These are the final words found in the book Not For Sale. Author David Batstone takes the readers on a journey around the world as he unveils the reality of slavery on 5 continents.

Batstone successfully communicated the massive and global crisis of the modern day slave trade while at the same time, narrowing it down into the lives of individuals; both those who are slavery survivors and those who have dedicated their lives to the rescue of slaves.

Batstone tells the story of Srey Neang, a Cambodian girl who was sold into sex slavery and eventually rescued by Swiss born Pierre Tami. And then there is Maya and her husband Ajay, one of five couples who were deceived into forced bondage labor in Southeast Asia. Batstone continues with stories of children solders under the wicked power of rebel leader Joseph Kony. He also tells the stories of a World Vision refugee camp that is home to thousands of ex-child solders and sex slaves. He then moves on to South America where he unearths the problem of thousands of children who find themselves on the streets of Lima, Peru and in the most vulnerable state, making it far too easy for perpetrators to snatch them up.

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I heard about an African woman sharing a story with a women’s Bible study group from the US. The African woman was describing how the typical Pastor from the area where she was from, prepared his sermons each week. These Pastors she spoke of, and there were several, shared one Bible among themselves. Each would travel miles, mostly on foot, to reach the shared Bible, scribble down a few verses on paper and trek back to their home to pray over them and prepare the coming Sunday’s message.

 

The women of this Bible study were shocked to hear of the need for Bibles in the African woman’s country. They immediately took up a donation among themselves and within minutes, had enough money to purchase 1,000 Bible to be delivered to these Pastors and members of their congregations.

 

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Veero was in for a long walk – more than fifteen miles. Veero quietly slipped away from a farm where women were guarded by armed thugs and men were kept in leg irons. She was terrified but determined. When she reached the local police station, it took a three-day sit in to force officers to help. Veero’s risky walk to freedom paid off. She has shown 700 others how to follow her footsteps and stand up for their rights.

 

The Working Women’s Association, Shramajivee Mahila Samity (SMS) goes undercover in India to expose traffickers posing as legitimate labor recruiters. SMS traces missing women, and helps slavery survivors return home and rebuild their lives. SMS educates villagers to slave-proof their communities. Local committees learn to act fast when someone is taken. Women get help with opening small businesses so they can earn a living without moving from their home. Thanks to SMS, hundreds of slaves have been reunited with their families.

 

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