These three facts about human trafficking really surprised me it is unfortunate most people do not have a clue about this but awareness brings change, it shines light on the dark so here they are:
1. It has been estimated that there are at least 35.8 million people trapped in human trafficking and modern day slavery. It is happening in North America!
2. Mauritania, Uzbekistan, and Haiti are the top three countries in the world with the most slavery and trafficking by % of population. The number of people enslaved by country is 14 Million in India, 3.2 million in China, and 2.1 million in Pakistan. The people being trafficked include women, children, and even men. This problem is epidemic and huge!
3. The victims of all ages are being used not only physically for labor, or sexually, but their organs are being harvested for people who need transplants. People are being abducted and smuggled into countries for that specific reason.
February 8, is designated the first International Day of Prayer and Awareness against Human Trafficking. All church groups, and religions have been asked to reflect, pray, and bring awareness to the issue of slavery and human trafficking. All are asked to pray for those who are enslaved, are victims and survivors.
This day was chosen to be on the feast of Saint Josephine Bakhita because as a little girl she was abducted and sold into a horrible life of slavery in Sudan, she was then transported to Italy. When she got free she went into the Canossian Sisters and spent the rest of her life in service to others sharing her powerful life story, her slavery experience, shining light on the issue and helping others. She was an incredible model of an over comer.
This Reba McEntire song asks us all to pray for peace, please take a moment today to reflect, and pray for freedom, and peace for those who are enduring slavery and trafficking, also for this atrocity to end.
Talitha Kum is an organization whose goal it is to help these victims of trafficking and slavery to learn more go to https://www.talithakum.info/
For more information on global slavery click here.
