Ofelia was 12 years old when she was trafficked for se by an older man who promised her food and shelter - resources not always available to her family. She was trapped in prostitution for years with no other way to support herself or her loved ones. After working with Free The Girls, she was able to change her trajectory and became the first graduate of our microbusiness development program.
Ofelia went through our buisness training program while she waited for her first shipment of merchandise to arrive in Mozambique. When her inventory arrived, she was hopeful and encouraged, saying,
Her business was so successful she could afford to provide food and shelter not only for herself, but also her daughter, sister, and three nephews.
She had the means to convert her house from reeds to bring, including secure doors and glass windows - a rarity in her community.
Now a respected business woman, Ofelia became a recruiter for Free The Girls, going back to the streets to invite women and girls into a business opportunity that offers dignity and freedom.
“Even if we only sell a small amount, for me it is happiness. It buys bread and sugar and I don’t have to think about my old life anymore.”
With savings in hand, Ofelia applied for a grant through the Inheritance Project, a Free The Girls program that matched her saved earnings. With the help of the grant she was able to purchase a second piece of land - this time in her daughter’s name - breaking down generational poverty and ensuring her daughter won’t experience the same vulnerabilities she did.