The Olympics: A chance to celebrate what people are capable of
July 2024
Today marks the start of the Summer Olympic Games 2024! Even if you’re not a fan of the games, it’s hard not to marvel at this display of what humanity is capable of.
As millions of people watch the Olympics and celebrate the achievements of men and women around the world, we’re reminded of the astonishing strength and determination of survivors of slavery and violence.
Cheered on by people like you, survivors are beating the odds to reach their dreams.
Take Poornima for example. Once exploited in a brick kiln in South Asia, today with IJM’s support, Poornima has fulfilled her dream of becoming an expert tailor.
Now helping lead a local business employing other trafficking survivors, Poornima (pictured) shares joyfully: “After all these years, we are finally doing well.”
On the other side of the world, 70-year-old Betzy* recently helped create a movement across Latin America to protect children from experiencing the sexual violence that she did:
“Regardless of the challenges I face, I will not stop.”
This is what people are capable of when they refuse to give up on their dreams. In the words of Dorothy Height, a civil rights and women's rights activist:
‘Greatness is not measured by what a man or woman accomplishes but by the opposition he or she has overcome to reach their goals.’
It’s hard to imagine a tougher opposition than slavery or violence. That’s why we believe that every survivor deserves to be celebrated.
And that’s why we’re so grateful for people like you. Together, we’re supporting survivors of slavery as they chase their dreams and reach new heights in freedom.
