Help Provide Access to Education for Survivors

February, 2016 Project Update
By Edith Okupa, Executive Director

Dear Donors,

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT without which we are unable to carry out this important work. As a donor, you are receiving this email because we wanted to report that your money is being put into good use to help survivors of sex trafficking.

The one beneficiary of our Project in Denver, Colorado who was empowered as a result of our Aspire Mentorship Program to return to school is doing well in school. She faces challenges with concentrating on her studies because she has to work part-time and take classes also part-time. But we are encouraged by her determination to get education. We are proud to say that she has imbibed the importance of education and is pursuing it with all vigor.

The acute trauma survivors go through as a result of their trafficking experiences sometimes makes it difficult for them to be consistent or stay focused. This is the case with our other survivor who earlier, was enthusiastic about pursuing Criminal Justice but backed down and has been unreachable! This is one of the major challenges we face with survivors – the struggle to get them to stay focused. While we are working hard to keep them focused and imbibe a life pattern outside of the sex trade, the “johns” and pimps are targeting them for victimization. We are fighting this through more awareness – involving communities, and mentorship program.

We want to mention that some of your donations went to creating awareness to engage community members in this work. Without community members, restoration work is not feasible. Education alone is not enough. We capture the attention of our girls through our Aspire Mentorship Program. This 40 week ASPIRE program provides a platform for the sustainability of the restoration of survivors. Its improved curriculum earnestly discusses life skills and social empowerment. We believe this Program will help the survivors embrace education and stay focused. This is our next Project on Globalgiving.

Remember, there is power in numbers. Without your continued contribution we cannot do this work. We will continue to fight to fill the gaps left by policies that forces the release of survivors out of shelters/housing programs, unprepared for the harsh conditions in society. This leaves them more vulnerable and at risk of returning to their abusers.

We appreciate your overwhelming support; its impact on our work is profound. As we begin this Aspire Program, we would be bringing you direct reports from our girls (without their pictures for safety reasons) perhaps you may better appreciate how you are touching lives and engaging in social change.
THANK YOU again for your partnership. If you want to hear more about our good work, please contact me at: eookupa@restorationpi.org. It is always a pleasure and encouraging to hear from you.

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