Missions
At different times, Freedom International becomes involved in special projects around the world. The main focus of these missions, is the bring freedom to people who are held in captivity. Below we will give you details of current and past mission projects. 10% of our income each year goes towards missions work.
FREEING CHILD PROSTITUTES in INDIA
In 2005 we heard about a Christian scheme in India that was working to free children who had been sold into childhood prostitution and were living in terrible circumstances.
This report highlights the issue:
"There are estimated to be over 900 000 sex workers in India. 30% are believed to be children. Recent reports estimate that the number of children involved in prostitution is increasing at 8 to 10% per annum. Conservative estimates state that around 300 000 children in India are suffering commercial sexual abuse, which includes working in pornography." (Dr Jon E Rhode, UNICEF representative in India).
At a conference around our first anniversary conference, we took a collection and were able to rescue the first three children!! They were taken into the care of the church, examined by a doctor & given any treatment they needed, bathed and then they were taken shopping to buy a new sari for themselves. Getting a new sari and one that they chose is a HUGE thing for these young girls/children!
We have had reports since then & have allowed them to have a childhood since then.
It's been our commitment since then to release as many of these child captives as we can. We are going to add their names to this page and when it is safe to do so, we'll also add their photographs to the website.
So as we approach our third anniversary, we are in the process of trying to release another three girls, or more depending on the negotiations with the people who control them.
Some have asked if by freeing these children, we are putting other younger children at risk. This is not the case. When we take them out of prostitution we also make sure that the people controlling are closed down - forever!