What is the greatest holiday gift you can imagine giving?
How about freedom?
That’s the gift Marie* received last year, thanks to your continuing support of Free the Slaves.
Marie was a restavèk slave in Haiti. Restavèks are children sent away by impoverished families to live in wealthier homes.
They work difficult and demanding jobs as maids and nannies. They endure physical and sexual abuse, and are denied proper nutrition, sleep or education. In short, they are domestic slaves. Marie was enslaved at age 8.
Fortunately, Free the Slaves and our Haitian partners were training residents in her town to recognize slavery, to protect and rescue children, and to help vulnerable families find ways to care for their children at home. They formed a child protection committee, which they call a KomAnTim.
The KomAnTim learned about Marie’s situation. Malnourished and hungry, she had been caught taking a snack without permission from the woman who enslaved her. As punishment, the woman burned Marie’s hand in an open fire.
Members of the KomAnTim sprang into action, contacting a local court. The slaveholder fled town, leaving Marie behind. One member of the KomAnTim adopted Marie into her home to give her the love and care that every child deserves. Marie is now enrolled in school.
Your contributions allow Free the Slaves to work with groups like the KomAnTim in 600 communities around the world—in Haiti, India, Nepal, Ghana, Brazil, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. These groups are transforming their communities, eradicating slavery, rescuing children and adults. They are the vanguard of a global movement for freedom.
Last year, Free the Slaves supporters like you gave Marie the greatest gift a child can receive. Will you give that gift of freedom to another child this year?
Please donate to Free the Slaves this holiday season.
Thank you!
(*Marie is not her real name.)
