How to Register for the 2017 Walk For Freedom in South Africa

A21 is a non-profit organisation who fight to eradicate human trafficking through awareness, intervention, and aftercare.  On the 14th of October, A21 hosts the 2017 Walk For Freedom in South Africa.  Walk for Freedom is an outward expression–a global fundraising and awareness campaign–of A21’s inward desire to free every single slave on the planet.

Walk for Freedom is a silent, single file walk, through various cities, all around the world, on the same day.  Because of time zones, it is almost a 24 hour walk on the day.

Did you know?  Human Trafficking is the second largest organised crime in the world.  And, 46% of South Africa’s population is vulnerable to slavery. 

What can you do?

1. Walk with us in order to raise awareness.
2. Help us raise funds and or,
3. Donate once off or monthly.

Locations for the 2017 Walk For Freedom in South Africa

There are 12 locations within South Africa hosting walks.

1. East London, Eastern Cape
2. Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape
3. Alberton, Gauteng
4. Braamfontein, Gauteng
5. Kempton Park, Gauteng
6. Pretoria, Gauteng
7. Randburg, Gauteng
8. Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
9. Emalahleni, Mpumalanga
10. Mmabatho, North West
11. Colesburg, Northern Cape
12. Cape Town, Western Cape

Frequently Asked Questions

Details of the Event

Registration for the event starts at 07h30 to 08h00.  The walk starts at 09h00, until approximately 11h00/11h30.

Are there other Events in South Africa?

Yes, there are 12 walks hosted in South Africa alone.  Locations include Cape Town, Durban and even Colesburg and Witbank!   There are also, multiple locations in Johannesburg.  A list of locations and registration information is available by clicking here.

Are there any costs involved?

No, the walk is free; however, you will need to purchase a t-shirt for the walk at R100.00 per t-shirt.

Do I have to raise money for A21?

The fundraising option is at your own discretion, however, all funds are used to support human trafficking victims and to raise awareness to combat human slavery.

How far will we walk?

The walk is around 4.5km, we walk at a reasonable pace, in single file.

Can my kids attend the walk?

Yes, children can join the walk.  It is a 4,5km walk, so be mindful if you have smaller children.

Official Merchandise

You can purchase the official merchandise from the A21 website, but why would you, if you can purchase it locally from the host of your local walk.  The Pretoria walk has the following merchandise on offer, the other walks will be more of less the same.  Feel free to contact the host for more information.

• A21 Walk for Freedom T-Shirts R100.00 each.
• Yellow Buffs are available at a cost of R80.00 each.

My favourite part of the walk last year, was when I become quiet in the midst of chaotic traffic and really just breathe in my city.  The full force of human trafficking seems like a lost case and yet, while I walked I knew it is a spiritual battle more than anything else!  My little part, my steps and the fact that I showed up, is making a difference!

Register for the 2017 Walk for Freedom

Have you heard of A21 before?  Have you registered for the 2017 Walk for Freedom in South Africa?

 

Image Source

Become part of the solution by spreading the word. End Human Slavery

By now, you should be aware of the fact that I am extremely passionate about freeing people trapped in human slavery.

3 Ways you can become a part of the solution to End Human Slavery!

1.) The Human Trafficking Resource Line

The South African National Human Trafficking Resource Line operates as a tool to combat human trafficking growth.  The line is manned 24/7, by specially trained professionals, who follow international protocol ensuring the fastest response to each case.

Save the resource phone number, 0800 222 777,  on your phone.  Educate your children about human trafficking and protect yourself.

DOWNLOAD A FREE RESOURCE TO PROTECT YOURSELF AGAINST HUMAN TRAFFICKING.

Most Importantly:  If you see something, say something. 0800 222 777

2.) Attend a Seminar | Traffick Wise

In last year I attended the Traffick Wise Seminar.  I hoped to gain a better understanding of human trafficking, what it entails, what to look out for in my immediate environment, how to protect myself and my kids.

Instead, I was confronted with the reality of human trafficking:

• I realised we’re fighting a losing battle.  HUMAN TRAFFICKING is too big for us to handle, but thankfully we don’t have to do it alone.  We have a heavenly Father that empowers us and gives us whatever we need to succeed.
• I learned that the pimps are victims in their own right and they also need a people to love them, forgive them and fight for them.
• The only way to combat trafficking is to end the demand for cheap labour and prostitutes.  The consumer plays an enormous role and even something as ‘innocent‘ as pornography may seem, has an impact in generating an estimated $150 Billion US Dollars profit every year.  Hence the reason, human slavery is considered the fastest growing criminal industry in the world.
• I found practical tools to use to explain human trafficking is to my kids.  I was equipped to explain to Oliver, my five-year-old, what human trafficking is, for his protection.

