The SA Foundation is making a difference in the lives of survivors of human trafficking and sexual exploitation. This non-profit organization focuses on helping survivors rebuild their lives through various programs, addressing both their physical and emotional needs. We spoke to Carla S., the Director of International Program Development, to find out how the SA Foundation is playing a crucial role in breaking the cycle of exploitation.
Describe your charity/non-profit/volunteer work in a few sentences.
Our charity provides a long-term recovery solution for women and girls trapped in situations of sexual exploitation and trafficking. We train, equip and mentor leaders in countries around the world to implement our program model.
What problem does it aim to solve?
Our program provides a way out of enslavement for young women and girls in places where they would have had no options. It then helps them to heal from their trauma, rebuild their lives and equip them with education and job skills to build a new future for themselves and their children.
When did you start/join it?
I joined the organization in the early years of its development, almost 32 years ago!
What made you want to get involved?
I got involved as a volunteer first and when I met the women involved in the first program in Alberta, I knew that I had to be part of helping them. The lives that they had lived were so full of abuse, abandonment and betrayal and I wanted to be part of helping them to build a better future for themselves.
What was the situation like when you started?
When I started there was no awareness that prostitution was sexual exploitation. People believed that they were just fallen women with no morals who wanted an ‘easy’ way to make money.
How has it changed since?
It has changed a lot, although much needs to be done. There is education now that the women involved in the sex trade are victims, and that the life they live is a life of degradation and trauma. Globally we refer to them as sexually exploited, versus “prostitutes”. We have a realization of how trafficking works and how many millions of women, girls and children are trapped in trafficking each year.
What more needs to be done?
There is always more education to do! We hope that every person would understand the gravity of this situation and would be enraged by the sale of our women, girls and children. It is a social evil that has no boundaries. Every child is at risk, and every girl and woman who is in a vulnerable situation can fall prey to these traffickers. Laws need to change to persecute the buyers and traffickers. Governments need to support the recovery of these victims.
How can our readers help?
Please, educate yourself on this topic! If you have a mindset that all the women are just bad girls, drug addicts, etc. do some research and we hope you will come to see that they are people, they are someone’s daughter, and they are worthy of support. Our website has a lot of information on it that can help.
Do you have any events coming up?
Yes! November 15th 2024 will be our annual Fall Gala.
Where can we follow you?
Website | Facebook | Instagram
PAY IT FORWARD: What is an awesome local charity that you love?
Sancta Maria House is an awesome local charity making a big difference!
