When Faustina’s husband went to the U.S to find employment, she was left penniless with three young children and was pregnant with their fourth child. She chose to generate income, with her young children by her side, selling candies in the streets of Tijuana, Mexico. Here, predators entice children from their parents with gifts and candies. The purpose, to take them captive as slaves, sell them as sex slaves, steal their organs, use them as prostitutes or sell them to families not able to bear their own children.

Recognizing the danger her children were in, Faustina found work at a construction company. The family vacated their small rented room and relied on friends and neighbours for support.

Before long, Faustina discovered The Salvation Army La Gloria Extended Day Care. This anti-human trafficking project, supported by The Salvation Army Canada and Bermuda, officially opened in October 2008. Here her children receive three meals a day and help with school work. She was recently employed by The Salvation Army centre as a cook. She is so grateful. I don’t have to place my kids in danger anymore while I make a living.

At present 29 children are registered. Mothers, grandmothers and caregivers know their children are safe here. Community women fear human trafficking and the danger women and children face in their neighbourhood. Vans and cars drive through communities kidnapping young children, moms are selling their children to get money to support drug addiction and school children walking unsupervised to and from school are taken as captives.

Girls continue to receive job offers abroad where suddenly their job is to sell sex. At the border young girls (‘dusters’) offer to clean car windshields for those waiting in line to generate income. When they get close to the car windows they are fondled and touched inappropriately.

Trafficking is a global problem and protection is a vital part of the fight against trafficking. The Salvation Army is making an impact on modern-day slavery worldwide. The Salvation Army provides street kids ministries, night patrols, safe houses, rehabilitation and counselling, family support and reintegration programmes in its efforts to give hope to those affected by human trafficking.