Rescue Operation: September 2014, Mumbai, India
As a result of the generous donations and multiplication efforts from Set Them Free Off Road 2014, we were able to raise over $23,000 (gross) and fund a complex rescue operation in Mumbai, India. This means we funded the provision of local investigative personnel, a safe home for each girl, and legal counsel for all six victims of sexual slavery and exploitation. The rescue operation alone cost approximately $4,500. Each victim received the opportunity to return to her family (if it was a safe situation) as well as physical, emotional, and psychological abuse counseling. The video below shares more about how the girls were rescued out of a small hole in a wall where they were forced to hide when rescue operatives invaded the brothel.
As a result of the generous donations and multiplication efforts from Set Them Free Off Road 2014, we were able to raise over $23,000 (gross) and fund a complex rescue operation in Mumbai, India. This means we funded the provision of local investigative personnel, a safe home for each girl, and legal counsel for all six victims of sexual slavery and exploitation. The rescue operation alone cost approximately $4,500. Each victim received the opportunity to return to her family (if it was a safe situation) as well as physical, emotional, and psychological abuse counseling. The video below shares more about how the girls were rescued out of a small hole in a wall where they were forced to hide when rescue operatives invaded the brothel.
In February of 2015, STF initiated another partnership with Restore Innocence and donated $1000 to help them open Wildflower Ranch, their first residential childcare facility for survivors of sexual slavery for girls ages 13-17. Wildflower Ranch exists so that "survivors of human trafficking can find rest, healing, joy and beauty as well as counseling, therapy, education and so much more". We are truly excited to see these young girls find healing in Colorado Springs, CO.
One of the projects we were most excited about funding is our new brand, rEACH Boutique. rEACH Boutique, established March 2015, will help provide a sustainable salary for survivors of human trafficking by partnering with organizations such as Ruhamah Designs and iSanctuary. These organizations empower young women to build a bright future by supplying them with training in jewelry making, employment, education, counseling, and micro-loans. You can purchase items through our store or HERE. 50% of each purchase is donated to the artisans who handcrafted it.
The remaining funds were reserved for future fundraising opportunities.
One of the projects we were most excited about funding is our new brand, rEACH Boutique. rEACH Boutique, established March 2015, will help provide a sustainable salary for survivors of human trafficking by partnering with organizations such as Ruhamah Designs and iSanctuary. These organizations empower young women to build a bright future by supplying them with training in jewelry making, employment, education, counseling, and micro-loans. You can purchase items through our store or HERE. 50% of each purchase is donated to the artisans who handcrafted it.
The remaining funds were reserved for future fundraising opportunities.
Rescue Operation: September 2013, Kolkata, India
Set Them Free Off Road 2013 raised $10,000 (gross) in our inaugural year and donated $4,500 to the International Justice Mission (IJM) with directive to rescue underage girls from sexual slavery. We are pleased to share a portion of the report that details the operation that secured the rescue of three victims and the arrest of five perpetrators.
"IJM and police worked together on a complex operation to rescue three girls who were being sold for sex. The rescue team went to four different locations to find three different suspects—a remarkable demonstration of close coordination and effective collaboration. But even more amazing was the courageous young woman named Sarika* who made the operation possible in the first place—just a few weeks earlier, Sarika was being sold for sex in a Kolkata brothel. After she was rescued, she told IJM she wanted to help rescue others. Less than three weeks after Sarika was rescued, she set out with the rescue team. From the safety of the car and covered with a burka, Sarika helped lead the IJM staff and police back to the red-light district. The relentless team went to four different locations. During the multi-hour operation, three suspects were arrested, and three more girls were rescued—all thanks to Sarika’s information. Sarika’s information would lead to even more arrests: Police pursued two additional leads and took two more suspects into custody on October 3."
*name alias to protect the former victim
The remaining funds raised from Set Them Free Off Road 2013 were used to establish an inaugural fundraising year budget.
Set Them Free Off Road 2013 raised $10,000 (gross) in our inaugural year and donated $4,500 to the International Justice Mission (IJM) with directive to rescue underage girls from sexual slavery. We are pleased to share a portion of the report that details the operation that secured the rescue of three victims and the arrest of five perpetrators.
"IJM and police worked together on a complex operation to rescue three girls who were being sold for sex. The rescue team went to four different locations to find three different suspects—a remarkable demonstration of close coordination and effective collaboration. But even more amazing was the courageous young woman named Sarika* who made the operation possible in the first place—just a few weeks earlier, Sarika was being sold for sex in a Kolkata brothel. After she was rescued, she told IJM she wanted to help rescue others. Less than three weeks after Sarika was rescued, she set out with the rescue team. From the safety of the car and covered with a burka, Sarika helped lead the IJM staff and police back to the red-light district. The relentless team went to four different locations. During the multi-hour operation, three suspects were arrested, and three more girls were rescued—all thanks to Sarika’s information. Sarika’s information would lead to even more arrests: Police pursued two additional leads and took two more suspects into custody on October 3."
*name alias to protect the former victim
The remaining funds raised from Set Them Free Off Road 2013 were used to establish an inaugural fundraising year budget.