Book 52: This is No Ordinary Joy

Human trafficking is a huge problem in many countries. In some poor villages, virtually every young girl has been sold into the sex trade, and children of both sexes are sold to do factory or agricultural work. Millions of women, men, girls and boys are enslaved in various ways around the world.




Sarah Symons began an organization called Made by Survivors, which sells jewelry and handbags made by young women who have been rescued from slavery. Made by Survivors trains girls and women in a trade so that they have a way to support themselves (and often their young children) outside of prostitution. The organization also sponsors at-risk children so they can attend school. Educating a girl to the tenth grade or above virtually guarantees that she will not be trafficked.

This book is the story of how Made by Survivors began and grew. I found it particularly inspiring because when Sarah began her organization, she had two young children. She mentions that parents of young children can be more energized to do this kind of work, but I wish she had given a few more details about the logistics of parenting full time while being deeply involved in a humanitarian cause.