During the night of April 14, men stormed a school in Nigeria where girls were sleeping. Forced onto buses, 234 of them were taken away. For over a week the girls were held in a district nearby, treated dreadfully, and it was discovered that they would be ultimately used as servants, or sold into marriage or sex slavery. Weeks after the terrible event, the chilling details slowly and finally began to creep out to the rest of the world. Today the world is speaking out against this evil.
For us in Canada it is hard to fathom a worldview that would so deliberately and hatefully hurt a child. Even more appalling is the fact that this was an intentional attack on girls – girls, who are believed to not deserve education, freedom, or equality with men. The terrorist group responsible has been doing this for months but it was this event that finally garnered international attention.
Meanwhile in our own city, local high school students completed preparations for a second citywide event to raise awareness of human trafficking. Shadowed by increasing reports of the Nigerian girls, two local 17-year-old girls, together with the Paul Kane Social Justice League, worked with renewed determination. On Saturday night, approximately 200 people came together for Free2Walk St. Albert. Beginning in Lions Park, they marched a two-km circle at dusk, carrying lanterns to commemorate the lost in our world and to symbolize hope for those caught in the darkness of human trafficking.
Although the gripping story of the Nigerian girls fuelled their passion, proceeds of pledges from the march will be given to ACT Alberta, which deals with human trafficking in our own province. The event raised almost $2,000 and it is anticipated that final donations will exceed the $3,000 goal.
Throughout history humankind has demonstrated a striking capacity for evil. There have always been individuals and groups that will use their power to harm others. Our responsibility, if we claim to be honourable, is to fight against the darkness and deliberately turn our hearts to good and defending our neighbour. We must raise a banner of awareness and support those who advocate for freedom. Individually we cannot walk into the villages of Nigeria and cradle those girls to safety, but we can resolutely choose to not turn our hearts away from the reality of their despair.
Whether you ascribe to the belief that every human being is created in the image of God and is therefore worthy of respect and dignity, or you just think it’s the right thing to do, it keeps evil at bay. There will always be wicked, powerful oppressors. Our role is to be honest about that evil, and do what we can to stop it.
When we, who are good, do nothing, unfettered evil will prevail. Consider joining our youth in this important cause.
Donations for Free2Walk can be made to ACT Alberta, c/o the Paul Kane Social Justice League.
Dee-Ann Schwanke is a masters student in international management.
