Change makers: Eden

This trinity of light, hope, and love underpins our every action. The women and girls we support encounter these pillars from their initial meetings with our frontline teams in brothels and trafficking hubs. It’s on this foundation that they find the courage to escape their dire circumstances, transitioning into partnership with Eden, where they rebuild lives marked by health, hope, opportunity and freedom.

Could you share an uplifting account of how making jewellery has been a source of healing and empowerment for the women in your programs?

Marlar, previously a victim of modern-day slavery, transformed her life at Eden. Through intensive counselling and creative therapy, she quickly excelled in jewellery making. Now a prominent figure in Eden’s workshop, Marlar’s crafted pieces not only provide her financial autonomy but also fund programs aiding women with similar pasts. Her newfound voice and courage inspire and uplift her peers. Every piece of Eden jewellery worn signifies solidarity with brave women like Marlar, challenging injustices and inspiring hope.

How has Eden’s commitment to love and compassion impacted you and your team personally, especially when dealing with the harsh realities of human trafficking?

Our heart at Eden, and the posture that each of our team members chooses to hold is bold, courageous and propelling. Despite the overwhelming and harsh realities of what we encounter, see and hear every day, HOPE is at the core of everything that we do. Choosing hope and not despair means that, individually and as a team, we can continue to strive for freedom and change and share love and opportunity with every individual we encounter – no matter what role they play in the trafficking and exploitation web.

Amidst political and economic instability, how has Eden adjusted its approach to continue providing critical support? Could you share how this has impacted the women you work with?

Amidst Myanmar’s socio-economic decline and rising poverty, exacerbated by military rule, Eden has pivoted to address food insecurity and its link to increased trafficking vulnerabilities. In the past year, we introduced urban farming and microgreens programs in key townships. As malnutrition surges, our goal is to harness the nutritional power of microgreens, converting them into powders for impoverished communities. Expanding this initiative, we’re establishing more greenhouses, educating women from our program in organic farming, aiming not just for self-sufficiency but also as a preventive measure against re-trafficking.