In the past few years we have seen a huge increase in awareness and emphasis on ending sex trafficking and other forms of slavery. This past week I was involved in an event where an interactive display helped participants to understand human exploitation, and an exhibit area focused on organizations that work in the area of human exploitation. I was thrilled to see the number of organizations combating the abuse of women and children, families and communities. Some are involved in releasing the captives, and others are changing the institutions that place people in exploitive conditions.

So what are the institutions that create a climate for exploitation? Poverty is one, and is perhaps the second greatest institution that leads to exploitation. While ministering to women who dance in the nightclubs of Birmingham I quickly discovered poverty was a common cause for women going to work at a strip club. Poverty is also why they often feel they can’t afford to leave. Sadly, very few who are in positions to end poverty are interested in doing much to change the situation. Corrupt corporations and political systems are often partners in keeping the rich rich and the poor poor. Dishonest leaders with money and power, and societal customs handed down from one generation to the next, also reinforce poverty as the status quo, and hinder access to opportunties for the impoverished to find their way out.
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But the greatest exploitive institution is the sinful condition of mankind. Adam and Eve made the first decision that resulted in one human being misleading and misusing another. And only in Christ do we find enough selfless love to live in ways that do not exploit others. Fortunately, for many years, some of those in Christ have been working to give people the hope that God intended for every life. One of these people was a missionary working in Thailand. She began to look for ways to help women escape prostitution. She saw their beautiful needle work and the Christmas ornaments they made. In 1996 she asked WMU®, our parent company, to help provide these women with an income by selling their handcrafts. That was the beginning of WorldCraftssm. Since that time WorldCrafts has partnered with a growing number of groups around the world where women and children are susceptible to being trafficked, are already entrapped in prostitution and desperate to escape, or in danger of being sold into slavery.

Volunteers Selling WorldCrafts

 

Every product sold by WorldCrafts offers hope for a family. One purse may feed a family for a week. A piece of jewelry pays for rice on the table as well as the expansion of business. A Christmas ornament may provide education or medical care.  Best of all, your purchase helps provide a sustainable income so women and families may live with dignity and have hope for a better life. In Christ, you can help end poverty and human exploitation.