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Frequently Asked Questions Where does MWP work? Make Way Partners is passionate to share the Hope of the Gospel with the least of these. We use two criteria to select places of ministry: 1. Where women and children are at highest risk of human trafficking, forced prostitution and other forms of modern-day oppression. 2. Where little to no other help is available because it is considered either “too” dangerous, “too” expensive or “too” remote for most people to go. Make Way Partners has a unique focus on caring for the un adoptable orphan. Of all the at risk people groups, un adoptable orphans are the most vulnerable to human trafficking. Currently, MWP supports indigenously directed ministries in the New Republic of South Sudan and Sudan. We have worked in Eastern Europe and Congo in the past, and continue to explore partnerships there. We are laying ministry groundwork in Peru. To read more about the MWP Anti-Trafficking Network click here.
Founders and Year Founded Dr. Milton and Kimberly Smith – 2003
How can I make a donation to Make Way Partners? The following are payment methods we are able to accept: • Check made out to “Make Way Partners” • Recurring payments through your online banking • Bank Draft – a direct debit of your checking account • Credit Card: Visa, MC, American Express and Discover - click here to donate online! (For your convenience, MWP can also automatically process your credit card donation each month.) • PayPal: click here
Is my donation tax-deductible? Yes. Make Way Partners is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
How do you address financial accountability and transparency? Make Way Partners voluntarily submits to an annual third-party review or audit, and is an accredited member in good standing with the ECFA (Evangelical Council of Financial Accountability), meeting or surpassing all set forth standards for their seal of responsible ministry stewardship and financial accountability. 100% of all designated donations are used for their designation – no administrative fees are taken out of these life-saving gifts (example: child sponsorships).
I've heard of slavery in Asia – why doesn't MWP work there instead? Africa and Eastern Europe are the fastest growing regions for humans to be trafficked from. We have learned that the most effective method to put an end to trafficking is through prevention. Therefore, we go directly to the source and offer practical alternatives to those most vulnerable and at risk.
Where are slaves? Many trafficking victims are sold in their countries (countries of origin) and brought (through force, coercion, or fraud) to countries of destination. The USA and the UK are primary countries of destination. Western Europe and Australia are other popular places of destination. These are places that have a high demand in the market for prostitutes/slaves and places that have the financial means to support the industry. Many trafficking victims are also kept in their countries of origin. Trafficking in humans does not require the crossing of an international border – and often many US Citizens are in bondage in their own country. The purpose of the trafficking enterprise is to profit from the exploitation of the victim. Slaves in the USA are often hidden in plain sight: working in sweat shops, on farms, in massage parlors, in brothels that may be houses in a suburban setting, or in strip clubs, among other places.
Why don't victims of slavery escape or go for help? Some reasons, though not exhaustive, are that: trafficking victims are kept under the tight watch of brothel owners or paid guards. They often do not speak the language and have been stripped of all identity cards/passports. It is also common for law officials to be involved in corruption and are bribed to look the other way, or are involved in the trafficking process. Victims often do not know who to trust and have been threatened that they or loved ones at home will be hurt or killed if an escape is attempted. In countries like Sudan, there are very few places to turn for help. Though a peace treaty was signed in 2005 which stipulated that slaves in the North would be set free, most testify that they had to escape in order to gain their freedom. This is a risky option for them, and many who attempt to escape never reach their freedom. Orphaned children are particularly vulnerable to slave raiders. They are taken for sexual servitude, domestic servitude, enlisted to be ‘child soldiers,' or used for camel jockeys, etc.
How do you prevent human trafficking? We work with at-risk people in countries of origin and seek to be the hands and feet of Christ to them by offering indigenous ministries of counseling, discipleship, education, employment, food, medical treatment, and shelter.
Is MWP involved in slave rescue? At its inception, MWP was directly involved in the rescue of children from a children's home in Portugal where 19 African children were sexually abused and involved in forced pornography and sexual slavery. MWP was able to rescue these children from bondage. However, our desire is to protect at-risk children from being trafficked at all, thus MWP's focus is now on prevention. It is estimated that up to 80% of women or children who have been involved in prostitution and sexual slavery return to prostitution after rescue. Experience has proven that prevention is the best way to stop the cycle of human trafficking.
Does MWP buy back or purchase slaves? MWP does not support the purchase of slaves in order to secure their freedom. We have found that purchasing slaves actually perpetuates the slave market. Organizations that purchased slaves' freedom have helped create a market for slavery. They have also experienced that the slaves they had once freed were re-captured and re-enslaved. They then had to re-purchase many of the same women and children.
Where does the name "Make Way Partners" come from? Make Way Partners... and they shouted before him, "Make Way, bow the knee." This passage (taken from Genesis) about Joseph gives us a hint of the calling upon all Christians. Biblically, Joseph is a foreshadowing of Jesus. When Joseph was appointed to be as Pharaoh's son, others walked before him shouting, "Make Way! Bow the knee for he is coming!" As we seek to be servants of Christ, we make way for Him by offering our bodies and all that we have as living sacrifices to make way for the presence of our Lord in the lives of the suffering to whom we minister. Partners, together, we are the essence of the power Jesus promised in Matthew, "... I will put together my church, a church so expansive with energy that not even the gates of hell will be able to keep it out." Make Way!
Do you send missionaries overseas? One of the principles we use to determine where and through whom to minister is to watch for how the Hand of God is already working within that culture. We look for faithful men and women already using whatever gifts and knowledge they have to protect the vulnerable children of their culture—but who lack sufficient resources to provide complete care and protection for them. These are the local Believers with whom we prayerfully consider partnering. Once we identify key indigenous leaders, MWP sends small teams overseas for short-term mission trips to encourage, train and support these leaders, and those at risk in the communities where we actively minister. However, we focus on developing indigenous directors and staff to maintain the ministry for those at risk throughout the year. There are occasions when a fulltime missionary may be deployed to help in a particular situation but missionaries will never “plant” or head a ministry in a foreign country. Who is your sponsor/sending church? MWP is an Intra-denominational mission agency partnering with all Christian denominations. We invite churches of all denominations, individuals, and other organizations to partner with MWP to combat human trafficking.
How can I, or my church, get involved? MWP is volunteer driven and seeks to educate and mobilize the Body of Christ though partnerships with individuals, churches and organizations. We need committed volunteers to become involved through:
• Spreading the
news – sharing materials or emails with others
• Coordinating a talk on human trafficking in your church or community and invite a MWP representative to speak. |
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