“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.” Proverbs 31: 8-9 NLT
The Victims
An estimated 1.2 million children are trafficked each year
95% of victims experienced physical or sexual violence during trafficking
43% of victims are used for forced commercial sexual exploitation, of whom 98 per cent are women and girls
32% of victims are used for forced economic exploitation
In recent trips with teams to Cambodia, Thailand, and India, we experienced the horrors of human and sex trafficking first hand. We spent time with the victims and engaged with the terrific work of Operation Mobilization on the front line and our hearts were pierced.
In 2008 we organized a team to climb Kilimanjaro which included our great friend and FaithQuest Board member Mark Anderson from Operation Mobilization. Then after climbing Mt. Whitney together in late 2010 with John and Lori Gash, Mark’s wife Cathey Anderson (our wonderful FaithQuest Farming for the Hungry Leader and on our Y-Africa Board) felt God speaking to her (from a state of exhaustion!) to lead the charge for developing THE FREEDOM CLIMB.
What is THE FREEDOM CLIMB? Lori Gash, Cathey Anderson and 46 other women begin an ascent of Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania on January 11, 2012, and with an amazing effort, 43 reached the summit January 15. For months before and since the event, the whole team has been raising awareness, prayers, and finances for women and children being oppressed, enslaved, exploited and trafficked. The Freedom Climb goal is to affect the lives of 10,000 women through projects that break the cycles of poverty, shame, slavery, and despair. These projects include micro-loans, education, skills training, and protection from exploitation with our wonderful partner, Operation Mobilization.
Why Mt. Kilimanjaro? The highest mountain in Africa at nearly 20,000′, its summit is known as Uhuru Peak. Uhuru is the Swahili word for freedom. Climbing Kilimanjaro is symbolic of the huge climb to freedom faced daily by millions of enslaved women and children worldwide.
Funds generated from this event primarily go to key projects supported by our wonderful partner, Operation Mobilization (OM). These projects combat slavery, oppression, and trafficking by providing prevention, rescue, and development for children and women in high-risk areas. We can’t win this war alone!
The Vision: Raise at least $500,000 to fund the fight for freedom for 10,000 women and children. Each climber seeks sponsors for $15,000 or more. We boldly invite you to generously give to fight this madness of Human and Sex Trafficking being perpetrated on innocent women and girls, and recognize Lori in your gift as an encouragement to her and the team’s effort!
Operation Mobilization has developed a terrific website packed with details on the projects, bios of the climbers, and more! You can sponsor a specific OM project from this site if you choose, and recognize Lori when prompted:
Click here to explore more on THE FREEDOM CLIMB website
Click here to go the FaithQuest Giving page and support THE FREEDOM CLIMB
Lot’s of ways to be involved, contact us!
Email: Lori@FaithQuestMissions.org / Phone: 949-481-8195
Mail checks to FaithQuest Missions, 25016 Adelanto Drive, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
