Sasha’s Story

If you came out for our recent Free to Live Tour, you are probably still thinking about Sasha. Sasha was a Russian orphan. Sasha unknowingly borrowed money from traffickers who expected payment through prostitution.

When she put up a fight, they beat her for hours. They held her on a log under an axe.

Every single year, thousands of vulnerable orphan girls like Sasha are trafficked in Russia. They’re trafficked from clubs, from cafes and hotels and subways, forced to service as many men as want their bodies. This is unimaginable horror for us, but to girls like Sasha, it is reality with little chance for escape.

Miraculously, Sasha did escape to HopeChest, got counseling, found hope and freedom from that darkness. She married. She had a daughter and got involved in our Young Mothers program.

She’s breaking the cycle, living free. See part of her amazing story in the video below:

http://www.vimeo.com/16214054

Sasha came all the way from Russia to join us on the Free to Live Tour, to share her gripping story and to raise American awareness about the trafficking of orphans.

It was her first time in America. There were thousands in the room. And yet she spoke with a confidence and strength that held the crowd speechless.

“When that happened to me I thought about HopeChest,” Sasha says. “I really had no place to go. I needed support. Psychological support. I went there and I got a lot of great help, coming to terms with what happened, and making sure it doesn’t happen again.”

This fall, you have an amazing opportunity to see the impact of our Russian programs firsthand. We are marking 15 years of orphan ministry in Russia through Nadezhda Fund with a celebration trip slated for November 7-17, 2011. Those who join us will get a chance to see our programs at work, to meet our dedicated staff and our precious children. Let the orphans of Russia change your worldview forever this November! If you are interested in  Space is limited, contact us soon! Send an e-mail to Leah Wade (lwade@hopechest.org) for more information and a full itinerary.

Trip costs are $1,800 + round trip airfare.

Sasha and her beautiful daughter, Liza

Liza, Sasha, Laura Fisher, Tom Davis and Leah Wade