HUMAN TRAFFICKERS ARE EXPLOITING THE VULNERABLE
Every year tens of thousands of young people throughout Southeast Europe leave state and foster care, taking enormous risks just to survive. Many fall prey to human traffickers, who exploit them through forced prostitution or labour, and suffer a life of degradation and poverty.
Will you support vulnerable young people by riding against the traffic?
Ride against the traffic
If you love cycling, why not set yourself, or a group of friends, a riding challenge this year? Do something that will help you get active or stretch yourself to a new level. By gathering sponsorship for House of Opportunity you can enjoy what you love, and add purpose by raising funds that will help prevent young people like Ivalya from being trafficked from the Balkans into the insatiable sex industry of Western Europe, or its modern slavery enabled black economy.
You can set your own challenge or choose from a host of different events. You could ride up Everest (or aim even higher…) take to the track with a group of mates and set your own distance challenge, ride across England, do Battle on the Beach, or take on the Three Peaks cycle challenge! See charitychallenge.com for even more ideas.
Sponsors can be encouraged and donations collected online via Just Giving or Stewardship.org.uk where you can can search “FSCI (UK)” or “House of Opportunity” and set up a fundraising page for your challenge or event. This online donation site will be able to transfer funds to us, and even take care of any Gift Aid, meaning you won’t have to worry about handling any money.
Don’t forget to get in touch and tell us all about your particular challenge! You can register your challenge here, or you can get in touch with us at maria@houseofopportunity.org
So, put those pedals to the metal – set yourself the challenge, and ride against the traffic!
HOW WE PREVENT MODERN SLAVERY & HUMAN TRAFFICKING
Crisis Response
Our partners in Moldova are working closely with thousands of Ukrainian refugees to ensure that the short-term catastrophe facing them does not turn into long-term exploitation of vulnerable children and families by criminals.
House of Opportunity Programme
Empowering vulnerable young people to break out of poverty and lead successful independent lives through residential training programmes in Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia and Serbia (and Moldova soon) – preventing them from being trafficked, or drawn into a life of crime and homelessness, at risk of abandoning their own future children.
Early Years Education
Special kindergartens and community centres in Bulgaria, Moldova and Albania. By working with whole families and communities the door to education is opened for marginalised children, greatly reducing their need to make desperate choices due to poverty later in life.
Way to Success
A programme designed in Moldova to give young people the tools they will need to become successful adults. Delivered as part of the public school curriculum for teenagers. We hope to launch Way to Success in Bulgaria and beyond.
