Imagine reading this news brief:
Breaking News: American Orphans Get Kicked Out of Public Schools, Nowhere to Go: Predators Wait
At the end of their freshman year of high school, American orphans are left fending for themselves. No longer integrated into the public school system, the federal government provides each orphan with $120 and a wish of “Good luck!” as they drop them in their respective inner cities.
These children stop to purchase a cell phone or some clothes, and then go one of two ways: Some move back to their neighborhoods, although they lack any family or connections, and others attempt to find jobs.
However, predators are numerous and falsely advertise vague jobs in the newspaper, offering a doorway into trafficking under the guise of legit employment opportunities. Others wait in the neighborhoods for those who do return, pretending to be employers looking for workers.
Most of these orphans end up kidnapped and working in Mexico and Canada, making pennies a day for sexual services.
That would be shocking, wouldn’t it? We’d be enraged. Rally.
Thankfully, that is not the scenario in the states. However…
—
While we’re here in Moldova, we’re trying to learn everything we can. Yesterday, we started at the beginning — how do so many children (20-25% of Moldova’s population, most orphaned and most female between 16-24) end up being sex trafficked? Where does this cycle begin?
A lot of the problem begins through the orphanage system.
Take, for instance, the eleven year old girl we met yesterday at an orphanage. At fifteen, she’ll be released out into the world on her own, with no family or connection to anybody out in the city. The government will provide her with a small sum of money, not even enough to rent a room for a month.
This girl is completely vulnerable…and the predators know it.
They’ll advertise “real” jobs in papers, promising good work in other bordering countries. Naive and unsuspecting, these girls will go for an interview, and typically get drugged, kidnapped, and moved into another country. Their papers will be stripped away and changed and they’ll gain a new identity.
Sex slave.
Not knowing how to escape, being violated and told they’re worthless, and that nobody cares, they see no hope — no reason to escape. Some commit suicide.
The reality is nobody really will miss them. Moldova is a small country, and 30,000 women and children disappear every year without a trace. Without identities.
Nobody knows they’re gone, and nobody misses them.
—
As we sat in a rather large orphanage yesterday, I couldn’t help but stare at each girl. They varied in age from maybe five or six to teenagers, and I knew the teenagers would be soon sent out on their own to fend for themselves. Some may find a transitional home which will help educate them, put them through tenth-twelfth grade (or beyond) and keep them safe. But there would be some who would simply disappear.
And nobody would know.
A year from now, I wonder if I’ll even remember their faces – glowing brightly with youth and what I could only imagine is hope.
Or will I also forget as they disappear into a system of the worst kind of crime and suffering?
—
Today, we are meeting with some organizations that are on the solution side of this issue. I hope tomorrow’s update will have a better ending than the stories I heard today.
(**Note: Just in case it wasnt clear the story about American orphans is not true. It is a parallel to what is happening here in EU and Russia for context.)
Comments
65 responses to “Breaking News: American Orphans Get Kicked Out of Public Schools, Nowhere to Go: Predators Wait”
“nobody misses them.”
heartbreaking…
.-= Josh´s last blog ..He Will Respond =-.
Wow, its hard to believe that with 20-25% of the population, that there is a veil of deceit that can cover such a huge crisis. Thank you for shining a light on the darkness. I pray we would all have the wisdom to act on what we learn and to do our part.
My heart breaks as I read this.
Nothing more I can say and only thing I can do is pray right now.
.-= Jim F.´s last blog ..My New Prayer =-.
Wow this really allows me to see reality. All of my life I have been protected from the real world and now I see all of the things that girls my age are going through. I can’t believe this disease that most teenagers get ( believing they are ugly or that they have nothing to offer anyone) is finally taking over our lives and is being manipulated in such a way that they see no hope.
Thank you for sharing your experience. The more the world knows about this, the more likely lives will be changed.
.-= Elizabeth Laryn´s last blog ..Living the Life Set Before Us =-.
my response is a sickening mix of rage and sadness. thank you for sharing this – i had NO idea. most of our teens have NO concept of this level of danger and depravity. my guess is that the idea of being “set free” at 15 would be attractive to our kids. they have NO idea. is there ANYTHING we can do?
