Seek Out and Stop Child Trafficking (S.O.S.)

As you can see by these stories, your gift arrived just in time!

Without a male protector in her family, Bamini was in a vulnerable position. Forced child marriages are common in Sri Lanka and at the age of 14, she was at great risk.  

But thanks to your gift, Bamini was able to escape this reality and find refuge in a World Concern Children's Club (which your gifts help support).  Here, young girls like Bamini learn about the dangers of trafficking and their rights as young women. At first shy, Bamini has grown to be one of the more outspoken members of the Children’s Club in her village. You have clearly given her the confidence to speak out and the hope of a better (and safer) future ... thank YOU!

But sometimes the threat comes not from the community, but from within. Rathy, (not her real name) became a victim in her own home when her father sexually exploited her. Afterwards, Rathy’s father requested to marry her.  This shocking proposal was reported to World Concern's S.O.S. Hotline by a concerned neighbor. Your gifts keep this emergency hotline staffed 24/7 and it became Rathy's lifeline. 

Because of what you did, we're pleased to say that Rathy found protection. With immediate intervention, Rathy’s forced marriage to her father was prevented.

We hope you know how valuable you are. Your gift is providing girls like Rathy an escape from circumstances where they find themselves powerless. You empower girls like Bamini to rise above traditional norms, and community members to take a stand against accepted traditions, such as child marriages.  

Thank YOU!

Kids always tell each other secrets, and usually keep them from their parents.

But when 14 year-old boy Sutha heard that his young girl cousin was sleeping outside and not going to school, he immediately let his mom know. 

Living in a poor, fishing community in Sri Lanka, Deni (not her real name) hadn't had a happy childhood. Abandoned by her father, Deni had grown up around older fisherman, watching her mother be abused and mistreated as a prostitute. 

Deni's only release from this heartbreak was found at school, but when the fees became unaffordable, Deni found herself alone and looking after herself. Not knowing what to do, she left school and began to keep company with the fisherman. Night after night, this vulnerable 14 year-old would wander off into the darkness, sadly having no choice but to follow in her mother's dangerous footsteps. 

When Sutha's mom heard about this, she immediately contacted World Concern's S.O.S. Hotline, which your gifts helped pay for. 

Learning of the trouble that Deni was in, World Concern's child-protection officers found and rescued Deni, putting her into a safe-house. They let Sutha and his mom know that she was safe and as you read this, Deni is now out of harm's way and being cared for. She is back at school, and is now learning about her rights as a child. Most importantly, she now understand that people like you care for her and want to help her find a better life. 

Thank you for all that you've done to rescue Deni. Because of you, and her brave little cousin Sutha, this precious girl can now escape the abuse and exploitation around her. 

If not for you, Deni would be at high risk of being trafficked, and may have disappeared altogether. 

There are many children in these poor villages that need your help. Yet as you can see, your gifts are making a life-changing difference. Please consider doing your part to rescue another little one like Deni.