The next Traffick Wise Seminar takes place in next weekend.  It costs R200.00.  Take the time to educate yourself.  Become a part of the solution to end human slavery.  Click here to register.

3.)  Register for the A21 #WALKFORFREEDOM

We’re on the move.⠀
We’re taking ground.⠀
Can you hear it?⠀
The sound of thousands of footsteps. The new abolitionists are here.⠀

Register now: A21.org/Walk #WalkForFreedom

Take the first step in becoming a part of the solution to end human slavery, share this post and spread the word.

22 Month Old Boy Snatched in Spur and the reality that is Human Slavery

Yesterday a video of a baby boy snatched by a stranger in a local family restaurant went viral.  Reading the comments posted in social media is infuriating.  People are making racial remarks and criticising the parent, while human slavery is staring them straight in the eye.

If you haven’t seen the video, here’s the clip posted on Facebook, the full article is available on News24:

Why do we always criticise?

Some of these critics are calling the parents incompetent.  Or calling them out, saying the kid should have been sitting at the table with his parents!  Have you ever been to Spur?  Do you even have any kids?

Others happen to find the time to dig up old cows out of the grave and make the incident a racial joke!   I choose to bring some perspective on the matter.

A little boy was nearly trafficked as a human slave, stolen from his parents, for goodness knows what purpose!  Let’s have enough respect to acknowledge, that it could have happened to any one of us.

What is Human Slavery?

I first learned about human slavery in 2015, after Christene Caine, founder of the A21 campaign posted pictures of their annual #WalkForFreedom photos in social media.

Human trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery.  It’s the exploitation of people.  The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement goes on to say, it is the recruitment, harbouring, transportation, provision or obtaining of a person for labour or services, through the use of force, fraud or coercion for the purpose of subjection to involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage or slavery.

International Statistics

• In 2016, The Global Slavery Index estimated that 45.8 million people are in some form of modern slavery in 167 countries 
• Human slavery generates an estimated $150 Billion US Dollars profit every year.   It is the fastest growing criminal industry in the world.
• And there is an estimate of 5.5 million children in slavery worldwide!

South African Statistics

• The 2016 Global Slavery Index estimates 248,700 people or 0.45% of the total population live in conditions of modern slavery in South Africa.
• South Africa is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labour and sex trafficking.
• In South Africa, the largest number of victims/human slaves are South Africans.
• Children are recruited from both rural and urban areas for sex trafficking and domestic servitude, forced to work in street vending, food service, begging, criminal activities, and agriculture.
• Forced begging is human trafficking!
• Girls as young as 12 are being forced into marriage with adult men.

Many children, including those with disabilities, are exploited in forced begging.

It’s time we stop looking into the feeble things of the world.   So, whether a mother breast or bottle feed becomes irrelevant when we consider the enormity of human slavery.  Racist comments become nonsicle when we put things into perspective.

I am of the opinion that demand dominates the industry – in other words  – if there were no demand for prostitutes, the wouldn’t be a supply of prostitutes.  The same goes for rape, molestation and pornography addictions for that matter.  We need to raise our children in a completely new way,  porn is not okay.  We need to set a Godly standard and example for our kids, but this really is a post for another day.

New Vision and Godly Intervention

 

Traffickers use different methods to recruit victims–pictured above are some of the methods of recruitment we’ve seen in our cases. When we know how they are trafficked, we are more equipped to stop it from happening. #KnowledgeIsPower #A21

A post shared by A21 (@a21) on Apr 26, 2017 at 9:04am PDT

The fact remains, we need a new strategy when dealing with beggars on the streets or prostitutes on the corners.  We need a new vision and Godly intervention, because, let’s get real – we cannot do this on our own!

As a start, I encourage you to take the time to educate yourself and your kids, regarding human trafficking.  By educating your loved ones they are able to recognise the signs of trafficking.

We all have a role to play, let’s do it well?

Sources of General and Statistical Information:

• 2016 Global Slavery Index
• The Tips or  Trafficking in Persons Report. South African Information available on page 340.
• The A21 Campaign 

 

Catch up | Highlights from the months of October and November 2016

It has been a while.  I suppose that is because things are good and I’ve had little reason to write.