.-= heather´s last blog ..Queen of Putrescence =-.
Enlightening…Please continue to expose and uncover. Sad thing is I found out Atl Metro area is one of the main hubs for Human Trafficking…such a tragedy. Not sure if you have heard of http://www.streetgrace.org
Quick question Anne: It says American Orphans. Is this also about American orphans or those in Moldova?
.-= Christie´s last blog ..A Sweet Interlude =-.
Moldova. The American parallel is just to bring it into our perspective.
I figured it out…just got confused for a moment! Thanks for clarifying! Praying still.
.-= Christie´s last blog ..A Sweet Interlude =-.
There are between 100,000 and 300,000 children trafficked in America every year…this HAS become a U.S. problem and we as the church need not to turn our heads but help rescue these children… We are in the process of raising money to build a home for US trafficked minors here in Pa…there are less than 100 beds available in America and when they are “rescued” they are considered a criminal and prosecuted as a child prostitute… instead of being treated as a victim which is what they are. There is no such thing as a child prostitute!!!! then they are thrown into the Juvenile detention system, and then foster care where no one really knows how to deal with the trauma they have been through… I know; I have had 3 of these girls in my home and the foster care system doesn’t restore them to the wholeness that they can only find through Jesus Christ…that is why I am so passionate about not only rescuing them but restoring to them what satan has robbed…!!!!
Agreed Debbie. I live in a city that as one of the highest trafficking percentages in the nation. And it has nothing to do with being a border state with Mexico.
.-= Prudence´s last blog ..Fearful of There =-.
debbie – i think you answered the question i asked below… this is so incredible to realize its in our own back yard… heartbreaking
.-= Jenny´s last blog ..Repeated, confirmed, and delivered: Still Speaking… =-.
Anne,
This breaks my heart. Thank you for telling their stories, and for writing in such a way that we have to see them as our daughters, our sisters. Sometimes it is easy to distance ourselves from people who are far away and convince ourselves they are a little less human than are we. That precious little face in the post could be my baby. And the mama tiger in me wants to scoop her up in my arms and dare any slime ball to try and touch her.
This is an incredibly important story. Keep talking to us.
<3 s
.-= Shelia´s last blog ..Postcards From Holy Week… =-.
These are the kind of stories that make me and my wife know even more that we will be adopting. She was adopted from Korea, and we want to let our family heritage be about adoption instead of blood lines. Up until now we have only really looked at adopting from Korea, but reading this, I realize that wherever God directs us to adopt from is where we will go.
Thank you for being willing to get uncomfortable to expose the challenges of those without a voice.
Be safe!
I think that’s why the church tends to avoid this issue, it’s so big and so so so evil that we feel completely and totally overwhelmed. I don’t want to let myself become numb to this, I will pray for these girls, for these places and for the people of God to work to find a solution.
.-= V. Higgins´s last blog ..Where fear tempts me to stay home… step out =-.
Thank you for telling their stories, honestly and from your perspective (and similarly ours). My heart breaks for these little girls. Even the 15 year old, she is still little girl. We are in the midst of an international adoption and the question we constantly get is, why? Here is another reason on a very long list.
.-= McKt´s last blog ..A New Baby and My First Baby =-.
Thank you, thank you for spreading the word about trafficking. So many people have no idea that this goes on, or that up to 20,000 children and women are trafficked into to the US every year. We need to pray for and play a role in abolition, in the name of Christ.
Thank you for going there and telling us about this. I knew it happened, but your writing made it hit home.
What can I do? I’d personally like to go over there and destroy every sex traficker, but I know that isn’t possible(until I raise the money for my mercenary robot army). But what can I do now? How can I help? I’m looking forward to hearing more of what you have to say. Thank you.
I’m holding back tears. I wish I could adopt them all.
.-= Amelia´s last blog ..The business of handwriting =-.
This makes me want to pack my bags and move there just to be someone who will miss these women and youth, someone who can break the cycle even for just one person. Thank you, as always for sharing the truth, even the things most people don’t want to hear.
.-= Jess´s last blog ..In Which I Make a List =-.
