The most memorable, sad yet hopeful things we heard at the doTERRA convention was when Tim Ballard spoke about Operation Underground Railroad, an organization dedicated to eradicating child sex trafficking. We heard about all they have done and are doing to rescue these kids and put the trafficker's and pedophile's behind bars. Raphahouse is the aftercare place where the kids go after being rescued and DoTerra partnered back in 2016 with both to join forces in these efforts. Here is a small clip
here.
Video of the sting, Dave Stirling (doTERRA CEO) was involved in can be viewed
here.
On September 21, 2018, the doTERRA Healing Hands Foundation, in partnership with Rapha House and Operation Underground Railroad (O.U.R.), announced the funding and construction of a new safe house campus in Haiti. This project will provide basic care, counseling, medical care, education, and vocational training for children rescued from sex trafficking in Haiti.
Since 2016, the doTERRA Healing Hands Foundation has been working with O.U.R. to liberate victims of human and sex trafficking around the world. Recognizing the need for an expanded approach, the doTERRA Healing Hands Foundation partnered with 3Strands Global Foundation and Rapha House in 2017 to address needs in prevention, aftercare, and rehabilitation. Together, these partnerships offer a four-pronged approach to put an end to human trafficking.
"doTERRA's partnership with O.U.R. and Rapha House in Haiti touches many lives and provides true freedom," said Tim Ballard, founder and CEO of O.U.R., in an address given on the main stage at the doTERRA Global Convention. "There has never been this type of facility for survivors of human trafficking in Haiti. Through the partnership with the doTERRA Healing Hands Foundation, O.U.R., and Rapha House, children will not be left without hope. When the child is rescued, healing begins. Thank you so much to the doTERRA Healing Hands Foundation for funding such an important mission."
In conjunction with this announcement, doTERRA and Rapha House hosted a two-day service project where employees and community members came together to prepare backpacks filled with meaningful items for survivors of sex trafficking. In preparation for this project, doTERRA employees colored beads and sewed pillowcases. Volunteers at the event decorated pillowcases, assembled beaded zipper pulls, and made a photo card before filling the packs with items such as personal hygiene products, a journal, colored pencils and a coloring book, a plush animal, fuzzy socks, sunglasses, and a Days for Girls kit.
In addition to its work in Haiti and other countries throughout the world, the doTERRA Healing Hands Foundation supports a wide variety of local causes in the State of Utah, including the roll-out of the PROTECT project in Utah schools. Announced earlier this year as part of doTERRA's 10-year anniversary celebrations, the PROTECT project is a human trafficking prevention education and training program that aims to lower children's vulnerability to being trafficked. Also announced at the 2018 Global Convention is doTERRA's support to help fund the construction of the new Peace House in Park City, Utah. This secure facility will provide victims of domestic violence an emergency shelter and resources as they plan their next steps.
To learn more about these partnerships and ongoing initiatives throughout the world, please visit the doTERRA Healing Hands Foundation website.
