The 2011 Global Forum on Human Trafficking offered many highlights, but one of the most inspirational moments took place during the Incubating New Models segment on day two.

The culminating point of the event saw Not For Sale Romania’s Director Maria surprised on stage and presented with a check for $50,000 by Not For Sale’s founder and President David Batstone, which will be used to help create better futures for survivors in Romania.

The money was raised especially for the Romanian project at the recent Montara Circle Amsterdam to help develop a sustainable agricultural business, which will provide employment for the survivors.

Speaking about the special presentation, Mark Wexler, co-founder and executive director of Not For Sale said, “For me personally, presenting Maria with the check was definitely one of the highlights from the Global Forum.

“It’s easy to get caught up in the high-level visioning and forget exactly why we do what we do; it was a very emotional moment because it represents renewed hope. The money will be used to fund tangible solutions to stop human trafficking and create better futures for survivors in Romania.”

Maria, Director of Not For Sale Romania, added, “I am so overwhelmed. It means a lot. Thank you to everyone for their support and good wishes. We need it. We will use the money to make our project bigger, to finalize the construction of a farm, build a greenhouse, and give jobs to the girls.”

Not For Sale has provided services and support to more than 1,000 survivors worldwide over the past 10 months, 63 of whom are living in Romania and were trafficked from nine different countries.