Restore Dignity and Self-Worth to Trafficking Victims
When you think of the work of WorldCrafts artisan groups, what comes to mind? Do you think of women boldly reaching into Asian red light districts to rescue women who are victims of trafficking? Do you think of mobile clinics traveling into these same areas to provide instant HIV testing? Do you think of counseling and medical consulting and community centers? Our artisan partner Eden Ministries uses each of these outreaches to restore dignity and self-worth to women imprisoned in lives shaped by horror and shame.
“I now have warmth and joy in my life . . . I hope more girls from the red-light areas can come to Eden and have a transformed life.”
What Is Eden Ministries’ Purpose?
The victims rescued by Eden Ministries are desperate. They have no homes, no shelter, no food, and no one to turn to. They have no resources for medical care. Most of those rescued have no sense of their own value and no sense of personal identity apart from their traffickers. They live in terror of being recaptured and returned to the streets. A majority have developed PTSD because of the violence and exploitation they’ve experienced. These women are lonely and lost. They have no understanding of the transformative love of a Father.
Once rescued by Eden Ministries, a woman receives immediate medical attention and trauma counseling. As these former victims transform into survivors, they begin learning about health and nutrition, personal budgeting, and baking. Many learn trades, such as jewelry making, so that they can provide for themselves and their children. Above all else, these precious ones learn that they are adored and esteemed by their Father.
What Are Eden Ministries’ Goals?
Eden Ministries has a vision for extending the love of the Father to every person trapped in sexual slavery. Once rescued by Eden, a trafficking survivor finds herself in an environment where she feels safe and is treated with dignity. She learns she can become whole again as her physical, social, emotional, and spiritual well-being is gradually restored. On this path to wholeness, Eden provides stable employment tailored to each person’s gifts.
Eden has a vision to transform entire red light district communities through prevention, outreach, and advocacy strategies. To begin accomplishing this vision, Eden is opening a new community center initiative. In the midst of a red light district, a center is planned to offer business training classes for both men and women. This center will impact the entire red light district, both traffickers and their victims.
The vision doesn’t end with the communities immediately surrounding Eden. Its ultimate goal is to call all the nations to speak up for those who have no voice until every exploited person is freed from sexual slavery.
How Can You Help Eden Ministries Artisans?
WorldCrafts partners with Eden Ministries through our Support Freedom campaign. Our partnership enables many young women to begin new lives.
In recognition of Eden Ministries’ vision to call all nations to speak up, WorldCrafts carries the Speak Up collection created by these artisans in Asia. In the Speak Up collection, you will find the Speak Up Bracelet, Speak Up Earrings , Speak Up Necklace, and the Speak Up Keychain. Each piece features Proverbs 31:8-9 handwritten in cursive, “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute, Speak up and judge fairly, defend the rights of the poor and needy.”
Your purchase of items in the Speak Up Collection provides a two-fold means of helping victims of trafficking:
- First, with each purchase you join WorldCrafts in enabling an artisan in Asia to earn a living wage that represents dignity and hope for the future.
- Second, your purchase provides you an avenue for advocacy against exploitation and human slavery. When people comment on your jewelry or keychain, (and they will!), you receive a platform to share Proverbs 31:8-9 and to advocate for fighting global trafficking and exploitation.
Listen to these words written in an open letter to the girls in the red-light districts by an Eden Ministries’ artisan: “Through Eden, our Father has helped me in every way imaginable – in my living, food, shelter – I now have warmth and joy in my life. I really hope you can join us here. I hope more girls from the red-light areas can come to Eden and have a transformed life.”
Will you partner with us to fight human trafficking and sexual exploitation in Asia?