02.18.11

DELEGATION GOES TO BAT FOR GOD'S CHILD PROJECT

Bismarck Nonprofit Combats International Human Trafficking

Washington - Senators Kent Conrad and John Hoeven and Congressman Rick Berg joined together to voice their support for the God’s Child Project and its efforts to combat international human trafficking.

In a letter to the U.S. Department of State, the delegation expressed its strong support for God's Child Project and urged the State Department to renew a federal grant for the Bismarck nonprofit’s anti-human trafficking program. Last year, it received a $240,000 State Department grant.

"We want to affirm our full support for the God’s Child Project and its Guatemala operations. They are deserving of your consideration for this grant renewal," the delegation said in the letter.

God’s Child Project has been providing education, medical care, and other critical aid to children and families around the world since 1991. For the past 10 years it has worked with an affiliate in Guatemala, La Asociación Nuestros Ahijados to combat international human trafficking and exploitation through their Institute for Trafficked, Exploited & Missing Persons (ITEMP).

The delegation letter notes that Guatemala is a significant source and transit area for international human trafficking. Since the country’s government relies heavily on non-governmental organizations to supply victim services, ITEMP has become a crucial service provider to a significant portion of the country’s population.

La Asociación Nuestros Ahijados and ITEMP have rescued exploited victims, helped with victim rehabilitation, coordinated awareness, and created an anti-sex tourism campaign. Their work on behalf of victims has given these unfortunate people, many of whom are children, hope for a future free from pain.