Greece (MNN) — Imagine a place where fear and pain are replaced by hope and healing – a sanctuary where survivors of sex trafficking can reclaim their lives. This is what AMG International’s Damaris House represents in Greece.
Since Damaris House opened its doors eight years ago, 58 women have participated in their long-term recovery program.
AMG’s Brian Dennett first visited Damaris House last year with his wife.
“We were in tears… hearing their stories, how women are taken advantage of; it’s just heartbreaking. Then, to see how their lives have changed as a result of our program, and many of them turning to Christ, is just so touching,” Dennett says.
Greece is positioned in Europe as a gateway from the Middle East into Europe, Dennett says, leading to many refugees in desperate situations ending up in trafficking situations. Damaris House stands as a safe house for women ages 18 to 35, and their children, who are at risk of or have already been vulnerable to sexual exploitation.
The services at Damaris House cover all types of needs the women may have, focusing on five pillars: mental health, addressing poverty, social services, personal development, and health.
“This is a very long-term process,” Dennett says. “Healing from being sexually trafficked or exploited takes years. We’re committed to work with them and to see them come out of this walking with the Lord and whole and able to provide for themselves and their children.”
Damaris House is in need of new windows, doors, and flooring. These essential upgrades are crucial for providing women with a safe and comfortable home.
(Photo, caption courtesy of AMG International)
The results of Damaris House speak for themselves: 29 women are now stable, more than 25 percent of the women have been employed outside of Damaris House, and 37 women have shown a commitment to recovery, leading to a 76 percent success rate.
Even more, women are being led to Christ and learning of unconditional love for the first time.
One woman shared her story during Dennett’s visit. She became a sex worker at a young age, then was rescued and poured into Damaris House.
“What we saw in the case of that testimony was a woman in the process of healing [who] had come to Christ,” Dennett says. “We could see the joy she had and the thoughts and dreams she had for her future slowly being realized.”
Dennett hopes that people, especially men, can see the far-reaching consequences of sexual exploitation and how deeply women and their children are impacted.
He contrasts the depravity and lack of empathy involved in cases of sexual exploitation, no matter if it involves pornography or human trafficking, with the hope associated with seeing women come to Christ and rebuild their lives at Damaris House.
“There’s such joy in seeing these families come out of this and be whole and be loved and find the greatest love we have in the Lord,” Dennett says.
AMG needs $90,000 to make numerous fixes and upgrades at Damaris House, ensuring a safe environment for vulnerable women and their children for many years to come. Learn how you can help here.
Header and story images courtesy of AMG International.
