In 2012, Not For Sale will work diligently to create new futures for women in forced prostitution in Amsterdam’s Red Light District. The organization has announced its plans to implement a pilot training program that first equips these vulnerable women with catering skills, and then provides employment as chefs.

Not For Sale needs your help to raise funds for this innovative operation that will begin by providing hot meals for the women working in the windows in Amsterdam before expanding to the corporate catering sector.

Among the many women who will benefit from this new training and employment opportunity is Vera.

Vera was open and engaging with everyone she met. She appeared to be “free” and working on her own. Vera spoke freely with the police officers and social workers, and was considered a legal, self-employed prostitute.

In truth, Vera was working for a pimp who encouraged her to maintain this illusion of freedom.

When the pimp needed to return to Vera’s home country, he allowed her to accompany him so that she could visit her child and family. The visit was supposed to be for several weeks but after only three days, the pimp suddenly cut it short and insisted they return to Amsterdam. He informed Vera that they had to leave, and when she resisted, he threatened her with violence.

Later that night, the pimp returned with a gang and attacked Vera. Her father and brother-in-law tried to defend her, but the gang overpowered them. They severely beat Vera and her family.

Vera went to the police to take legal action against her pimp. The police tried to persuade her that this was a waste of time.

Yet Vera courageously persisted, and finally the police brought her pimp to trial. Vera testified against the man in court and he was sentenced to prison. However, after only two months, he was released.

Vera could no longer live with her family, who feared the pimp would seek revenge. With no money, no job prospects, and no safe place to live – her future and the future of her young child looked extremely bleak. Vera’s home country has no shelters specified for victims of modern slavery. Desperate, Vera was forced to return to prostitution to provide for her child.

Not For Sale seeks to create an alternative option for women like Vera who seek a life outside of prostitution. The new Not For Sale enterprise will give them a viable chance to make money and create new futures for themselves and their families. Our ultimate aim is to assist these women to return to their country of origin with job skills that empower, prevent, and protect them and their families from further exploitation.

As 2011 draws to a close, we ask you to please empower Not For Sale for 2012 and beyond by making a tax-deductible year-end contribution. Your donation will directly fund our anti-slavery work worldwide and create alternative opportunities for those in forced labor, including the new catering school in Amsterdam.

Please click here to make your tax-deductible donation now.