Thanks for bringing awareness to this atrocity. Praying for your time there.
.-= matt bortmess´s last blog ..chocolate treat =-.
Anne, how can we get involved? And what can we do to help these women? We can pray, but prayer is not enough. Every time I read a story like this, about sex-trafficking, it breaks my heart, and the more I read, the more I realize it is happening everywhere. For someone like me, I don’t know where to begin to help, but I want to. Hopefully you’ll cover how we can get involved in later blogs. I’m sure you will.
As always, love your heart.
Great way to hook us into the story, Anne! However, while the stats may be somewhat different, it is still very true in many states as well that when you turn 18, you “age out” of the foster care system here. Some states are better than others at this, but they can be come just as vulnerable.
Here or there, it’s still a tragedy.
This is breaking my heart Anne. I have daughters 17, 16, 12, and 10. I cannot imagine this happening to them and I know the Father loves all the girls you are meeting (and the ones you won’t get to meet) infinitely more than I love my daughters.
Our hearts need to break like the Father’s over this. Thanks for being our eyes and ears over there.
.-= Mike Raburn´s last blog ..When I say nothing at all =-.
Like Mike I have daughters, ages 5, 3 and 2. I can’t imagine any of them, any of the friends, any one period, experiencing this sort of pain, isolation, and destruction of a life. It breaks my heart. So what can we be doing to help?
.-= JD´s last blog ..What Music Puts You in Mood…for Repentance? =-.
“Not knowing how to escape, being violated and told they’re worthless, and that nobody cares, they see no hope — no reason to escape. Some commit suicide.”
Evidently, they see some reason for escaping if they’re committing suicide… that is their escape because any other “escape” wouldn’t be an escape for them.
That stuff is insane, but it reminds me of the need for Jesus. Because Jesus is the only person who can truly provide that escape for them… or anyone for that matter.
-Marshall Jones Jr.
.-= bondChristian´s last blog ..What you need to know about asking people what they want =-.
Moldova is a place that is near and dear to my heart and completely changed my mission in life. I have been 4 times and last summer spent 3 months working with human trafficking victims and orphans at risk for trafficking.
I’m not sure how structured your trip is, but there are a couple projects that you may have interest in. One called Beginning of Life a non-profit started by Moldovans. They have an after care home for victims, and an excellent prevention program. I also worked/ lived at a transitional living home for orphaned girls 14-19. It is a prevention program set up by Justice and Mercy International. I would be happy connect you with the directors of these programs.
Both projects are for sure worth a visit!
Praying for your team!
Ingrid
We met with Vladimir today :)
Fantastic! He is an amazing man of God!
I would love for you to connect with Grace House, it is the transitional living home for teenage girls who have no where else to go.
You will fall in love with these sweet girls, and it will probably lift your spirits quite a bit. The family who owns the home goes to Vladimir’s church. Small world.
Email me for the directors address if your interested. :)
that breaks my heart. i have 2 daughters approaching that age, and 2 sons already that age. i can’t imagine…and quite frankly, my heart won’t allow me to go there. profoundly sad.
.-= hope hammond´s last blog ..christian bubbles =-.
I can’t wait to hear about the organizations offering solutions. Right now my heart is breaking and wants to go to Moldova today to take in as many girls as possible.
.-= Mindy´s last blog ..A New Revelation =-.
Mindy,
Check out http://www.justiceandmercy.org. They offer trips to Moldova, orphan sponsorships, and a transitional living home for girls who are too old to the orphanage.
Lots of great opportunities!!
I went to Chishnau, Moldova the summer of 07 for a few weeks. I am encouraged to hear of others who have a heart for them as well. Thanks for the post!
Go, Anne. Seriously. I can’t even begin to imagine how to bring down such a system, but it looks like you’re taking the first hacks at that ponderosa. I’m trying to tell everyone I know about your story. And that’s saying something. I’m always skepitcal about blogs, but you, your blog…..
Go, Anne.
That sums it up.
.-= Brandon Sneed´s last blog ..Todd’s story: “Unwanted” [Entry 1.1 – REJECTION, Part 1] =-.
