The Salvation Army has developed programs in more than 25 countries, from Mexico to Sri Lanka, making a difference in the lives of those most vulnerable. Here are some success stories.
Laboni was born into the sex trade. Raised in a Jessore, Bangladesh, brothel and vulnerable to exploitation, she wanted to make different choices for her life. Poverty and little education were not the only challenges that Laboni faced. She was born with a deformity in her foot, limiting her job opportunities.
Hope came when Laboni became involved in a tailoring program The Salvation Army offered across the street from the brothel. She proved to be a quick learner, able to sew basic clothing items. Army staff also worked with her mother, helping her leave prostitution and stay employed with small jobs.
The tailoring program offers more than sewing classes. The day begins with prayer. Most of those involved in the program are sex-trade workers from the brothel or street prostitution. Many have come to trust in God and can nod in agreement when Laboni says, “Before our life was in darkness, now we have learned many things.”
Photo: Laboni learns to sew at the tailoring course in Jessore
Faustina arrived in Tijuana, Mexico, four years ago hoping that she would find work. A single mother of two young children, she also cared for her mother. Faustina was desperate for employment. Tijuana is well-known for tourism and numerous American-owned factories that promise “the good life.” That very few of the hundreds that pour into the city are able to eke out a living was something Faustina had yet to discover.
At first, Faustina was able to find a construction job. However, workers were hired on a daily basis without a guarantee that there would be regular work. With shrinking job opportunities and desperate for money to feed her family, Faustina began selling candies on the street with her children by her side.
It did not take long for Faustina to discover the seedy side of life on the streets. Men offered her money to “rent” her children for the night. Faustina began to fear for her children's safety and knew that she could not allow them to wander from her side, especially when the candy stall became busy. She'd heard stories of men enticing children with “gifts.”
It was when Faustina was at her lowest that she met The Salvation Army through a friend who introduced her to Anna Quintero, the director of an extended daycare program funded by the Army. Anna listened to Faustina and provided the support her young family needed. It was not long before she began volunteering at the daycare and, when her cooking skills were discovered, Faustina was hired as the cook.
“Thank God I am here,” she says. “I don't have to take my children on the street anymore.” Listening to the staff sharing their faith with others, as well as Anna's own example, have led Faustina to a new relationship with God, a God who cares for her most intimate concerns. “Through it all,” Faustina notes, “I've discovered God's faithfulness and the newfound joy this has brought to my life.”
Photo: Faustina and her children, with Anna Quintero (left) and Vincent Gaytan (right) of the maintenance/security staff
Walking through the narrow streets of Old Dhaka in Bangladesh, a local community leader stops to remark, “Rekha is a good girl—highly respected here.” Rekha smiles at the reference. Her past would not have earned her the label of “good” from anyone in the community.
Rekha spent 12 years caught up in the sex trade. Married to a drug addict, the mother of two had little hope of her circumstances improving.
Then The Salvation Army began an outreach program in the brothels of Old Dhaka. The staff soon discovered that Rekha was bright and intelligent, and desperate to find happiness. Rekha was among the first to attend literacy classes, and was quick to learn crafts and gain sewing skills.
She grew from an illiterate sex-trade worker to teaching reading and writing, with her husband counted among her graduates. The couple now owns a small tea business, continues to make crafts for The Salvation Army's fair-trade program and regularly opens their home for literacy classes. Home is one small room in an apartment building shared with their two children, two sisters, a brother and his wife, and her mother.
Rekha has seen God answer her prayers in miraculous ways, but the biggest change came when she learned about the love of God. Her faith is simple but deep.
“God is good,” Rekha beams.
Photo: Rekha teaches her neighbours to read in her one-room apartment in Old Dhaka
A Life in Darkness
Laboni was born into the sex trade. Raised in a Jessore, Bangladesh, brothel and vulnerable to exploitation, she wanted to make different choices for her life. Poverty and little education were not the only challenges that Laboni faced. She was born with a deformity in her foot, limiting her job opportunities.
Hope came when Laboni became involved in a tailoring program The Salvation Army offered across the street from the brothel. She proved to be a quick learner, able to sew basic clothing items. Army staff also worked with her mother, helping her leave prostitution and stay employed with small jobs.
The tailoring program offers more than sewing classes. The day begins with prayer. Most of those involved in the program are sex-trade workers from the brothel or street prostitution. Many have come to trust in God and can nod in agreement when Laboni says, “Before our life was in darkness, now we have learned many things.”
Photo: Laboni learns to sew at the tailoring course in Jessore
Newfound Joy
Faustina arrived in Tijuana, Mexico, four years ago hoping that she would find work. A single mother of two young children, she also cared for her mother. Faustina was desperate for employment. Tijuana is well-known for tourism and numerous American-owned factories that promise “the good life.” That very few of the hundreds that pour into the city are able to eke out a living was something Faustina had yet to discover.
At first, Faustina was able to find a construction job. However, workers were hired on a daily basis without a guarantee that there would be regular work. With shrinking job opportunities and desperate for money to feed her family, Faustina began selling candies on the street with her children by her side.
It did not take long for Faustina to discover the seedy side of life on the streets. Men offered her money to “rent” her children for the night. Faustina began to fear for her children's safety and knew that she could not allow them to wander from her side, especially when the candy stall became busy. She'd heard stories of men enticing children with “gifts.”
It was when Faustina was at her lowest that she met The Salvation Army through a friend who introduced her to Anna Quintero, the director of an extended daycare program funded by the Army. Anna listened to Faustina and provided the support her young family needed. It was not long before she began volunteering at the daycare and, when her cooking skills were discovered, Faustina was hired as the cook.
“Thank God I am here,” she says. “I don't have to take my children on the street anymore.” Listening to the staff sharing their faith with others, as well as Anna's own example, have led Faustina to a new relationship with God, a God who cares for her most intimate concerns. “Through it all,” Faustina notes, “I've discovered God's faithfulness and the newfound joy this has brought to my life.”
Photo: Faustina and her children, with Anna Quintero (left) and Vincent Gaytan (right) of the maintenance/security staff
Answered Prayers
Walking through the narrow streets of Old Dhaka in Bangladesh, a local community leader stops to remark, “Rekha is a good girl—highly respected here.” Rekha smiles at the reference. Her past would not have earned her the label of “good” from anyone in the community.
Rekha spent 12 years caught up in the sex trade. Married to a drug addict, the mother of two had little hope of her circumstances improving.
Then The Salvation Army began an outreach program in the brothels of Old Dhaka. The staff soon discovered that Rekha was bright and intelligent, and desperate to find happiness. Rekha was among the first to attend literacy classes, and was quick to learn crafts and gain sewing skills.
She grew from an illiterate sex-trade worker to teaching reading and writing, with her husband counted among her graduates. The couple now owns a small tea business, continues to make crafts for The Salvation Army's fair-trade program and regularly opens their home for literacy classes. Home is one small room in an apartment building shared with their two children, two sisters, a brother and his wife, and her mother.
Rekha has seen God answer her prayers in miraculous ways, but the biggest change came when she learned about the love of God. Her faith is simple but deep.
“God is good,” Rekha beams.
Photo: Rekha teaches her neighbours to read in her one-room apartment in Old Dhaka
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