. Provide each camper with a Freedom wristband by adding $5 to the camp cost. Wearing the wristband promotes awareness. Proceeds will go directly to the fight against trafficking. 2. Take a minimum of 20-30 minutes during the camp week to address this issue, show Operation Freedom video, and encourage teens to become involved by directing them to www.mannafreedom.com for information and suggestions of ways to end trafficking. Camps may be themed around the word “Freedom”. (Speakers knowledgeable of the subject are available on a limited basis if the camp would like to invite someone to address this issue with teens. Call 866.719.8987 to request a speaker.) 3. Hold break out sessions following the Freedom video to encourage feedback from campers about the dangers and brainstorming of ideas about what can be done to stop trafficking. A talking points guide will be provided to aid group leader with the discussion. 3.1 For the camper that comes up with the best idea, MANNA Worldwide will award an all expense paid trip to Ukraine in 2012 to travel with a group to visit our Bridge to Life homes for post orphanage children. 3.2 An available option is to “skype in” a MANNA director who can provide insight during a part of the break out session. 3.3 MANNA’s Smile House video which depicts the fate of Ukrainian orphans and efforts to rescue them is also available for showing. 4. We would like to take select youth leaders, pastors, and camp directors with us to visit MANNA’s current frontline activities in the fight to abolish human trafficking.
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Operation FREEDOM
For additional information contact: Jerry Abbott
jw.abbott@mannaworldwide.com 417-459-6574
Shawn Sullivan
s.sullivan@mannaworldwide.com
MANNA Worldwide
817-313-3656
admin@mannaworldwide.com
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817-346-3641