We’ve seen some things…

A note from co-founder and interim board president, Kimba Langas.

Next month I celebrate my 55th birthday, and as the saying goes, “I’ve seen some things”. There’s another birthday before mine, though.

Free The Girls turns 13! 🥳

And I find myself reflecting on what I’ve seen since April 28, 2010.

I’ve seen awareness of human trafficking explode, and with that came myths and misconceptions--and sometimes even politicization of the problem. 

I’ve seen the good and bad of the power of social media. Free The Girls started as a Facebook page and social media has served us well in getting the word out and collecting both bras and bucks. But I’ve also seen social media spread misinformation about trafficking like wildfire—taking attention and resources away from where it’s needed most. 

I’ve seen lives changed. Not just survivors, but those of donors and supporters. I’ve read poignant handwritten notes tucked in with bras sent to us by husbands who lost their wives to breast cancer. I hold sacred the stories I’ve heard from supporters who were drawn to help the women in our program because of their own lived experience with trauma, exploitation, and abuse. 

I’ve seen my own life change. My heart has shattered, and I am forever haunted by stories of women, men, and children enduring the unimaginable in order to line the pockets of people who think their own lives hold more value over others. My passion about trafficking has expanded to a broader, deeper ache for anyone treated as “less than”. 

I’ve seen the conversation shift from rescue to restoration. From saviorism to empowerment. From pity to pragmatism. From the what to the why. I ruminate on that quote about how we need to quit just pulling people out of the river and move upstream to find out why they are falling in the river in the first place.

I’ve seen the language shift alongside the thinking. I’ll admit, I cringe at some of the language I (we) used in the early days of Free The Girls (“former slaves”, “victims”, “voice for the voiceless”…ugh)

I’ve seen voices of survivors silenced, then amplified. Women once criminalized are now leading the conversations and looked to as experts. As they should be.

I’ve seen Free The Girls move beyond bras to a more holistic approach to reintegration: economic freedom, restored health, social well-being, education, and opportunity for a different, hopeful future. I’m energized and inspired as we dig even deeper to define “trauma-informed” and continue working towards true freedom (as defined by the women themselves!) in a healing-centered way.

I want to see more. More solutions, not quick fixes and band aids.

I want to see a world where we never stop addressing (and dare I hope—finally eliminate) susceptibilities to exploitation—like poverty, lack of social support, lack of education, and lack of opportunity.

I want to see a world where we look beyond opportunity and ensure everyone has access to those same opportunities.

And, most importantly, I want to see a future where organizations like Free The Girls no longer need to exist.