Pennsylvania teen boldly speaks out against child trafficking

Taking action to right a wrong is often intimidating. Using our voices to make appeals at the governmental level is even more so. Our advocate story this month illustrates this often-heard excuse for not taking action. But, as Rebeka Fry demonstrates, when we are called to action by a personal passion or inner conviction, it's only wrong not to respond.

Photo © 2009 Kara Fry

By most standards, Rebeka Fry is a regular teen from Lancaster, Pa. But this 15-year-old took an extraordinary step outside her comfort zone to publicly voice her support for the Child Protection Compact Act (H.R. 2737) — a bill currently before the House of Representatives that would lend support to countries that have shown the political will to combat child trafficking and exploitation, but lack the resources to enforce the law.

Very personal

Sometimes a person’s heritage or connection to a community shapes his or her zeal for righting a wrong. Such is the case for Rebeka, whose motivation grows from her ancestry.

Adopted from India — a country where child trafficking, sex slavery, and forced labor are not uncommon — Rebeka is particularly passionate about fighting these forms of exploitation that enslave children in her country of origin and around the world.

“That fact alone has given me a desire to see the total abolition of slavery come to fruition,” says Rebeka.

When she learned of an opportunity to visit her congressman to advocate for the passage of the Child Protection Compact Act, she knew that she had to respond. “It was an opportunity that couldn’t be passed up in the name of laziness or complacency,” she says.

While the thought of a face-to-face meeting with a congressman instilled some feelings of nervousness in her, she explains that “… fear and intimidation weren’t on my list of worries.”

Overcoming fear

Rebeka participated in a congressional meeting with Congressman Joe Pitts and several other constituents from her district that shared her concern about child exploitation.

Her parents were very supportive of her newfound interest in civic involvement. They accompanied Rebeka to a pre-meeting with the other constituents where they planned how they would communicate their message to the congressman. Each member of the group would have a chance to speak.

The meeting took place at the congressman’s in-district office. In the end, Rebeka was encouraged by their conversation. While the congressman did not commit his support for the bill, he said that if it reached the House floor, he would vote with his convictions and keep the thoughts of his constituents in mind.

Rebeka felt a wave of relief and accomplishment come over her at the conclusion of the meeting. “I came out of that meeting thinking, ’Wow! That was so easy. What was I worried about again?’”

Follow your passion

Reflecting on her first experience with grassroots advocacy, Rebeka recognizes that her strength to be a voice comes from the Lord. “When you step outside your comfort zone, it usually becomes one of the most memorable times in your life, whether you succeed or fail,” she says. “Both ways, you are depending on God for grace. And both ways, God’s grace prevails.

“I’m not extraordinary,” she continues. “I’m a regular person ... a regular teenager actually. I love music, sports and games.

“But when the Lord has given you a passion for something ─ social justice, missions, anything ─ and if something comes along where you can use your gift or speak up, just do it!”

Learn more

• Read World Vision’s report, "Ten things you need to know about human trafficking."
• Download talking points (PDF) about child trafficking and the Child Protection Compact Act. Use this to guide a discussion with your own member of Congress or his or her staff.
• Take a look at the State Department's 2009 Trafficking in Persons Report.

Get involved

• Pray for those working to assist children and other vulnerable individuals who have been trafficked. Pray for a transformation of the perpetrators of this crime. Pray for protection and healing for those who have been exploited through trafficking.
• Call or e-mail your representative to voice your support for the Child Protection Compact Act (HR 2737) .
• Become a Child Crisis Partner. For $20 a month, you can help World Vision provide critical assistance and support to children affected by forced labor and exploitation.