Human trafficking is modern-day slavery, where people profit from the control and exploitation of others.It impacts more than 40 million people in our world today. Human trafficking is a crime in which women, men, girls, and boys are bought and sold into forced labor or sexual exploitation. It is a truly global crisis, affecting people of every age, in every demographic, and in every country in the world.

Nazarene Compassionate Ministries supports church-led anti-trafficking efforts that care for survivors of trafficking and work to prevent trafficking for those who are vulnerable.

 In the Philippines, Shechem Children’s Home is one such ministry. There, children who have been rescued from online sexual exploitation are given a safe place to live while receiving emotional, spiritual, medical, and psychological support, and while plans are made for long-term placement. The children receive care and support from house parents, therapists, social    workers, and Nazarene volunteers. Today we want to share one story of one child’s journey of healing at Shechem. 
 

Chen* is a five-year-old survivor, and she dealt with complex emotions following her rescue. She expressed anger and sadness toward her family for their neglect and communicated poorly with peers while struggling through her feelings. Often, she acted out physically. 

Comprehensive assessment and art therapy sessions have helped the team at Shechem identify Chen’s emotional and psychological needs and given Chen the tools to express her emotions in a healthy way. Through emotional coaching, positive reinforcement, and the facilitation of self-regulation skills like art therapy, journaling, and prayer, Chen has found help processing her traumatic past. She now turns to drawing or playing when she starts to feel overwhelmed. 

During her time at Shechem, Chen has ceased intentionally acting out physically. She says, “It is Jesus who makes me kind, especially for my hands to not hurt others.” The other children say they now love to play with her.

“I listened to my sadness in my chest and heart, then I need this house of Jesus to help me to be happy.”

When you participate in this year’s Freedom Offering as part of Freedom Sunday, you are making a difference in the lives of children like Chen, helping them find hope for a future after trafficking. 

To learn more, visit ncm.org/freedomsunday, ncm.org/antitrafficking, and ncm.org/shechem.

Click the button below to donate directly to the Freedom Offering.

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*Name is changed for protection.