My heart is breaking. Thank-you for sharing. Tell us how we at home can help.
.-= Danica´s last blog ..Catch-up Chat =-.
My heart just breaks for this issue..for these girls..for these precious lives. Thank you for continuing to bring awareness about this.
.-= Jonathan Jacob´s last blog ..Every fiber of my being =-.
I echo everyone else who has asked…what can I do?
God, bless the trip Anne is on and annoint her blog to open our eyes. Amen.
I was wondering. Are the orphan boys also at risk? What is the percentage of boys that trafficked? This is absolutely sickening. My heart breaks for these children.
.-= Prudence´s last blog ..Fearful of There =-.
Orphan boys in Moldova have different risks that are equally as devastating.
80% of orphan boys end up in organized crime (the mafia.) Sadly these boys often end up being the traffickers of the girls that they grew up with.
JMI is starting a new program called Boys2Leaders to prevent this from happening- http://justiceandmercy.org/advocate/programs/boys2leaders/
So it’s not only rescuing and educating the girls, but educating the boys and rescuing them from furthering this devastating thing.
.-= Prudence´s last blog ..Fearful of There =-.
That’s so horrifying. Can’t wait for tomorrow’s post. Right now I’m ready to move to Russia and set up a girl’s school or something …
.-= Lex´s last blog ..Baby Makin’ =-.
Anne,
This reality has been recently boring its way into my heart. It is a sad, sad reality and we who can do something have got to do something. Thanks for the sober reminder of the true ugliness of the situation by the parralel with the USA
Anne, so many people want to do something. This is an issue extremely close to my heart. Let’s talk about offering a way people can help. We’ll be writing about sex trafficking and the church’s response in our September/October issue. I’d like to find a way to galvanize these people who want to do something and those who are already doing something. Let me know if you want to talk…
Compassion and other orgs that provide education and vocational training are effective on the prevention end in places like Thailand and the Philippines, but I know squat about what’s being done for those already in the sex trade.
Thanks for the education. Eager to learn more about what we can do for these girls.
Few questions, if you get a chance:
What is the U.S. government or UN or EU currently doing to pressure Moldova’s government to take action? What IS the Moldovan government’s official stance/action on sex trafficking? What is the state of the Moldovan church? And what action is she taking on the issue that you can see?
.-= Shaun Groves´s last blog ..Boys Are Stupid =-.
Natalie Grant’s organization the The Home Foundation does a lot for after care, so does Love 146.
From my experience in Moldova (I have been 4 times, and spent my last summer there.) The majority of the Moldovan church does not want to get involved with this issue for a couple of reasons:
1. It is dangerous, 2. They do understand that these women do not choose to be prostitutes, 3. Avoidance, it is easier to look the other way. They don’t want to get there hands dirty.
There are a few of churches that are actively involved in this fight, but it seems like the majority want to stay out of it, especially the Orthodox church.
Do not get me wrong though, there are MANY who deeply care about this issue. A church’s pastor that I know and worked with started a non-profit in Moldova called Beginning of Life, and it is an after care and prevention program for trafficking.
Everything Ingrid says is what I see. Home for Hope is another org we have connected with that is small but deep and strong in rehabilitation.
It’s illegal here – but the cops know. And it has maybe lessened in severity but it is still very present. It’s just covered up differently and made to appear legal – girls going on their own for jobs…that’s free will. They’re being lied to, obviously, but he said/she said.
The IOM is probably the biggest “government” identity that is working here and that has strong relationships with the NGOs also working here.
But what Ingrid says about the church is entirely true generally speaking.
Moldova just celebrated (or mourned, depending on who you talk to) their freedom from communism…1 year ago yesterday. So lots of things are changing, but many things are still very corrupt.
.-= Anne Jackson´s last blog ..Breaking News: American Orphans Get Kicked Out of Public Schools, Nowhere to Go: Predators Wait =-.
I’m so glad you connected with Home for Hope. I have a friend Elena who works with them.
They are run by Project Rescue-www.projectrescue.com
Definitely pay attention to tomorrow’s post…
How can I help?
Anne — my heart breaks about this. I work with abused children here and we are starting to some sex trafficking but nothing to this level.
