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BACK TO PAST CAMPAIGNS BACK TO PAST BENEFICIARIES 2015 CAMPAIGN In 2015, the Mothers' Day Movement proudly partnered with Free the Slaves, an inspiring nonprofit dedicated to eradicating modern-day slavery. Free the Slaves works tirelessly across global communities, liberating individuals from bondage and transforming societies into places where freedom can thrive. T heir app roach encompasses not just rescue and recovery, but also focuses on changing the underlying systems that allow slavery to persist. This partnership aligned with our commitment to empowering vulnerable individuals, particularly women and children, who are often disproportionately affected by slavery. Together, we aimed to bring awareness, support, and change, contributing to Free the Slaves' vital mission of creating a world free of slavery. LEARN MORE IN THEIR WORDS "The funds raised from the Mothers' Day Movement campaign provided crucial support for Free the Slaves' programs aimed to free people and help entire communities stay free through activities such as education and community savings programs. From children trappe d in domestic servitude in Haiti and Nepal to children forced to fish in Ghana, there is no better gift to mothers than returning their children to them. MDM's funds made these reunions possible." PROBLEM ENDING PRESENT DAY SLAVERY The Problem Modern slavery is a result of social, cultural, and political conditions that make people vulnerable. Poverty, war and conflict, migration, lack of access to basic human rights, and many other related factors create conditions where the powerful have the opportunity to oppress and exploit the weak. To end slavery, those most vulnerable to slavery must have the knowledge and resources they need to protect themselves and their communities. Tens of millions of people across the globe live in slavery today. Estimates indicate that over 50% are women and girls; over 25% are children. Instead of school, children are forced to work in dangerous, life threatening conditions. Instead of the promises they were made for a better life, women are lied to and abused. The horrific conditions under which women and children live in slavery defy hyperbole; they are all too real. Deepa's Story At the age of 13, Deepa was trafficked into sexual exploitation by her own family. She was taken away to a house where she was forced to have sex with men who were brought there. The trafficker kept her locked up alone for a year before Deepa’s brother found out and went to the police. The police refused to take action until her brother, with the help of a Free The Slaves partner agency, compelled the police to organize a raid of the premises. Her captors were arrested and prosecuted. After having been freed from her slavers, Deepa had no safe shelter. She stayed with a family that works for a partner of Free The Slaves while she recovered. Soon she completed her fifth grade education. She was committed to helping other families affected by slavery. Deepa now serves to protect other young women who have been liberated from sexual exploitation as the house-mother of the Punarnawa Ashram, a safe shelter for survivors of slavery. At the Ashram, young women receive the care and concern they need to reestablish their lives. “I have a feeling of my own power that I can give here,” she says about her time at Punarnawa Ashram. Vocational training at the ashram Photo: FTS / FitzPatrick Solution Ashram Coordinator Amita Gaur | Photo: FTS / FitzPatrickPhoto: FTS / FitzPatrick PROVIDING A SAFE HOME The Solution We were able to raise much needed money to support the Punarnawa Ashram, a safe home in the state of Bihar, Northern India, one of the poorest in the world. The Ashram provides safe shelter and support for the survivors of slavery leading to reintegration in their own homes, either back in their home village or in another location they choose. Some of the residents of the Ashram are as young as 8 years old. The young women are given counseling, literacy lessons and trade skills. What We Did WHAT WE DID TOGETHER Right before Mother's Day, the exterior wall surrounding the Ashram was destroyed in a storm. With the funds raised from hundreds of people who joined the Mothers' Day Movement to shift gift-giving on Mother's Day, Free the Slaves focused some of the funds to rebuild that wall to provide extra security from harassment and intruders looking to enslave the women. Funds were also directed to staff, school supplies, meals, clothing, counseling and basic education f or the young women so they can enter a vocation or start a business of their own. 356 Number of Donations $50,000 Together, We Raised

BACK TO PAST CAMPAIGNS BACK TO PAST BENEFICIARIES 2024 CAMPAIGN The African Education Program (AEP) was founded in 2004 by four American high school students with a goal to serve their peers living in communities that were under-resourced and affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Zambia. The founders’ work started by collecting, sorting, and shipping a container of books, computers, school supplies and clothes to community leaders in the town of Kafue. In 2006, AEP worked with the same community leaders and youth from Kafue to open its flagship Learning & Leadership Center. To-date, AEP has empowered thousands of children, youth, and women to take full advantage of their education, achieve economic independence and upward mobility, and give back to their communities to drive cycles of positive change. DONATE NOW The Problem Population Almost half of Zambians live in extreme poverty and 66% of Zambia's population is under the age of 25. 59.4% of children live in poor households. With one of the highest child marriage rates in the world, 30% of girls will become pregnant before the age of 18. Education The number of children passing 9th and 12th Grade exams are only 55.3% and 64.8% respectively. Only 5% and 2% of 15-year-old students meet minimum proficiency levels in reading and math respectively. Transition rates from primary to secondary school remain low at 67.5% mainly due to the lack of schools to accommodate graduates. Special Education Children with special needs in Zambia are incredibly marginalized. They face the greatest development challenges due to stigma and limited resources. They have little or no access to the critical care, facilities, and support that they need to thrive. Most of them will never access a school room during their lifetime. Health Malnutrition continues to be an underlying cause of children’s deaths with little change over the last few decades; 35% of children are considered stunted. Zambia’s general population has an estimated HIV prevalence of 11.1%, with women carrying a higher burden at 14.2%. Health issues are worse in rural areas and among the poor. Solution Solution Every week, over 750 children, youth, and women access highly impactful programs and resources at AEP’s flagship Learning & Leadership Center, named Amos Youth Centre, in Kafue, Zambia. Many of their program participants take advantage of resources and training at the Center three to five times per week over the course of 10+ years, with life-changing results. Since the Center first opened its doors, AEP has partnered with local leaders and youth to develop, grow, and refine our Learning & Leadership Center model. Today, the Center is run almost entirely by alumni who returned to spearhead the Center’s programs after pursuing higher education. This is a true testament to the positive impact of their work, as well as the sustainable ripple effect of their programs, as these alumni become the leaders at the forefront of transforming their communities. Flagship Learning & Leadership Center Inclusive Learning & Education Read for Rose Special Education Program, Young Learners Program, High School Tutoring Program, College Prep Program, College Scholarship Fund Health & Wellbeing Reproductive Health Access Initiative (includes HIV/AIDS awareness), Menstrual Health Program, Mental Health & Counseling Program, Nutrition & Food Security Program (includes Daily Meals and Community Garden Project) Leadership & Community Development Entrepreneurship & Financial Literacy Program (includes Women’s Business Training, Youth Entrepreneurship Lessons, Young Learners Financial Literacy) Leadership development, women’s empowerment and girls’ agency, mentoring, community service and gender equity are woven throughout all of the holistic programs. What can we do WHAT CAN WE DO Support Mothers' Day Movement and African Education Program to build and grow community-led organizations for sustainable transformation. $50 Provide one year of play-based learning for a child in the Young Learner Program with a focus on literacy, math, science, art and team building. $100 Provide 500 meals to children so that they can dream big, reach their full potential, and become the change makers their communities deserve. $150 Provide accesses for one woman to the Women's Business Training program so she can learn how to start or grow a business and achieve financial stability. Honor your mother by aiding another. Donate this Mother's Day, and we'll send a card on your behalf. DONATE TODAY