To succumb to the enormity of the problem is to fail the one

This has been the heart and the drive behind IT’S NOT OK Projects from the very beginning, when our founder, Leigh Ramsey, had these words written on her arm as she saw the devastation of a country trying to rebuild itself after years of damage from the Pol Pot regime.

To this day, there are so many broken lives as casualties of an entire nation’s trauma. And each one of these lives carry immeasurable value.

This is why we exist.

From day one, our work has proven not easy. We face challenges of a deep-rooted culture of shame that a young girl carries after sexual exploitation and the challenges of working with a developing legal system.

This season has taught us that there will always be a new challenge. No one saw the COVID-19 pandemic coming and if we’re honest, it’s another ‘enormity of the problem’.

Experts warn that the COVID-19 crisis is putting human trafficking victims at risk of further exploitation as unemployment sweeps the globe. Lockdowns, travel restrictions, resource cutbacks and other measures to curb the spread of the new coronavirus are putting victims of human trafficking at risk of further exploitation, while organised crime networks could further profit from the pandemic, according to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime.

Yes, it’s enormous.

No, we will not give up.

Rather than focusing the overwhelming difficulties that face us, we fix our eyes on the ones.

We focus on Kosoma* and Vira*, who sadly lost their father just a few weeks ago and need an abundance of love and support through their grief.

We focus on Nita*, who at just 4 years old, was brought to us out of a violent and dangerous home. For now, we are her new family and we see so much value in the responsibility of showing her what love really looks like.

We focus on so many other young girls, each with their own stories, needs and aspirations.

Sponsoring a girl could cost as little as a Netflix subscription but we promise you that it will mean the world to a young survivor who is given new hope and new life.

Purchasing from our online store is another way to focus on the ones in need. The restrictions and current challenges have meant that unfortunately we no longer have work for those employed by the HER Initiative. Every purchase goes back to assist these families and provide them with the support they need.

Join us in looking out for the one.