By: Juliandra Durkin
April is sexual assault awareness month and highlighting Wipe Every Tear is one way that WM can partner with women who are oppressed, in hopes of shedding light on the issue of human trafficking and sexual exploitation. Wipe Every Tear is a faith based organization that rescues girls trapped in sex trafficking in the Philippines and Thailand, where they have safe houses to take care of women and their children. Take a look at the interview with Kenny Sacht, the CEO and Founder of Wipe Every Tear that sheds light on the mission of Wipe Every Tear.
Tell us where your passion of helping to abolish sex trafficking began?
Isaiah 61:1 says, “The spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed.” When I was leading a volleyball trip in the Philippines someone pointed out the sex trade. Upon returning from that trip, I began to research and as I clicked I narrowed in on the Philippines I couldn’t believe what I was reading. It was in that moment I knew I HAD to do something. We started with 1 girl- paying for her teeth fixed and for her education. Fast forward a few years and we are now caring for over 80 women and their children all by the power and love of Jesus.
Can you share any short testimony of girls being rescued?
We have a girl who was left to be raised by her aunt. At the age of 13 she was forced to work in a bar selling her virginity to pay for her families to survive. When we found this girl she had been working in the bars for almost 9 years. She was addicted to smoking and was a spotlight dancer, which means she was on high demand. Sally* was met by our team during outreach 2 years ago and joined our very first “Girls Getaway” trip. After this trip she transitioned into our care and is now one of our house leaders. She wants to become a missionary and share her story of restoration with the world.
How does a person get caught up in trafficking? What are some awareness insights you can share with our leaders?
People get exploited in the sex trade by extreme poverty. These girls are literally starving and when a job opportunity presents itself, they’ll go with no questions asked purely out of desperation.
What can our readers do to get involved to stop sex trafficking?
PRAY and PARTNER. This battle is against spiritual forces. Worshiping over these nations and this injustice really does change the world!!! Partnering with groups that are bringing hope and freedom to these precious girls allows more lives to be transformed. Without our supporters we wouldn’t be able to help the amount of girls that we do!
Are there words of hope that you can speak to our readers who might carry this burden of trafficking today in both the USA and abroad?
God has a heart for justice! Say YES to what Jesus has for you and your life! His love is so mighty and strong and He wants to use YOU to transform this world.
Kenny Sacht | Wipe Every Tear from Crash Eleven Productions on Vimeo.
PC: All media comes from wipeeverytear.org
Juliandra Durkin is the manager for Wonderfully Made’s blog Know Your Value. She also writes at Written Jewels, a personal blog with stories and reflections on life. Besides writing, she spends her free time exercising or out in nature. Give her a beach or a mountain; sunrise or sunset, she loves it all, especially walking her dogs in the woods! A graduate of Westmont College, Juliandra was able to attend three study abroad programs exploring Spain, parts of the Middle East, and Mexico. These experiences gave her a heart for culture and travel and she hopes to get more stamps in the passport soon!