The pace has been a bit faster than I would have preferred the past couple of months, both at home and especially at work.  September was the last month I managed to review, but instead of wasting away hours to reflect on the months of October and November, or worse – skip them entirely – I thought I’d do a quick overview, right here.

#walkforfreedom

A photo posted by Alet Swart (@alet202) on Oct 15, 2016 at 2:10am PDT

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October Highlights

October was a hectic month of commuting to our Rivonia branch to train and upskill some of the staff in our Joburg branch.  I was pretty devoted to a cause close to my heart in the month.  Here are some of the highlights:

• The A21 Walk for Freedom was held on the 15th of October.
• Traffick Wise, is human trafficking awareness seminar that I attended the weekend of the 22nd and 23rd of October
• Logan had his school concert at the end of October.  A full week of shows, 6 in total with two dressed rehearsals – madness if you ask me!  Logan loved the chaos, even if he was absolutely knackered by the end of the week.   In some ways, I think we are still recovering from it.

November Highlights

• November marks the start and end of my ‘getting back on the bant wagon’ adventure, although I have managed to remain pretty disciplined in what I eat and portion control.
• I met a person, that has become a really good friend.  He is caring and kind and I really enjoy spending time with him.

• The Brazilian Embassy hosted a Workshop of Capoeira on the 10th of November.  It was a whole lot of fun and I got to taste my very first sip of Caipirinha.  Beautiful.  More on this some other time.

Caipirinha recipe. Now to find Cachaça…

A photo posted by Alet Swart (@alet202) on Dec 10, 2016 at 12:17pm PST

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• November means, Christmas Carols and the start of the silly season.  We attended the Carols in the Park event at Rietondale Park and nearly got caught in a thunder storm.  Thankfully we were all safe.
• Commuted to Joburg CBD by train for a few days,  how do people cope?  As much of an adventure as it is, it was simply exhausting.  I did really loved seeing landmark and graffiti alike in town.

What did I miss over here?  Was October and November good to you?

A21 Walk for Freedom

A week ago I participated in the A21 #WalkforFreedom.  I haven’t writted about the experience, because I thought it would write one combined post with the pictures from the walk and the Traffick Wise  course I am doing this weekend.  It turns out, the first evening of the Traffick Wise course has given me more to write about that I had anticipated, but more on this later!

Photos from the Pretoria A21 Walk for Freedom

The walk was held on Saturday the 15th of October around the world.  Social media buzzed with images the whole day, check it out by searching for #walkforfreedom.

Locally an artical and images are available on the North Coast Courier.

Here are some of the picture from the Pretoria event.  Photos were taken by Elaine Louw, Frans Hanyane and Lorraine Swart.

We walked from The Glen High School to Garsfontein Road, left on January Masilela, down to Atterbury road until we got to Menlyn Park Shopping Centre and back to Garsfontein.  We ended the walk at the new Menlyn Maine Shopping Centre for the group photo.

@a21 Pretoria #walkforfreedom

A photo posted by Alet Swart (@alet202) on Oct 15, 2016 at 1:59am PDT

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We walked in a single file with taped mouths and arms crossed behind our backs.  It was both powerful and drew the needed attention we hoped to attract.  Like I said in my previous post, we can no longer ignorantly thinking that is happening in other African countries or abroad!  It is happening right here, in Pretoria!

A photo posted by Alet Swart (@alet202) on Oct 15, 2016 at 2:10am PDT

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#NotforSale

The red cross, points to the fact that we are #NotforSale.  The campaign is also related to human trafficking awareness – humans are not commodity and should not be exploited as such.

You may choose to look the other way, but you can never again say, you did not know.  William Wilberforce

At first I found walking in silence a little awkward, until I became quiet in myself and saw what we were really busy doing.  As much as the fight against human trafficking is a physical fight, it’s much bigger in the spiritual world.  The enemy is sowing fear, guilt and shame.  It is time to put it to an end!

Save the Date

The date has been set for next year, will you join us for the 2017 A21 Walk for Freedom?

#TBT to last week when thousands across the globe took a stand against the injustice of modern-day slavery through #WalkForFreedom! We are already making plans for next year, so mark your calendars and be on the lookout for details to participate or host a walk in your city on October 14, 2017! Click the link in our bio to learn more.

A photo posted by A21 (@a21) on Oct 20, 2016 at 5:35pm PDT

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September and Me | 2016 Reflections

I have the instinctive need to correct myself when saying ‘September and me’, I mean ‘September and I’.  I suppose that is a sign my education is paying off!  Anyway, Month and Me is something I found on Amber’s blog, Mr Thomas & Me, and I like it, so I am joining in.

