For 1.2 million children, human trafficking is a reality. For a young Serbian woman, Biljana, it happened at the age of 10. Now 21 years old and free from her traffickers, Biljana has learned to read and write through FAIR Fund's JewelGirls program and is building her own life. In her first trip to the United States, she shared her story of survival at FAIR Fund's 5th annual Pearls of Purpose Gala on May 4th. And I was lucky to attend the event and hear the stories of the survivors first hand.
Many Washingtonians came to support the cause and contribute to raising the funds to fight human trafficking. Hundreds of guests showed their support for the FAIR Fund organization's mission, along with CNN Investigative Reporter Amber Lyon, who served as the evening's emcee. Honorary hostesses included DC's former First Lady Mrs. Michelle Fenty, US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), US Representatives Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Jackie Speier (D-CA), and Gwen Moore (D-WI).
Biljana is one of hundreds of young girls globally helped through FAIR Fund’s work to prevent human trafficking of youth and empower young girls.
“Pearls of Purpose is not only our biggest fundraiser of the year, but it’s an opportunity for our supporters to meet survivors like Biljana and other JewelGirls to see how they’re being helped by the support of donors,” said FAIR Fund Executive Director Andrea Powell. Currently the program supports 200 teen women in Serbia, Russia, Uganda, and Washington, DC.
Funds raised through ticket sales and a silent auction went toward assisting victims and survivors with immediate crisis intervention, art therapy and prevention and awareness community training programs.
Attendees participated in the silent auction featuring items from local and national businesses ranging from tickets to sold out concerts and autographed sports memorabilia to five star restaurant certificates and rounds of golf with the pros.
Guests were treated to hors d'oeuvres, desserts, open bar and live music from Trio Caliente.
FAIR Fund's DC JewelGirls, also survivors of trafficking, presented their own handcrafted jewelry, which was available for purchase.
For more information, visit www.fairfund.org. FAIR Fund is a DC-based international nonprofit organization that works to prevent human trafficking and sexual violence in the lives of youth, especially girls, around the world. FAIR Fund builds the capacity of communities to better identify and assist youth aged 11 to 24 who are at high risk or have been exploited via human trafficking and sexual violence. FAIR Fund has active programs throughout USA.
It is also worth mentioning that DC has been also one of the active in charities and fundraising activities cities in the country. In the last few years I've attended many events to benefit various important causes and issues, such as domestic violence, homeless animals, poor and sick people, immigrants and ethnic communities, and countries/places that experienced natural disasters. Seeing people of various age, color and social status come to support, basically, strangers has always amazed me to the point that I've become a strong supporter of such events. And I'm glad I have a rare privilege to have a voice to tell other people about.
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