by Karolyn Hart

Over the past several weeks I’ve been spending a great deal of time reading the stories of people who have been key in transforming the world, and in particular rescuing the helpless. Two people have continued to jump out at me - they couldn’t be more different yet their ultimate result was the same.

William Wilbeforce was a British Politician who lived in the 18th century and was the catalyst to ending slavery around the world, while Somaly Mam is a modern day activist out of Cambodia fighting to rescue young girls from slavery.

I am equally fascinated by both of these people. The priviledged British politician who “saw the light” and began searching for his purpose versus Somaly Mam, an orphaned Cambodian who found herself enslaved and sold into prostitution at 13 and upon obtaining her own freedom went back to save others.

Obviously, they are both inspirational but the question in my mind is what was the trigger? Wilbeforce could have easily taken on a more popular campaign, done some work with the poor, and lead a respectable Christian life.  Nobody would have thought anything less of Somaly Mam if, after enduring the horrors she encountered, she simply chose to live a life out of harm’s way.  So what made these two individuals from completely different centuries and backgrounds choose to set aside their own well-being for the sake of others?

In the case of William Wilbeforce, a group of anti-slavery activists persuaded him to take on the cause.  For Somaly Mam, after seeing her best friend viciously murdered in front of her she made a risky escape, vowing to never forget those she left behind.

In each case, they made a decision to dedicate their life to a greater cause.  One that would most certainly be a difficult journey - but somewhere they decided they must take this journey.  So many people are faced with similar opportunities, to rise up, to take up a challenge - and yet choose the path of least resistance.  They turn their eyes from the poor as they turn up the music in their cars or change the channel when the images aren’t pleasing.

They ignore the very thing that could end up not only making their life more meaningful but literally change the world.

These questions have swirled through my mind as I have consciously decided to throw my hat into the ring and assist those who are already fighting against the horrors of slavery.  The statistics, once so shocking to me, now run off my tongue as I work to educate and involve others.

27 million slaves. That’s how many exist in the world today, and the number is growing.
6 years old. That’s how young many girls are when they are kidnapped and then raped (some even younger).
1 voice. It’s the only one I have but if I can connect it to the thousands already in this fight, and collect more voices along the way, it will be a strong one.

Since I learned of this horror, I have had two roads in front of me with a choice to be made. I can continue down my path of a comfortable life, where my biggest challenge is watching how much I eat OR I can decide to fight and dedicate my life to using the skills and the voice I have to raise awareness.

Perhaps…I often find myself thinking these days…this is how an activist is born.

To learn more about what is happening with slavery please visit:

www.freetheslaves.net

www.somaly.org

Filed under: Change the World