Teaching About Human Trafficking at VBS

Two weeks ago fellow red headed human trafficking abolitionist and educator, Diana Scimone, spear headed a challenge to other abolitionists asking the perplexing question, "How do we educate the most vulnerable, potential victims of domestic human trafficking, minors, without sanitizing or sensationalizing the subject?"

The Department of Justice released a report in May that revealed that 83% of human trafficking is human sex trafficking. Today it is estimated that between 100,000-300,000 domestic children are being forced into prostitution every year.  These children are OUR CITIZENS, they are being forced into what is considered a SEVERE FORM OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING that is happening HERE in the USA. The average age of entry into prostitution is between 11-14 years old!  The number #1 destination in the world to have sex with children is the USA!  There is a HUGE NEED to educate children and parents how REAL this problem is, that it's happening in EVERY neighborhood, and what they can do to PREVENT it from happening to them. 

We followed with Diana's appeal in our E-Newsletter and Blog by presenting our dilemma to develop Vacation Bible School 'Ministry Minute' blurbs for children aged 3 to 11.  The biggest challenge was to do this WITHOUT using words like human trafficking, sex, abuse, rape, victims, etc.  We received many responses via all forms of social networking and appreciate everyone's input and ideas.  Below is what we came up with and we hope that it might inspire you even more in the development of such important educational tools for minors.  We'd love hearing from you as you develop yours as well and to know if this has helped you. 

NOTE:  'Ministry Minute' will be read all five days of VBS and a corresponding video with pics and images from Beauty From Ashes outREACHes & ministry work will be shown. The local church sponsoring the event chose Beauty From Ashes as their support ministry and will be asking the children to bring in items for our outREACHes daily.  Items such as beauty supplies, dinner paper products, toiletries, bookmarks, etc. will be given and presented to me at the parent's dinner/final evening.  We'll also have our information table set up to inform parents more about the scope of the problem and what BFA is doing to help.  

Here is what we came up with...again keep in mind this is for children ages 3-11: 

DAY ONE:

There are more slaves in the world, the United States, and South Florida than ever before.  Beauty From Ashes is a unique ministry that helps set the slaves in the Fort Myers area free and across the nation. Beauty From Ashes helps freed slaves to heal and understand that God loves them no matter what they do and to become all that God wants them to be.  Because it is strangers that make girls, boys, and women into slaves, Beauty From Ashes wants you to remember to never talk to strangers, especially at these strangers’ most popular places to catch slaves: on the Internet, at the Mall, at Parks, at the Movie Theatre, Schools, Corner Stores, and at Bus Stops.

DAY TWO:

The Bible says that Jesus came to set the captives free and that we should all be like Jesus. Beauty From Ashes is Jesus’ hands to girls, boys, and women trapped in modern day slavery. Beauty From Ashes helps them to be free and teaches them that God loves and values them no matter what.  Because it is strangers who hurt these girls, boys, and women, Beauty From Ashes wants you to remember to never talk to strangers, especially on the Internet, at the Mall, at Parks, at the Movie Theatre, Schools, Corner Stores, and at Bus Stops.

DAY THREE:

Beauty From Ashes helps hurting girls, boys, and women in this area and nationally to be freed from slavery and to heal.  Beauty From Ashes shares with hurting and broken girls, boys and women the Good News about God’s wonderful kindness and love. Beauty From Ashes is fulfilling the Great Commission by helping these hurting girls, boys, and women to learn how to be like Jesus. Because strangers are the ones who hurt these girls, boys and women, Beauty From Ashes wants you to remember to never talk to strangers, especially on the Internet, at the Mall, at Parks, at the Movie Theatre, Schools, Corner Stores, and at Bus Stops.

DAY FOUR:

Beauty From Ashes reaches modern day slaves locally by serving them yummy home cooked meals and giving them special gifts that include the Word of God, beauty and hair supplies, inspirational books, toiletries, and gift items that tell hurting girls, boys, and women that God loves them no matter what, wants to rescue them, and has a good plan for their future. Beauty From Ashes wants you to remember that strangers hurt these girls, boys, and women and wants to protect you. Don't ever talk to strangers, especially on the Internet, at the Mall, at Parks, at the Movie Theatre, Schools, Corner Stores, and at Bus Stops.

DAY FIVE:

Beauty From Ashes helps slaves to become free and receive the assistance they need to heal and become new creations in Jesus. Beauty From Ashes helps make beauty from ashes in the lives of hurting and broken girls, boys, women, and men in the Fort Myers area. So, to prevent you from becoming a slave, Beauty From Ashes wants you to remember:  Never talk to strangers, especially on the Internet, at the Mall, at Parks, at the Movie Theatre, at School, Corner Stores, and at Bus Stops.

For more about Beauty From Ashes Ministries Ministries, please visit our website. 

To stay up to date with what we're doing and how you can help, sign up for the BFA E-Newsletter by CLICKING HERE.

SCHEDULE BFA FOR AN EVENT:  BFA provides education, in services, and trainings on human trafficking for social service agencies, universities, churches, groups, businesses, and clubs.  To schedule a speaker and for more information, CLICK HERE.

A huge THANKS to everyone that contributed to this project, especially Sanibel Community Church and your willingness to boldly go where no other children's program has ever went! 

Awareness to leads to Prevention, Intervention, and Restoration.

In His love & service,

Julie Shematz

Founder/CEO Beauty From Ashes Ministries