Why I Volunteer - Ashley

by Ashley Hargest   

When I would hear about human trafficking, I always thought it was something that only went on in other countries. I never thought of it happening in my own backyard. When I first became aware of how much trafficking is currently going on in my own city, I couldn't believe it.

The first time I really started comprehending what human trafficking is, I was in shock, then I became angry, then my heart completely hurt for these people who aren't even treated as human beings. When I read that the average age girl who is trafficked is the same age as my little sister, something started stirring inside me even more. I can’t even imagine.

I was recently watching some videos and hearing the stories of some of the survivors in the area and I was sitting there, tears rolling down my face, feeling completely sick to my stomach. There was no way I could continue to sit on the side and not take action. As I sit here in the comfort of my own home, many victims all around me are fighting for their lives. I want to be a part of something that strives to put an end to this gut wrenching “business”. I want to be a part of something that seeks to show these victims their worth and value and to know that they are loved. This is why I’m so blessed to get to be a part of what End Slavery Tennessee is doing!

To learn more about what's happening in YOUR backyard and what End Slavery Tennessee is doing about it, watch this five-minute video.

[vimeo http://vimeo.com/61593231]