Thank you for being bold and stepping out.
.-= Mary R Snyder´s last blog ..No, I don’t want to be Beth Moore =-.
Are adoptions possible for Americans from Moldova?
Yep
Anne,
Human Trafficking has been the priority of my heart, alongside unreached people group ministry. I’ve read the books and still this is so hard to read.
We are showing the “Not For Sale” documentary at our church on Friday night, I’m putting together an info packet and I’d like to use this post, if you’re cool with that. I’ll give credit :) If not, shoot me an email, thanks.
Go for it! Thank you.
Also – our church has partnered with Philip Cameron ministries in Moldova, they have homes for girls that are released from state care so they dont end up on the streets and in sex trafficking. Lord Jesus…
The exact same thing is happening here in America.
Yes it is…. America needs help also…
Thank you for telling this story and opening our eyes and hearts through sharing what you are seeing and learning. As an adoptive parent of a Russian baby girl (who’s now 6) my heart is especially tender toward this topic.
.-= Holly´s last blog ..To Honk or Not to Honk, That is the Question =-.
This is such a heavy topic. It’s hard to know what to do in the face of such evil and deprivation. My prayers are with you as well as my tears. You’re such a light; I greatly anticipate tomorrow’s post.
Heartbreaking. It makes me infuriated about those young girls whose lives are literally stolen from them. Told they are worthless and forced to have sex with every paying customer. Being a mommy to a beautiful 4 year old little girl it makes stories like these even harder to stomach. And it should be that way. Because if it didn’t make me so uncomfortable and angry then I wouldn’t want to do anything about this.
But I do. I think we all want to do something and help. Thank you Anne for continuing to bring awareness to issues like this. As Christians we are called to share the love of Christ with all. To spread hope to the hopeless.
.-= Tiffany´s last blog ..Growing Up =-.
Debbie Colton (who posted above) is right. It is an American problem too. Underage prostitution doesn’t just happen overseas.
i went through missions training w/a couple going to Russia to work with at risk teen boys. they were at risk because they were “transitioning” from the orphanage system out on their own. This couple was working to start ministries where they try and rescue as many of these boys from the streets as possible. this was before i knew anything about sex trafficking.
looking back, i wonder how many of these boys were trafficked also?
i wonder how many of these kids come into our borders? I know that when i was living in Atlanta – the ATL airport was one of the highest trafficked airports in the US – both for arrivals (trafficked people from other places here) and transitions (trafficked here and then taken somewhere else)… i can’t remember what the term was. so tons of people in the churches in ATL were active in fighting this…
DC has a huge international airport… makes me wonder how much of this is going on in my own back yard too…
.-= Jenny´s last blog ..Repeated, confirmed, and delivered: Still Speaking… =-.
Jen,
Many people think that trafficking has to be from one country to another or from one state to another but one of the most frequent traffickers are called familiar traffickers…this is where the child knows their trafficker… such as an aunt, Uncle, brother, sister or even their parents… many parents in America sell their children for drugs or drug money… trafficking is when anyone sells another person for money or to benefit them in any way.. many of the kids are drugged and taken away.. a lot of the teen girls are trafficked by their “boyfriends” because of the lack of a father in their own lives they look for approval and love in any form… so they are told if you really love me then you will do this…it is a form of brain washing… these girls are so abused… mentally and physically.They then build this tough wall that is almost impossible to tear down… because it is their defense mechanism… These kids are tough and it is a really tough ministry.. but God is faithful.. one of the girls we had in our home is now married and have children and our youth pastors at their church… but she was one of the toughest girls I had.. but once she let God in her heart… she truly was a new creation…Their are many ways to get involved in America.. if you would like more info..go to sharedhopeinternational.org. It is an organization that researches and has all kinds of info… and statistics.. I don’t know where you live but if you would like more info on things in Pa. I have some more web sites and names that I could give you… Pray for more faith based homes to open in America… there is such a need for them… ~debbie~
This is a great post and I love the way you introduced the topic…..We have the same problem in Ukraine that you described in Moldova. Thank you so much for highlighting this problem that is raging out of control in Eastern Europe!