Creating freedom & bright futures for survivors of human trafficking with Sarah Symons | India & Nepal
Get ready to be INSPIRED, INFORMED, and IGNITED (=discovering a bit more of what matters to YOU), during this ONLINE & LIVE experience: The Seeds Storyteller Series with Sarah Symons. We will be talking about why it matters so very much to her to create freedom and bright futures for survivors of human trafficking in India, Nepal, Cambodia and Thailand through her organization, Her Future Coalition.
The Seeds Storyteller Series is a FREE online experience that is curated and facilitated by Sarah Davison-Tracy – author, speaker, and founder of Seeds of Exchange, a community committed to making a difference locally and globally, together, through community, storytelling, and giving. Welcome! We’re glad you’re here!
Here’s a replay of our conversation on January 8, during the Seeds Storyteller Series – or you can watch it on YouTube:
WHY THIS MATTERS TO ME …
With all my heart, I believe that the lights of our lives turn ON when we find ways to love, care, and serve each other … especially those on the margins, the outsiders, the hungry, the sick, the vulnerable. So, pay attention to what makes your heart thrum, brings tears to your eyes, a knot in your stomach. I believe those are the things that are often clues to our next steps and leaps … to our purpose on the planet … and is what makes our lives glow.
ABOUT OUR STORYTELLER …
I am passionate about giving survivors – and girls at the highest risk for gender-based violence – the tools they need to rebuild their lives and create their own bright futures. It is out of this passion that Her Future Coalition (HFC) was born. Through HFC, we provide shelter, education, employment, therapeutic arts, and counseling in an environment of dignity and LOVE, and it works! It is my greatest joy to see girls go from a place of such hopelessness and despair (immediately following rescue) to a place of independence, joy and giving back. -Sarah Symons
Sarah began Her Future Coalition because she cannot stand by knowing these truths:
- 13 year-old girls forced to service 15 or 20 men each night in a brothel
- Girls so deeply in their trauma, they can’t feel their own arms or legs
- Elementary-aged children who cannot attend school, but spend much of each night hiding from predators in red light areas
- Little girls living on the streets, always sleeping face down and covering their heads with blankets, so passersby won’t know they are girls and sexually assault them
- Survivors who don’t know how, or don’t dare to express what they want to do in any given moment, simple choices like what to wear or what to eat, and more important decisions, like whether they want to go back to school or do vocational training. They veer wildly between passivity and rage. They trust no one because everyone in their life who was supposed to love and protect them has let them down.
Fifteen years ago, we launched Her Future because I – and my husband a few committed friends – decided to do something about situations like these. Together we fight the continuous violence and dehumanization against the most vulnerable girls in the world, and get the see the future transformed for thousands. -Sarah Symons
We are honored to be partnering with Her Future Coalition for the month of January for our Seeds Fundraiser. Stay tuned for the donation link!
NUDGES TO CONSIDER OF INSPIRED ACTION …
1 – COLLABORATE! … FORM A TEAM on GoFundMe and help us raise funds for a special occasion or celebration … or just because you want to! (Contact me for info or to set your team up.)
2 – ASK FOR A DONATION to be made as a gift for your next birthday … GIVE a gift in honor of someone you love for an upcoming holiday or celebration. Learn more and DONATE: Forever free & surviving human trafficking.
3 – CONNECT WITH, follow, and friend our team:
- Her Future Coalition: website | Instagram & Facebook
- Seeds of Exchange / Sarah DT: website | Facebook Instagram YouTube | Sign up to receive stories from ‘round the world to inspire & ignite
4 – SHARE! Send this link to 5 PEOPLE passionate about human trafficking, making a difference, education, our global community, and/or human rights. Let’s see how we can EXPAND this organization’s community connections!
5 – WATCH: 1 – “It Takes a Girl”, about HFC’s work around the world bringing freedom and a fresh start to survivors of human trafficking, 2 – Sarah Symons’ Ted Talk on Living Heroically – or click on the videos below and watch ’em right here.
6 – LEARN MORE with these resources suggested by Sarah Symons: Movie: “The Day my God Died” (trailer below) | Book: “Sold” by Patricia McCormick or “Sex Slaves” by Louise Brown
ABOUT THE SEEDS STORYTELLER SERIES …
The Seeds Storyteller Series connects you with EVERYday changemakers from around the world: activists, visionaries, artists, philanthropists, entrepreneurs, educators … (the list is long and the ways to make change are vast!). Whether you’re interested in being INFORMED about global happenings from amazing changemaking friends of mine, looking for some INSPIRATION in your life today, or eager to be IGNITED more in your unique ways to make a difference, join us for this conversation from anywhere in the world!
xo,
-Sarah Davison-Tracy – Author | Speaker | Founder, Seeds of Exchange – Making a difference locally and globally, together – Community | Storytelling | Giving