Our story began on May 31 this year, on the The Feast of Corpus Christi, which was marked by a procession. Our clients -three young men- helped as guards of honor at one of the altars that was set up in front of the premises of Caritas Slovakia.

Caritas is located in a neighborhood close to the largest church in Bratislava – St. Martin´s cathedral and since this feast we´ve been in touch with Fr. Peter, the parish priest.

Shortly after the celebration of the The Feast of Corpus Christi, the boys shared that they were not baptized, and that they were eager to receive the sacrament of Baptism.

Once a week, the boys actively help clean up the cathedral, or they are available to help with other tasks. They regularly take part in the Sunday Mass at 12.00, after which they always want to discuss more about what they have heard. During the weekend, they usually go to the small Chapel, where they pronounce their intentions for which they want to pray the rosary.

One of the boys became interested in the “fifty beads” (rosary) and wanted to know how to pray it. Every evening at the Cathedral, Adoration is observed and the rosary is prayed and he attends regularly with his friends.

Thanks to the approach and accessibility of both Father Peter and Deacon Lukas, our clients began to naturally integrate into the life of the parish, which also included intensive periods of preparation for baptism, tailored to the needs and conditions of this particular group.

The boys took the meetings very responsibly and it was on October 13 that the sacraments of baptism, confirmation and first communion took place. All this was accompanied by beautiful organ music performed by well-known musicians the Gabčíc brothers.

Because of their open and friendly approach, the parishioners of St. Martin´s cathedral supported and enabled the boys, former clients of a children’s home, to experience the community and the welcoming environment that is so rare to them. Together with them the day ended with a gala dinner.

Jana Urbanová.   Caritas Slovakia.

RENATE member Margaret Gonzi, olcgs, shares with us her news about being interviewed on national radio, Radio Maria. The interview provided an opportunity to raise awareness about Human Trafficking and Exploitation on a global scale and the importance of awareness-raising and understanding the evil effects of trafficking.

Margaret spoke about RENATE and the work of its membership in 30 countries across Europe, to combat human trafficking and .

Margaret also spoke about all the work underway by Margaret and her colleagues at Dar Merhba Bik in Malta, where support and shelter are provided to women who have experienced domestic violence.

More at: https://radjumarija.org/

Human trafficking, exploitation, harassment, exclusion, physical violence, intimidation, bullying and psychological aggression, child- marriage, gender bias, unemployment, while occurring to both males and females, are more likely to happen to a woman and girl.(EU Survey, Nov. 2017).

Across the world, girls face adversities that hinder their education, training and entry into the workforce. They have less access to information, communication technology and resources such as the internet where the global gender gap is growing.

A quarter of young people, most of them girls, are neither employed nor getting an education or training.

This year alone, 12 million girls under 18 will be married, and 21 million girls aged 15 to 19 years will become pregnant in developing regions. (www.unwomen.org).

The RENATE network through its membership across 30 European countries, works in the areas of economic and vocational empowerment, human trafficking and exploitation awareness-raising and prevention, with both genders. For more, check out the newly-built RENATE website at renate-europe.net

For more on the International Day of the Girl Child: https://www.unicef.org/gender-equality/international-day-of-the-girl-2018

https://www.awarenessdays.com/awareness-days-calendar/international-day-of-the-girl-child-2018/

http://www.unwomen.org/en/news/in-focus/girl-child

Anne Kelleher, RENATE Communications.

18 October is the European Anti-Trafficking Day, launched by the European Commission in 2007 with a view to promoting awareness amongst the general public about the major human rights violation that human trafficking is.

In addition to coming from other continents, victims of human trafficking come from, pass through and have their destinations in the member states of the European Union,

The yearly EU Anti-Trafficking Day on 18 October makes both policymakers and the general public reflect upon the response to trafficking in human beings in Europe.

States still face challenges in properly identifying trafficked persons, providing them with adequate assistance, prosecuting perpetrators and measuring the overall impact of such actions.

The RENATE network across Europe provides victims of trafficking with free humane, expert, professional support. Where necessary, shelter and safe-housing is provided for women and minors. Counselling and medical care, assistance with rehabilitation and reintegration are provided.

And in order to build capacity and enable self-sufficiency and self-esteem, vocational training opportunities are provided and sustained support is the ideal.

Anti-Slavery Day, 18 October provides an opportunity to raise awareness of human trafficking and modern slavery and encourages government, local authorities, companies, charities and individuals to do what they can to address this crime.

Check out www.renate-europe to see the myriad of activities underway by the members of RENATE Europe-wide.

Anne Kelleher, RENATE Communications.

“Changing minds, supporting victims- this is where Religious Sisters make the difference,” thus began the introduction to the evening as Ambassador Axworthy welcomed her guests. Ms. Axworthy ‘s fulsome acknowledgement of the work of female Religious and specifically Sr. Imelda Poole, was shared and appreciated by all present.

Ambassadors from Brazil, Canada, the Ivory Coast, Japan, Nigeria, Philippines, Poland, Romania, Serbia and the US, Religious, friends, family, colleagues and co-workers working to combat human trafficking and exploitation, gathered at the residence of H.E. Ms. Sally Axworthy, Ambassador to the Holy See, on Tuesday evening, 25 September, 2018, to honour Imelda Poole, IBVM, on being awarded an MBE for her work to combat and prevent human trafficking.

Sr. Imelda shared about her work to combat Human Trafficking over the past 14 years and of the extent to which so much can be achieved through collaboration and partnerships. Citing a number of examples of cases where victims gradually overcame their ordeals at the hands of traffickers, Imelda urged continued and sustained support for the work which can transform the lives of the most vulnerable.

On behalf of the guests, Sr. Bernadette Boland, IBVM, Conf. Of  Religious, expressed gratitude to H.E. Mrs. Axworthy, for so generously acknowledging the work and for hosting such a beautiful and very special event.

The official MBE Award ceremony takes place at Buckingham Palace in November, 2018.

This event was in honour of the MBE awarded to Sr Imelda Poole IBVM. A press release and journalistic writings will be posted later. Stay tuned!