September was an interesting month.  I was more emotional than I wanted to be, which lead to a mini-breakdown, which in turn lead to a little shift out of my comfort zone.

loving. blooming flowers and spring in the air

needing. a holiday

relieved. that I have successfully submitted all four UNISA assignments that were due this month

(still) watching. The Blacklist

listening.  Mount Zion | Jonathan Helser and Simple Gospel | United Pursuit

dreaming. of a yoga retreat in Zanzibar

feeling. a little overwhelmed 

drinking. glass of good red wine 

working on. the lion and the bear

contemplating.  my career and my path

Highlights of September

Capoeira Show

Logan and I participated in a Capoeira show at the Brazilian ambassador’s home to celebrate Brazil’s Independence Day (07 Sep) as well as the opening of the Paralympic games in Rio.

Here’s Logan doing his Capoeira solo in front of 300 high profile and Brazilian officials.  I did one as well and let me tell you, it is scary as hell!

 

Oliver’s school concert

Years of kiddie concerts have taught me not to get too excited about a school concert for little kids.  Yes, all parents go gaga over their little ones on stage, because they are pretty darn cute, but we are completely bias and that is just fine. That doesn’t mean it has to be the highlight of my month!  Well that is where I was pleasantly surprised!  Oliver never, not once came home doing the concert moves for me, so I had no idea he enjoyed it so much.  He told me which songs he they were going to sing and we counted down the sleeps to the concert – but my expectations were pretty low for the whole affair.

When it was his turn to perform, he did an outstanding job, shaking his little behind and perfecting every little move!  The concentration was evident on his face!  What a proud Momma I am!

Chloe and Oliver (sometimes Tori and Oliver) – what can I say, he is a sensitive child.

Bethel Music SA Tour

Traffic was a nightmare, the queues for food was disastrous and I was tempted to turn around and go home. AND I am so glad I didn’t.

After all the hassles of making our way to the Voortrekker Monument on a Thursday evening, we took our seats and started worshipping our God with twenty-two thousand other believers.  It was pretty amazing.

Image Credit: Princess Mihlai Matanzima-heavy Saliva

Amanda Cook and Jeremy Riddle were brilliant as singers, amazingly talented and in all honesty much better than I thought.  But there vulnerability and boldness in worship blessed me so much, their prophetic voice and just the way they were here with purpose.

Image Credit:  TBN in Africa

Image Credit: Shonisani Emmanuel Maalakano

CD Release of an Afrikaans band

I don’t listen to a lot of Afrikaans music, but a was asked to attend with a friend.  I’m not going to mention the band’s name, mainly because I had some mixed emotions.  They are really good, all things considered, but I was a bit disappointed that they were singing with a backtrack and not a live band.

 

What do you call a Bands that solely sing to a backtrack? Perhaps a single guitar on stage?

— Alet Swart (@alet202) September 17, 2016

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The place is called Weiveld and secretly, I still find it kind of weird.  I mean, I went on Voortrekker camps as a kid and we listened to both English and Afrikaans music!

There’s a place in Pretoria that only plays Afrikaans music. I’m Afrikaans. I don’t know any of the songs. All of it is so weird!

— Alet Swart (@alet202) September 17, 2016

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Birthday Vibes

We celebrated Oliver’s birthday and I am so thankful his day(s) of celebration was filled with joy and laughter and not overly emotional like mine a couple of weeks ago.

Breakaway weekend

The kids and I went away for a weekend with my mom, her friend and my brother.  Bosparadys, is a little fishing spot outside of Magaliesburg, basic accommodation, quiet atmosphere and rest for the soul.

The men caught fish, the boys rode the bicycles and swam and I laid under a big tree and napped.  (best)

Coming Attractions

October has started with a bang!  For one, I am already involved in the roll out and implementation of projects at work – hence the delay in posting this post.  The kids are having a bit of a break during the school holidays.  We are reviewing a couple of things at home and A21 Walk for Freedom is happening on the 15th of October!

As for the rest, it is time for exam preparations and quality time with the kids.

How’s September been to you?

Human Trafficking Awareness | A21 Walk for Freedom

A21 is a non-profit organization who believes that we can end human trafficking together!  The Walk for Freedom initiative aims to raise awareness by coming together as a global community to abolish modern-day slavery one step at a time.

