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Theodora's Place Protects Jamaican Girls from Trafficking
FrontLines - September 2009
By Ruth Chisholm
Safe houses like this one under construction in Jamaica offer students education and job training.
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Negril, Jamaica—In the picturesque
resort town of Negril in western Jamaica, a USAID-supported safe house is opening this month for girls who were victims of sexual exploitation and prime targets for human trafficking.
In the safe house, called Theodora’s Place, girls who are at greatest risk because of abuse from partners or family members have a place that they can call home.
“We want to show them real alternatives
to the life they knew and show them that there is a place where they can be loved without
giving anyone
anything in return,” said the Rev. Margaret Fowler, the project coordinator.
Although there are other young people in need of similar assistance, Theodora’s Place can only accommodate six girls. Plans for a second safe house in Negril are under way. Courses in barbering and cosmetology will be offered.
“We don’t want it to be an ‘institution’ and smaller numbers allow us to give the girls one-on-one attention and a family setting,
which is very important,” Fowler said.
Negril is renowned for its sunsets and 7-mile beach. It has a spirited business community that demonstrates a strong sense of service. But there are challenges.
Poverty and unemployment
have contributed to the advent of human trafficking.
Jamaican women and children
are trafficked within the country for commercial sexual exploitation and forced labor. This year, the State Department reported that the government of Jamaica is taking significant steps to comply with human trafficking prevention standards, but all the requirements are not yet met. The report proposes increased funding for shelter services and public awareness.
A sign created by Jamaican students is part of the country’s anti-trafficking efforts supported by USAID.
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In addition to establishing the safe house in Negril, the Theodora Foundation works with youth susceptible to exploitation
in their search for a way to survive. The foundation hopes to prevent trafficking by offering classes in reading, math, and business. USAID is supporting the Theodora Foundation by providing furniture and school supplies.
Fowler said that most of the students they assist can read only at the fifth grade level. The team works to get them to the ninth grade level so they can take entrance exams to enroll at a national training institute.
“Then they will have practical
skills, be more employable, and be empowered to make positive
choices,” Fowler said.
USAID has helped Jamaica’s anti-trafficking efforts by giving youth access to education, jobs, and life skills training. Public awareness is critical and recent anti-trafficking interventions have reached over 10,000 youth through media outreach, school, and community interventions.
★
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by the Bureau for Legislative and Public Affairs
U.S. Agency for International Development
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