Love, Respect & Hope

On my ongoing quest to find the right partner for GNVF, I am conducting my first site visit to a safe house in SE Asia very soon. This will actually give me first hand exposure and experience with survivors of sex trafficking/exploitation, and the organizations that support them. Due to the confidentiality of potential partners, and the Executive Director's request to keep the organization and the women/children I meet out of my blog, I will only write in very general terms (no names, dates, pics). It'll be interesting to update my blog after I return, to report on the reality of the situation vs. speculation. My experience with overseas philanthropic travel has taught me that views are usually challenged, experiences usually exceeds expectations, and learning's are deep and meaningful.

The organization I'll be visiting offers a safe community for sexually exploited women. They are dedicated to empowering women to find self worth, healing and happiness through emotional support, education and job training. I'll be involved in the job training during the day, and outreach in the red light district area in the evening. 

This organization provides things that were absent from the victims before they found this organization  -- love, respect and hope. I feel absolutely privileged that I'll be living alongside these amazing women, and learning the true meaning of resilience, love and forgiveness.

"Where there is love, there is life" -- Gandhi

p.s.

Several more meetings with other potential partners are also set before the end of the year. Exciting plans are brewing behind the scenes, so you'll have to hold tight for the grand unveiling of the details behind the GVNF Anti-Trafficking Fund shortly after the New Year. Until then, check out http://www.gvnfoundation.org/programs/antitrafficking/