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Putting a Face on Faceless Children

By Lori Lenz | Nashville writer who's passionate about entertainment, pop culture and social justice. | October 2009

"If it weren't for Faceless, I probably never would have gone to India. For that matter, I probably wouldn't have discovered how passionate I am about human trafficking. Being able to take the trip in December inspired me to return for two months this summer," Amy says.

"Faceless has such a great ability of recognizing what people are passionate about and what talents they possess. With this ability, they are able to mobilize and get them into the right places to use these passions and talents. Faceless recognized my passion and talent in creating mentor relationships and service. They put me in touch with Made by Survivors, and I was able to work in their shelters for the summer. I was able to form relationships with trafficked girls and provide support in a shelter that takes care of them. My plan is to take what I've learned from Made by Survivors and open my own safe house. Having Faceless to encourage me and keep me accountable has helped me keep my eyes on my passions and not become distracted by everyday life. They have inspired me to use my talents because they use theirs for all the people they meet. I thank them everyday, just as often as I thank India for changing my world."
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Mekahla Peterson hasn't actually beenon a Faceless trip (yet); however, after seeing an interview with Stephen at Cornerstone 2008, the high-school sophomore was called to action. Her personality won't allow her to sit and watch injustice without acting; so Mekahla, her parents and a few friends started Students for Faceless in her high school outside of Kansas City. This group focuses on domestic and international human trafficking issues and reaches out to the community at large to raise awareness and funds.

Students for Faceless have produced concerts in the Kansas City area, created a Fair Trade Fair, as well as completed clothing and hygiene kit drives for women who are being protected in a safe-house in their area. The group has started selling Freedom Chains, which are bracelets made out of old T-shirts that serve to remind supporters of slavery statistics, such as:

• In 2010, Faceless is continuing to expand its impact worldwide. Student-run regional programs allow students to pursue their passions on a local scale through projects they create to meet needs they discover in their own communities.

• In Los Angeles and Nashville, spring break and summer trips are planned to experience inner-city poverty and slavery issues domestically. Other cities are being added for summer trips that will partner with locally established organizations.

• During the Christmas season, Faceless annually treks to India to work directly with rural children who are at extreme risk of being trafficked, as well as with women freed from brothels in the red-light district of Kolkota.

• Summer 2010 begins with a trip to Ukriane, where trafficking looks very different than in India. Participants will work with an aftercare facility for social orphans—children who have parents but are in the orphanage system due to being abandoned by their parents or were removed from their homes by the state—who make up the largest group trafficked in that country.

• The Ukraine trip will be followed by a Fair Trade trip to Rwanda, where participants will learn about the coffee process and get to pick coffee beans alongside widows whose husbands were killed in their country's genocide.

When he talks about Faceless, Stephen's eyes come alive. His excitement and energy is contagious, and his vision is apparent. "For us at Faceless, we believe it's vital to help the widows and orphans and care for people of all nationalities, color, creed or religious backgrounds. We want to help the global community in whatever capacity we possibly can, whether that is helping to farm alongside someone in Haiti or Rwanda, building in the Ukraine or India or meeting the emotional needs of those in our community and daily lives. Faceless wants to help. As Faceless, it is our faith that drives us. Our passion is clear, and our devotion is undeniable."

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