Bringing Freedom is a charity working to find practical ways to tackle human trafficking and modern slavery.
Founder Naomi Bruce is walking the 125 miles of the Cornish Celtic Way in just one week to raise funds and awareness of all those caught up in this hidden industry.
Human trafficking and modern slavery are activities more suited to the Scandi-noir TV genre than the pastoral scenes of the beautiful Cornish landscape. Sadly, the reality is far from the fiction. Over 46 million people are caught captive within slavery worldwide and the crimes are on the rise in our part of the world.
For Naomi, based in Redruth, the conviction to raise awareness and do something about the problem was laid on her heart way back in 2010. It followed an earlier trip to Asia when she saw the easy availability of the sex industry but naively thought in some way it was a choice. “Then I was across the world, in Australia, listening to Christine Caine, founder of A21, a charity that works to abolish slavery. She was talking about Falmouth, how it was being used as a port for human trafficking and I was undone. Listening to everything that was said, I felt God lay on my heart his sorrow about the sex-working industry and the plight of all those caught up in human trafficking.” Naomi says she didn’t weep with her usual discretion, she howled.
Naomi went back to Asia, with fresh eyes, and was broken hearted to witness two little girls, impeccably dressed in doll-like clothes, holding hands and being led away. “My primal instincts roared, and I ran towards them. But my friend intervened and pulled me away, fearing for my life.” Naomi says it was the hardest thing she has ever had to do, leaving the children to their fate. But, as painful as it is, she keeps the memory close as a constant spur to bring about change.
After multiple fundraising efforts for other charities, including raising £5k by walking 500 miles of the Camino de Santiago, Naomi felt prompted by God to start her own small charity.
WALKING THE CORNISH CELTIC WAY – IN ONE WEEK!
Naomi has set herself a challenge to walk the full 125 mile route in just seven days to raise money for Bringing Freedom.
“The challenge is good! When I think of the pain suffered by all those caught up in human trafficking, it’s important to be reminded when things get tough why I’m doing this.” – Naomi Bruce
The goal – to start a halfway house
Naomi is hoping to raise money to start a half way house. Currently, those fortunate to be rescued from trafficking are placed in a safe house for around 45 days. But that really isn’t long enough. The stats for what happens after that time make grim reading. Many drop off the radar, feared murdered, others get re-captured and too few manage to find a way forward with their lives.
“Safe houses are a place of restriction and security. Obviously, it has to be that way to protect the victims, but it’s almost another form of captivity. A halfway house will help to ease the transition into, what could be for the first time, a so-called normal life. We hope to offer counselling, education and a safe environment that helps engender life-skills, confidence and better outcomes.” It would mean a constant place of refuge available for victims for as long as they need it, offering friendship and long-term support.
If you want to follow Naomi’s journey on the Cornish Celtic Way, she will be regularly updated her Facebook page, where you can also find details of how to support the project. Her adventure along the Cornish Celtic Way begins on July 13th in St Germans, finishing on July 19th at St Michael’s Mount.
If you want to get involved with Bringing Freedom please contact Naomi by Email or follow her on Twitter. You can also support Bringing Freedom through Go Fund Me.