Let's Act Now!

Human traffickers weren't stopped by the pandemic. In fact, the desperate situation around the world created by COVID-19 created more opportunities for these evil schemes. During the pandemic access to employment in Romania decreased 85% creating greater vulnerability to trafficking.

The war in Ukraine has created similar opportunities for human trafficking. Vans have been showing up at the border, ready to take advantage of vulnerable women and children fleeing from the war.

Traffickers are more ready than ever to carry out their plans. But, we are ready, too! Throughout the pandemic, we've been continuing our work of rescuing girls, of training a network of anti-trafficking advocates all over Europe, and getting The Sanctuary in Romania is ready to receive thousands of precious souls ready for healing. With your help, we've been unlocking the cage. We cannot wait. Let's fling the doors to freedom open wide!

Hear from Beni Lup, our European Director on why we are crying, "slavery no more!"

In the past couple of months, we've shared with you all the exciting things that are happening at Uncaged. In just the past few emails, we've shared with you that the Sanctuary is fully paid off. We've responded to the needs at the border and created simple systems and training to stop traffickers in their tracks. We've told you how we are making the most of our resources to offer holistic trauma-informed care to survivors, including equine therapy, art therapy, and building flourishing relationships between survivors.

We are seeing such exciting things happening on the property, in the lives of survivors, and all across the Freedom Network that is growing through Europe. The time is now to act. We believe we can see trafficking stopped in our lifetime. Will you join us and be a part of what we are doing? Will you be the key?

As Beni Lup says, "We don't want to be found guilty for not acting when we are required to." Let's act now!

Hope is Blooming at The Sanctuary!

The Sanctuary is a dream come true. For a long time, I've hoped for a place where we could unlock transformation for trafficking survivors and work towards ending human trafficking once and for all! This is not just my goal but a reality made possible by the right people coming alongside us here at Uncaged. People like you.

We continue to imagine the future as we look out over the incredible property that will unlock transformation for survivors of human trafficking. What an incredible thing it is to be even a small part of opening the door for these precious souls. When you give to Uncaged this month, you are making dreams come true.

In the summer of 2020, we were able to have the property assessed by experts in agronomy–the management of land and crops. We know that there is still much untapped potential on the land. Making the most of the space will serve survivors by creating a space for them to heal from trauma. It will also provide an opportunity to practice vocational skills as they help tend the land. We have already seen the fruits of this labor serve the wider community this year, as we could provide some assistance with food from our storehouses for refugees crossing the border from Ukraine!

Such exciting things are happening on the property. We had someone come out to scope out an area for a ropes course that will become another tool to build community and promote healing among precious souls. Our gardens are growing. We will be implementing a sensory garden as another healing modality. Our team just planted tomatoes, eggplants, green peppers, and bell peppers. Thanks to the generosity of donors like you, we will be able to purchase our own tractor soon to accomplish much of the needed maintenance and expansion!

There are so many possibilities in this healing space, and we can't wait to share stories of what God is doing here.

What Do Ponies Have to Do With Transformation?

“We’re not going to make a change in human trafficking unless we keep trying different avenues to interrupt this industry.” - Jody Enget

Our 18 miniature ponies run in the shadow of the mountains at the beautiful Sanctuary in Romania. To us, they represent freedom—the freedom we want to see in the life of every survivor. To see this transformation happen, we have to unlock the cage, to use every practice we can to give survivors the tools they need to heal.

Jody Enget knows a thing or two about trauma and the complex approaches needed to help

people heal. A trained psychologist and licensed marriage and family therapist, Jody has worked in residential treatment facilities, as a clinical director, and in various roles in equine therapy programs. She serves with the Mustard Seed Ranch, where members of our team have received equine therapy training. We talked to her about the holistic model we want to see at The Sanctuary to give survivors every tool they need for full transformation.

“The wraparound approach is the right approach,” Jody says. Although equine therapy may not work for everyone, perhaps art will be the thing that connects for them. Having options and alternatives, giving survivors choices and control, is key. “You have to help them find a different choice to find a different life.”

Why equine therapy? Watch this short video on some of the many benefits.

As we utilize equine therapy at The Sanctuary, we know it will give survivors the confidence and skills they need to thrive. Jody told us about some of her experiences working with survivors of human trafficking. “A lot of what happens with [survivors] is they’re hiding their bodies; they’re not willing to drop the protective barriers. They’re the type of client we do a lot with very slowly; a lot of standing outside the arena.”

The structure of equine therapy gives people the confidence and skills they need to deal with the triggers of trauma. As Jody tells us, it helps people move forward, partnered with “the people that are supporting them, building relationships at the same time.”

We have identified the area for building a 50-foot horse pen at The Sanctuary. We will level the area and begin construction soon. This will be a place for survivors to interact with the ponies and experience equine therapy. We can’t wait to see survivors totally restored!