Sound of Freedom – a child survivor’s input

Intro: Rebecca McDonald, founder & president of WAR, Int’l
Author: Pearl, a child survivor

As of mid-August, over 1,000 people have watched our “Sound of Freedom Movie Review,” the 4th movie we’ve done a private screening for. It’s unprecedented We listed praises & cautionary tales. Good news? Americans really care about the horror of child trafficking in the Land of the Free.

A child survivor, Pearl, the real expert… wrote:

“I’ve seen the movie 2 times & knew it’d stir up memories/emotions I haven’t been able to deal with. When I watched Rebecca (Founder & President of WAR, Int’l), the tiny child in me started weeping. I just wanted to reach out to her & really any of you! Ya’ll seem to “get it.” I’ve never had that “vibe” from anyone. Thank you. Also, I appreciated the positive & negative aspects presented.

As a survivor, I want to say a couple things. I know you are a safe place to do that. Coming from an era where NO one cared about child trafficking (in my world anyway), it really, finally is sinking in that some men CAN care, ARE doing something to help children & not just sadistically use them for their own perversion. What a revelation! I hadn’t realized I’d feel so strongly about that!

On the negative, it upsets me when it appears that once children are rescued, their hell is over, no trauma & baggage. It feeds the lie others try to get me to accept that we SHOULD just be able to let it all go, get over our sweet self & quit acting like it affected us negatively. PTSD, trauma brain, reactions, relationship issues, dissociative identity disorders, etc. are all weaknesses we should just be able to control. So, it’s our weakness & fault that we don’t. I’m not trying to imply healing isn’t possible. I KNOW it is. My life is in a better place than I’d ever realistically imagined. It’s just getting started. I’m excited to see where it’s going. But it takes more time & work than people realize & don’t want to know.

Nowadays, with places like WAR, good therapists & therapies…it DOES happen easier & quicker. No doubt I’ll have some regret once I hit “send.” Thank you WAR, for the support. It makes such a difference to feel as if I’m heard & respected by good people!”

Giving Tuesday 2023

November 28, 2023

Giving Tuesday started as an idea in response to #BlackFriday and #CyberMonday purchases. Annually, millions of dollars are generously donated to nonprofit organizations to aid the work of their hands and make a difference in the lives of those in need.

WAR’s word for Giving Tuesday 2023 is impact.

We all want to make an impact with our resources in order to make a difference in the world and in the lives of others. Your WAR, Int’l Giving Tuesday gift immediately empowers rescue and intervention.

Our goal is to raise $40,000 for our 911 Rescue Fund.

Our 911 Rescue Fund grew out of a partner’s request in the dead of night to rescue a baby who had been sold to Thai traffickers for $200. Our president was shocked they had to ask for the funding to rescue! We want our partners to be empowered to immediately intervene—not wait for the funding needed to save a life.

This fund is vital as it allows WAR, Int’l and its partners to rush to the aid of those in imminent danger. We rely on this fund when we get an emergency call from a frantic woman trying to escape her trafficker, when a desperate partner calls about a crisis situation, and when life-saving intervention is urgently needed. When circumstances call for immediate action, there is no time to ask for donations. The 911 Rescue Fund enables us to respond to urgent situations like these at a moment’s notice.

Our Headquarters is always involved in rescue efforts.

Over the next few weeks, leading up to November 28th, Giving Tuesday 2022, we will be sharing Stories Of Rescue to help you grasp the scope of your WAR Int’l Giving Tuesday donation and its impact.

One act of kindness can make a powerful difference. Giving Tuesday is an intentional way to generate a purposeful impact by giving to rescue, restore, and empower vulnerable men, women, and children across the street and around the globe.

Together, We Rescue.

Want to start making an impact today?

Give online here.

Send a check to:
Women At Risk, International
2790 44th St. SW
Wyoming, MI 49519

If you write a check, please be sure to note on the memo line that it is for our Giving Tuesday campaign so your contribution can be counted toward our goal!

Want other ways to make an impact?
-Share our posts on social media: Facebook & Instagram.
-Talk about Giving Tuesday with friends and family
-Ask your company if they have a corporate donation policy