Newsletter February 2015
A New Year for HopeNow
We look forward to a new year working towards our on-going goals to reach out to an even greater number of trafficked people and strengthening HopeNow’s efforts. Additionally, we will focus our efforts in expanding the network of people who support HopeNow through collaborations, members and qualified volunteers. Our supporters are the driving force in our work against human trafficking. You make a difference and we greatly appreciate your continued support!
HopeNow lecture about human trafficking
I january, HopeNow’s Founder, Michelle Mildwater, and Chairwoman Anne Brandt Christensen, were invited to discuss the issue of human trafficking with Erasmus-students at the KFSH University in Munich. They shared their knowledge about the cultural, legal, social and psychological aspects of human trafficking, which was received with a great interest from the students and the institution:
HopeNow’s Program Manager, Sune Min Barker, visited Aarhus Business College during their “Students in a Global World “ themed week for the third year in a row. Sune and HopeNow’s Project Coordinator, Maiken Andersen, lead a discussion with approximately 200 students on the underlying global root causes of human trafficking. The students described HopeNow’s presentation as the most interesting lecture of their themed week.
Additionally, HopeNow’s Elisabeth Berg visited fifteen Danish boarding schools to discuss HopeNows work and the plight of trafficked people. On HopeNow’s Facebook page one of Rinkenæs school’s students wrote;
HopeNow is delighted with the great interest for the organization’s knowledge on human trafficking. We believe that education and debate are key elements in the fight against human trafficking.
If you or somebody you know is interest in inviting HopeNow to your company or school to discuss human trafficking or HopeNow’s work, visit our website for more information here
Interview with HopeNow in the News
You can see the news broadcast here and read a more detailed interview with Anne Brandt and others focusing on the issue, here.
HopeNow hosted quaterly anti-trafficking meeting
Themeday at Funen
On tuesday the 19th of february, HopeNow had a very succesful fund and awareness raising event when Midtfyns Boardingschool, The congregation of Søndre Nærå and HopeNow’s volunteer, Elisabeth berg, worked together to arrange a themeday to support HopeNow.
There was a movie and pictures about HopeNow’s work with human trafficked victims and Michelle Mildwater gave speeches at the school and later at a Church service.
During the day one could win a lot of great prices at the lottery, listen to music played by the students, buy books and food from the various stalls. There was an auction where to the artist, Astrid Søe, donated the sculpture, “Handle with care” and where students from the boardingschool sold themselves to be “slave for a day”. The auction with the scuplture is still running, so if you are interested contact Elisabeth Berg on: elisab.berg@gmail.com.
Altogether the contributions from the themeday came to 11.000kr. At HopeNow we are very grateful for the support and the work of Midtfyns boardingschool, The contegration of Søndre Nærå and our volunteer, Elisabeth Berg!
The sculpture, “Handle with Care”, from Astrid Søe
A party for HopeNow
HopeNow is thrilled with any initiative to push anti-trafficking work forward. If you have an idea that you would like to share with us, please let us know by contacting this email: anne-mette.ostergaard@hopenowdk.onmicrosoft.com
A series of Concerts for HopeNow
HopeNow will discuss the issue of human trafficking, recount the stories of several trafficked persons and the organization’s work to help them. It was these stories that inspired Anja to donate the concerts to help HopeNow. At these concerts, you will also have the opportunity to offer your support through charitable donations or a membership to HopeNow.
You can read more about Anja Lillemæhlum here and listen to samples of her music here.

18th of March 12.00 pm at the Jerusalemschurch,
Rigensgade 19, 1316 København
31th of March kl. 19.30 at Timotheuschurch,
Christen Bergs Allé 5, 2500 Valby
We look forward to seeing you at the concerts!