When you think of the injustice of sexual exploitation, what comes to mind?
If you had asked Andy and I (Laura) that question several months ago, we would have said something about it being a huge issue worldwide. We may have mentioned one of the numerous countries around the world where women and girls are trafficked and exploited as well as some of the amazing rescue stories we've heard from organizations bringing light to some of the darkest corners of our globe. And as the conversation came to an end, we would have said in passing that we just wished we could do more.
Today, our answer is a bit different. Sex trafficking and sexual exploitation are not just issues worldwide. They are Canadian issues. And they are happening all around us. The Calgary Police Service estimates that roughly 3,000 women are caught in the sex trade and the average age for recruitment is 13 to 14 years old!
These are huge, overwhelming issues, but there is something we can do.
The first step in fighting these injustices is to get educated. Sex trafficking and sexual exploitation are complex issues that we knew very little about before joining this fight. Organizations such as Exodus Cry and movies like Nefarious: Merchant of Souls have helped us to gain a more holistic picture of what sexual exploitation and sex trafficking are and what we can do about them.
Second, we can hike! We are joining Freedom 8848 in the hike up 5600 meters (the equivalent of Mt. Everest's Base Camp). By doing so, we hope to raise $5,600 each or $11,200 total to go directly towards Next Step Ministries, BRAVE Education, and IJM, a few of the incredible organizations here in Calgary that are already working to prevent, rescue and restore victims of sex trafficking.
We invite you to partner with us in this goal and to join the fight against these injustices.
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After 6 men sat together in the Bow River basin and discussed the GIANT of
an issue of SEX TRAFFICKING, it was easy to use Mt. EVEREST as a metaphor.
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 | - - "Standing at the base of Everest it seems insurmountable, too big to conquer, but the reality is, it isn't. The first step is to decide to pack a bag and move towards it." - Rem (Founder) |
Why 8848? Because, Mt. Everest is 8848m tall. The idea was born to summit Everest not overseas but, here in the Alberta Rocky Mountains. These men were inspired to create The Freedom 8848 Team Everest Challenge as a justice initiative of 4th Musketeer Canada following a 72 hour wilderness journey called Extreme Character Challenge -XCC.
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The Freedom 8848 Team Everest Challenge was created to raise funds, awareness and most of all empathy for those who have quieted voices. To support and find ways to protect those who are enslaved, on a recovery journey, the frontline organizations, our children, and anyone else who is directly or indirectly involved.
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- - - - - -"I just couldn't sit on my couch and think there was something I could be doing to help someone who was being trafficked"- Freedom 8848 member |
-- - - The event is split into 4 tiers:
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"This mission needs your help!"
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As one of the Freedom8848 supporters put it:
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" I hope... that they don’t only climb the equivalent of Everest:
they move the equivalent of Everest."
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The funds raised are donated to carefully selected organizations.
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Freedom 8848, their partners, and all it's participants sincerely ask for your support as we enter the second of many annual events this August 19-22, 2021.
We believe with your help we can become the
"...GROUNDSWELL of people standing together moving mountains for justice."
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Can you IMAGINE?? We can!!
