Mar 7, 2018 | Blog, News From the Frontlines, Romania
When she was just 14 years old, Victoria* was forced to become a sex slave for powerful businessmen in Bucharest, Romania. Her mother was an alcoholic, and she had no family support, which left her vulnerable to exploitation.
The situation escalated to the point that her trafficker forced her to receive an important client under threat of killing her mother and her sisters, who were still unaware that Victoria was being exploited and abused.
Finally, after a year of abuse, Victoria was able to receive help from the authorities. She found Not For Sale Romania, and began receiving services as a survivor of human trafficking and sexual exploitation. It has been nearly ten years since Victoria came to Not For Sale Romania.
With Not For Sale Romania’s support, Victoria finished her high school studies, graduated from university, and completed a beauty training program. Now Victoria works in the tourist industry, and volunteers at Not For Sale with new survivors.
The path from being trafficked to regaining empowerment is long, and complex. Victoria’s situation is just one example of the work Not For Sale does together with survivors. What is destroyed in a minute, takes most often years to fix.
We’re proud of Victoria, not only for her groundbreaking recovery, but for being a powerful role model to survivors and women all over the world.
#SheInspiresMe
Mar 5, 2018 | Blog, News From the Frontlines, The Netherlands
“I give you a 100% guarantee that through Not For Sale you will become happy again,” pronounces Faida, one of our thriving survivors at Not For Sale Netherlands. Showcasing immense strength and courage, she has repeatedly proven her ability to battle the odds and persevere despite numerous roadblocks along her path to rehabilitation.
Not For Sale met Faida after her escape from an exploitative domestic trafficking situation. She had traveled to the Netherlands to work as a housekeeper for distant relatives and soon realized the job was not as advertised. Her traffickers forced her to work long hours for no pay, with physical and emotional abuse, and little food. In order to coerce her to remain in her position, they threatened to slander Faida’s name back in her conservative home country.
Despite these coercive measures, Faida made the difficult decision to run away. Her traffickers made good on their threats, and it became impossible for Faida to return home with her damaged reputation. She turned to Not For Sale for help.
Not For Sale Netherlands gave Faida the tools she needed to build her confidence and gain skills to support herself financially. After advancing through culinary training, she has now secured two different jobs as a blossoming chef. She has also worked hard to learn both English and Dutch, making her feel more at home in a country where she once felt like an outsider. Even with all her progress, she still struggles for her voice to be heard as someone affected by domestic work trafficking – an often overlooked human rights issue. Her legal case was thrown out by the court because they regarded it only as a case of domestic violence, not human trafficking. However, Not For Sale has remained firm in its support for Faida and continues to provide resources for her recovery.
Faida will not let the naysayers slow her down. She is determined to make a life for herself in the Netherlands and show the world her capacity to contribute to society as an empowered survivor. #SheInspiresMe
Sep 26, 2017 | Blog, News From the Frontlines, Vietnam
Want to make a bigger impact in ending modern day slavery? You can also partner with us or invest in companies that give back to Not For Sale.
Get more involved here.
Give to change the course of a life affected by modern slavery.
As a child, Hoang* was a victim of severe domestic abuse. Before he received help from Not For Sale Vietnam, he endured in silence and bottled the fear and pain tightly inside him. Recognizing the trauma he had suffered, Not For Sale Vietnam created opportunities to care for his psychological, physical, social, and educational needs.
Today, Hoang has discovered his passions, and rebuilt his self-esteem and trust in the world. Hoang found his dream in becoming a Dessert Chef, and he hopes to travel abroad to learn from French Dessert Chefs in the future. Not For Sale Vietnam will support his goals and help him realize a life where he is able to provide for himself – and find happiness.
Learn more about the Not For Sale Vietnam project.
*Name changed for Hoang’s protection.
Not For Sale partners with the Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation. Blue Dragon kids are street kids, children with disabilities, children from rural families living in extreme poverty, and victims of human trafficking and slavery. Not For Sale and Blue Dragon aim to rescue kids from danger, reunite them with their families when we can, and provide all the services needed for recovery and growth.
Visit Blue Dragon’s page for more information.
Sep 21, 2017 | Blog, News From the Frontlines, Vietnam
Want to make a bigger impact in ending modern day slavery? You can also partner with us or invest in companies that give back to Not For Sale.
Get more involved here.
Give to change the course of a life affected by modern slavery.
NFS x Vietnam || “Brothers Home”
Street kids in Hanoi often need to sleep under bridges because they have no where else to stay… this leaves them vulnerable.. Not For Sale’s work (in partnership with Blue Dragon) places these street kids in shelter and safe environments!
Blue Dragon kids are street kids, children with disabilities, children from rural families living in extreme poverty, and victims of human trafficking and slavery. Not For Sale and Blue Dragon aim to rescue kids from danger, reunite them with their families when we can, and provide all the services needed for recovery and growth.
Visit Blue Dragon’s page for more information.
Sep 18, 2017 | Blog, News From the Frontlines, Vietnam
Want to make a bigger impact in ending modern day slavery? You can also partner with us or invest in companies that give back to Not For Sale.
Get more involved here.
Give to change the course of a life affected by modern slavery.
California friends!
Come and meet Blue Dragon’s founder, Michael Brosowski, and our partners at Not For Sale this Thursday, September 21, in San Francisco. Join us from 6pm for a Happy Hour and a chance to discuss human trafficking around the world.
Be sure to RSVP: ellie@notforsalecampaign.org
Blue Dragon kids are street kids, children with disabilities, children from rural families living in extreme poverty, and victims of human trafficking and slavery. Not For Sale and Blue Dragon aim to rescue kids from danger, reunite them with their families when we can, and provide all the services needed for recovery and growth.
Visit Blue Dragon’s page for more information.
Aug 21, 2017 | Blog, News From the Frontlines
Want to make a bigger impact in ending modern day slavery? You can also partner with us or invest in companies that give back to Not For Sale. Get more involved here.
Give to change the course of a life affected by modern slavery.
In October 2016, Kitty Hu – a film student at UCLA – raised $75,000 for Not For Sale with her youth club, Interact District 5170. Interact is a club for youth ages 12-18 who want to connect with others in their community or schools.
“The biggest lesson I learned was about the power of the youth,” Kitty says. “As students, our potential is often doubted, so it is absolutely beautiful seeing how large of an impact we could all make together, especially for an issue that is so relevant and important in today’s society.”
Kitty’s ultimate dream is to create narrative films that can open discussions for various international issues and serve as a platform for social change. Way to go, Kitty! You inspire us all.
Learn more about Kitty and Interact District 5170 here.
Kitty Hu is a film student at UCLA that raised over $75,000 for Not For Sale last year.
