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FROM OUR CEO
It is hard to believe that it's the end of the year, although, just as i write that, I think I may have said this last year.
Hagar is a intense organisation in every way: the intensity of the abuse that our clients have endured; the deep commitment of our response through wholistic recovery; the countries we work in. Just today we evacuated three staff out of Afghanistan after recent targeted attacks on aid workers. There is always so much to do and we always need to support more people.
But before we wind down for the year we have one more BIG bold mountain to climb.
Since the middle of this year, there has been pressure on budgets and an incredibly high demand for our services. Tragically, we haven’t been able to support more than half of the girls in Cambodia who have been referred by police and rescue agencies after suffering abuse. It is a shattering dilemma, particularly for our local staff in Phnom Penh.
Our plan is to support 80 new girls in 2015. It costs $1200 to put someone through our services for a year. So we are asking two things. Can you donate to support a young girl? Second, will you share our appeal in your workplace, school or with your friends?
Even though I am proud as punch of our team and partners I am not going to list all of the achievements. But I am going to end the year by saying a simple and very important thank you. What Hagar is, and what we do, is so very important... and it doesn’t happen without you.
Merry Christmas and happy holidays to you and yours.
Thank you
Kate
Kate Kennedy
CEO Hagar Australia
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HOPE FOR 80 GIRLS
This Christmas we have launched a bold appeal. We want to offer a place in our shelter to another 80 girls and we need $96,000 to make this happen.
A little bit makes a lot of difference. Monthly commitments are the lifeblood of our organisation. We are deeply troubled by the fact that we are currently turning away women and girls who need access to our shelter. We have an urgent need to create space and we are reaching out to you at Christmas to help us. Read more here and please donate today.
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CHIEF JUSTICE IN CAMBODIA
This year has seen important interactions with leading Australian justice figures, including His Honour Chief Judge Pascoe AO CVO who participated in a Justice Tour to Phnom Penh in September 2014. In his own words:
“I would like Hagar supporters to feel confident that its work in Cambodia is focused on the best interests of children, that child safety is paramount, that Hagar staff in Cambodia are truly inspirational and do make a real and positive difference. Hagar can make individual miracles happen.”
He told us what most stood out from his time in Phnom Penh was the resilience of the human spirit and the capacity for young people who have endured horrific experiences to build meaningful and happy lives given the right support.
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THE POWER OF $8
Hagar is committed to building local staff capability at its frontline offices in Phnom Penh, Kabul, Hanoi and Yangon, identifying and developing local leaders. A person who embodies this value is Sreyna Sam who visited Australia in October 2013. Sreyna spoke at many Hagar gatherings including fireside chats and our major annual fundraiser. She embodies the Hagar spirit. A refugee herself, Sreyna has overcome poverty to become a highly accomplished professional with an MBA.
Her life changed when she was 12 when a local villager saved up US $8 to keep her at school. Throughout Sreyna’s talks, she reminded us all that even the smallest amounts can change lives. The US $8 she received did not just help her, but her entire family and, in time, Hagar clients and beyond. The ripple effect of positive change is hard to quantify.
During her first visit to Australia in October this year, Sreyna moved audiences in Melbourne and Perth with her personal narrative and the harrowing yet inspirational clients Sreyna manages. It was a pleasure and a privilege for Hagar Australia to host this remarkable woman.
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SAVE THE DATE: SUMMER DRINKS
Thursday February 26, 2015
6.30-9.30pm
Venue TBC
Join us on the last day of summer to launch another great year of events with summer drinks in Melbourne. This year's event raised enough money to employ a solicitor in Afghanistan and we are looking forward to updating you on her progress.
If you are interested in being an event ambassador or contributing to the silent auction, please contact us.
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HAGAR AFGHANISTAN AND IOM DELIVER COUNTER-TRAFFICKING TRAINING
As part of its ongoing efforts to combat human trafficking, Hagar Afghanistan is collaborating with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to conduct counter-trafficking trainings in four key provinces. Hagar’s expertise in leading counter-trafficking efforts in Afghanistan leaves us well poised to respond to the urgent need and heightened vulnerability in these areas.
The first such training took place in November 2014 in Khost province, located along the border with Pakistan in Eastern Afghanistan. The workshop was officially opened by the Governor of Khost province and the Chief of Police, who highlighted the need to counter the worrying trends of human trafficking and exploitation in the province.
The workshop focused on educating police and customs officials on domestic and international anti-trafficking laws, and provided instruction on practical methods to identify and respond to victims of trafficking. Law enforcement officials are key agents of change as they are on the front lines and are best placed to identify and react to instances of trafficking.
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36 MILLION SLAVES
Last week, Hagar Australia friends at Walk Free released their second annual index on global slavery estimating the number of slaves to be 35.8 million. This 20% increase on last year is due to better data collection and slavery being uncovered in areas where it had not been found previously.
Hagar would like to thank the Walk Free team for this incredible exercise in quantifying the problem.
We strongly believe that these types of reports give us the power to approach this horrendous criminal trade head on. The more we can see the more we can do!
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HOST A SPEAKER
In 2014, Hagar was invited to present in forums, businesses, law associations, schools and homes across the country. It was a fantastic way to share stories of recovery and educate our community about the prevalence of human rights abuse in our region.
If you know of any opportunities in 2015, please contact us.
VOLUNTEER
Phnom Penh - Strategy
Professionals with strong experience in business/ law/ operations are needed to support Hagar International Strategy Director Katy Bailey in Phnom Penh for several months. Please direct inquiries/applications to Tess.Horsley@hagar.org.au
Melbourne - SEO Volunteer
Over the Summer period, we are searching for a keen and passionate volunteer to help improve the search engine optimisation for Hagar Australia. Approximately 1-2 days' work is required. Candidate must have previous experience or sound knowledge of SEO. Please direct inquiries/applications to Tess.Horsley@hagar.org.au
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After graduating from high school in her hometown, Lam moved to Hanoi in hopes of qualifying as a pre-school teacher. In order to get permission from her father, she had to lie to him, saying she had moved to the capital to look for jobs that could support the family. In reality, Lam worked to support herself in the big city, sent some money home to her family, and sought opportunities to attend school to make her dream come true.
