Little girl rescued from trafficking, now adopted by forever family
Natalie* was rescued at six months old and has been waiting for a family to welcome her. For years, she has been praying for her mommy and daddy to finally bring her home. We are happy to report that she is now with her forever family! We know that she will thrive and blossom in the embrace of her new family. She is loved and chosen, forever treasured.
This is just one story of one little girl. Children who are orphaned or put up for adoption are not only defined by children who have lost parents or don’t have committed adults to care for them. This also involves children who have been rescued from exploitation, trafficking, abuse, or were in at risk environments.
Exploitation of Children in the Philippines
One of the most vulnerable people group of the Philippines are children in poverty. And because of this unfortunate reality, they are the most likely to be exploited.
According to studies by International Justice Mission (IJM), the Philippines is the global hotspot of online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC).
About 500,000 Filipino children have been trafficked under OSAEC. It was discovered that 1 in every 100 Filipino children have been trafficked. And too often, the horrific truth is that perpetrators can be the child’s parents, family members, or trusted family friends. 83% of the traffickers were determined to be their biological parents and other family members. Because of this, children rescued from these environments are put up for foster care or adoption.
Adoption and foster care can be the answer to these children’s prayers.
Adoption is redemption.
The hope is for children to never be victimized at all— to have strong and healthy families that are safe and environments they can thrive in. But it is not the end for those who have been exploited and exposed to horrible circumstances. For them, hope abounds all the more.
These children need to be protected, nurtured, and given a bright future. To have a good chance at life, to live out everything they are destined to be, a family needs to come in and open their hearts for a child needing a safe and loving home.
Family is the answer. Being rescued is not the final chapter of their story. They need to be set up for success and this is only found in a family that will choose to love them and support them throughout their journey of redemption.
Their stories are not over. There is life after all that they have endured. You can do something about this. You can be part of a child's redemption.
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