Last year they had over 200 walks in 28 countries!

This year, I am excited and privileged to align myself with this initiative in hope to raise funds and awareness.

Human Trafficking

The A21 website explains the problem as follows:

Human trafficking is the illegal trade of human beings, mainly for the purposes of forced labor and sex trafficking. As the world’s fastest growing criminal industry, it affects every nation across the globe. Every 30 seconds, someone becomes a victim of modern-day slavery.

There are more slaves in the world today than at any other point in human history, with an estimated 27 million in bondage across the globe. Men, women, and children are being exploited for manual and sexual labor against their will.

The below infographic demonstrates the urgent nature and reality of Human Trafficking and how it is directly related to us, here, in South Africa.

Source

Trafficking is happens right here in our midst, in South Africa and we can no longer be ignorant or look sideways.  We have to step in and be the voice in our community.

The South African National Human Trafficking Resource Line (SANHTRL) exists as a tool for victims of trafficking for immediate assistance, as well as for people to call and report potential trafficking situations.

The SANHTRL website, has a wealth of information including this ‘Protect Yourself‘ guide with information to help you and me stay safe as we travel, work, or use the internet.

Raising Awareness and the Walk for Freedom

The 2016 Walk for Freedom is being held on the 15th of October.   On the 15th of October like-minded people in over 250 locations around the world, will lace up their shoes, put black tape on their mouths, and march in single-file to eradicate modern-day slavery.

Here’s a list of the South African locations:  Johannesburg, Cape Town, Pretoria, Durban and Port Elizabeth.  I have registered for the Pretoria walk and now it it your turn to get involved.  Click on the below link to find the address of a location near you.

Register for a #WalkforFreedom location near you

If you are unable to attend, consider donating to this worth cause by clicking on the below link or chat to me and I will get a donation form to you.

Donate to Abolish Injustice in the 21st Century

 

Click here For more information and FAQ’s

P.S.- Watch Anna’s Story to find out more about human trafficking and A21’s response.

The good, the bad and the ugly | August and Me

Currently

loving. my triangle wall 

needing. a vacation, a break.  the beach, sea-breeze and sand between my toes.

reading. Rising Strong by Brené Brown

watching. The Blacklist (and loving it)

listening.  The new Have It All album of Bethel Music – my favourite songs are: Be Enthroned; Pieces and Spirit Move.  David Crowder and Hillsongs Young and Free

dreaming. about a future, time with my kids, a house of our own.

feeling. deeply.  And I am mostly okay with that. 

craving.  closure and resolve and a healed heart.

eating. chocolate covered pretzel sticks

drinking. Apple flavoured Green Tea

working on. my degree.

contemplating.  my goals for the month of August

Accomplishment of the month

24 hours without coffee. Here’s to hoping the dull headache will dissipate soon!

— Alet Swart (@alet202) August 16, 2016

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I have managed to abstain from coffee for two full weeks this month.  Now if you are a cup or two kind of girl, then I get that this isn’t really an accomplishment.  But if your beverage of choice and staple is coffee – this is a serious milestone.  I have incorporated coffee in my diet again, but I am trying to limit it to a cup or two and green tea for the rest.

Out and About

The month has been quiet for the most part…

• Dinner and a dodgy pub with my bestie
• A heart to heart with a lovely lady that has been through a tough time, divorce, raising two daughter by herself, recently retrenched and thriving.  Dreaming.  Working hard.  Planning and definitely going places!
• Logan had their annual boxcar derby at school and I was super impressed with the schools organisation, the creativity of the kids (and parents) and the general pleasantries.

August the Good

• The Lion & Bear Project is slowly making progress
• Worship week at church
• A business breakfast that left me filled with hope and inspiration
• A boy Schnauzer that found a new home with us.  The kids are thrilled and Brutus, the Basset seems well pleased as well.

August the Bad

• Oliver’s Bronchitis
• Car trouble.  We’ve had a bit of wear and tear issues on the car, including a fan belt,  a water-pump and an alternator bearing.
• Never ending Telkom issues – my intermittent connectivity issues became full blown no connection and it has been two weeks of fighting – without any luck.
• Tight deadline, at work and with my studies

August the Ugly

• The ugly cry and trying to keep my emotion in tact instead of, all over the place.  I should allow myself the grace to be all over.

Coming Attractions

• Oliver’s school concert
• Bethel Music SA Tour on the 15th of September
• The A21 Freedom Walk on the 15th of October

Who is happy for the start of Spring?

Image Credits