“Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else
is more important than fear.” - Ambrose Redmoon
Courage. It is the ability to move forward with an unbreakable spirit and determination, to look at the obstacles and fears ahead and still decide to make the next step, to be willing to stand alone. As Ambrose Redmoon eloquently notes, courage is motivated by a deep, unrelenting passion for something, something that is so crucial and important that it dwarfs all other concerns. Courage is the hallmark of a true hero, and for the 2012 TIP Report Heroes, the passion that motivates their courage is a strong desire to end human trafficking.
Every year since 2006, the TIP Report has honored a few men and women around the world with the title of “Hero”, recognizing their tireless efforts to free slaves and make preventative changes that will save countless others. This practice is an effective way to highlight the importance of individuals in this fight, and it links government policies with individual action. This year’s ten heroes span the globe and range from members of law enforcement, civil servants, and nuns to attorneys, NGO leaders, and even a survivor of labor trafficking. The heroes are Marcelo Colombo (Argentina), Jeannett Richardson-Baars (Aruba), Anne Ghallagher (Australia), Vannak Anan Prum (Cambodia), Raimi Vincent Paraiso (Republic of Congo), Phil Hyldgaard (Greece), Azezet Habtezghi Kidane/Sister Aziza (Israel), Maria Grazia Giammarinaro (Italy), Fatimata M’Baye (Mauritania), and Gary Haugen (United States).
Just reading their bios and stories is a testament to the uniqueness, resilience, and strength of humanity. There is Fatimata M’Baye, who became the first female attorney in Mauritania despite experiencing racism and imprisonment; she fights for human rights and legislature to criminalize human trafficking. There is Sister Aziza, an Eritrean nun who led a human trafficking research project that interviewed hundreds of victims of sexual slavery and torture; she courageously and compassionately listened to the stories of the survivors and knows the importance of their voices. And there is even a hero who is a survivor himself: Vannak Anan Prum, a Cambodian who was forced into labor slavery in Thailand, enduring torture, starvation, and then months in detention. By telling his story and lending his own efforts to end human trafficking, Mr. Prum is showing how empowered survivors are an integral part of raising awareness and keeping others from being trafficked.
Others among the heroes come from some of Trade of Innocent’s action
partners: Gary Haugen from International Justice Mission and Phil Hyldgaard from the
A21 Campaign. They both lead incredibly effective NGOs, Hyldgaard in Greece (and
spreading through Europe), and Haugen based in DC with offices all over the world. In
the sometimes overwhelmingly hopeless realm of human trafficking, Hyldgaard and
Haugen have both proved that with relentless action and compassion, changes can be
made. And as one example in the 2012 TIP Report proves, these changes are powerful:
“After four years of IJM partnership with local law enforcement in Cebu, Philippines, the
availability of minors for sex decreased by a stunning 79 percent.” This is a victory that
could not have been possible without the dedication and devotion of passionate heroes.
But these kind of incredible results don’t happen overnight. They take months and years of difficult work, an unflagging determination to continue despite the risks and failures. It can be seemingly hopeless and utterly fruitless at times, but these heroes have had the courage that keeps them moving forward even when they feel alone or their efforts seem ignored. The only thing that could keep them going is a cause that is important enough - and the cause of victimized and exploited men, women, and children is most surely enough.
Courage. It is the ability to move forward with an unbreakable spirit and determination, to look at the obstacles and fears ahead and still decide to make the next step, to be willing to stand alone. As Ambrose Redmoon eloquently notes, courage is motivated by a deep, unrelenting passion for something, something that is so crucial and important that it dwarfs all other concerns. Courage is the hallmark of a true hero, and for the 2012 TIP Report Heroes, the passion that motivates their courage is a strong desire to end human trafficking.
Every year since 2006, the TIP Report has honored a few men and women around the world with the title of “Hero”, recognizing their tireless efforts to free slaves and make preventative changes that will save countless others. This practice is an effective way to highlight the importance of individuals in this fight, and it links government policies with individual action. This year’s ten heroes span the globe and range from members of law enforcement, civil servants, and nuns to attorneys, NGO leaders, and even a survivor of labor trafficking. The heroes are Marcelo Colombo (Argentina), Jeannett Richardson-Baars (Aruba), Anne Ghallagher (Australia), Vannak Anan Prum (Cambodia), Raimi Vincent Paraiso (Republic of Congo), Phil Hyldgaard (Greece), Azezet Habtezghi Kidane/Sister Aziza (Israel), Maria Grazia Giammarinaro (Italy), Fatimata M’Baye (Mauritania), and Gary Haugen (United States).
Just reading their bios and stories is a testament to the uniqueness, resilience, and strength of humanity. There is Fatimata M’Baye, who became the first female attorney in Mauritania despite experiencing racism and imprisonment; she fights for human rights and legislature to criminalize human trafficking. There is Sister Aziza, an Eritrean nun who led a human trafficking research project that interviewed hundreds of victims of sexual slavery and torture; she courageously and compassionately listened to the stories of the survivors and knows the importance of their voices. And there is even a hero who is a survivor himself: Vannak Anan Prum, a Cambodian who was forced into labor slavery in Thailand, enduring torture, starvation, and then months in detention. By telling his story and lending his own efforts to end human trafficking, Mr. Prum is showing how empowered survivors are an integral part of raising awareness and keeping others from being trafficked.
But these kind of incredible results don’t happen overnight. They take months and years of difficult work, an unflagging determination to continue despite the risks and failures. It can be seemingly hopeless and utterly fruitless at times, but these heroes have had the courage that keeps them moving forward even when they feel alone or their efforts seem ignored. The only thing that could keep them going is a cause that is important enough - and the cause of victimized and exploited men, women, and children is most surely enough.
Read about the individual heroes here: http://www.state.gov/j/tip/rls/tiprpt/
2012/192362.htm
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