May 19, 2011
ABC News10.net
Written by Maneeza Iqbal
ROCKLIN, CA - After graduation, few students plan to go to a third world country.
For Kaitlin Dunn, it was a no brainer.
Dunn graduated from William Jessup University last Saturday and is headed to Cambodia to work with Agape International to fight sex trafficking.
Dunn double majored in youth ministry and bible theology. She hopes to take what she learned and help the girls rescued from sex trafficking.
"I've been involved in a youth group since I was in high school," Dunn said. "It was such a major part in shaping me and giving me that confidence and I want to do that for someone else."
In this Q&A, Dunn talks about how she got involved with Agape International and how she decided to go to Cambodia.
How did you get involved with Agape International?
I went on a two-week trip to Cambodia with Bayside Church this past November, and we worked with Agape International on that trip. When I got back, I kept in contact with Don and Bridget Brewster, and ended up talking to them about going back more long term.
What inspired you to join Agape International in Cambodia?
I am so passionate about what AIM is doing (fighting sex-trafficking). Being there in the middle of everything that is happening is way different than being here in the United States and just hearing about it.
After seeing it in person in Cambodia, and getting to know some of the girls that are actually going through it, I had to do something. I couldn't just sit here and hear about it and then ignore it, I had to take action.
Really, the girls that I worked with the two weeks I was there inspired me to go.
After being with them, my heart was completely broken, and I knew I had to go back. But it still took a lot of prayer and thinking to make the decision to go. I prayed a lot about it, and talked to those closest to me, and I just really feel like Cambodia is where God wants me right now, and this is what I am called to do at this point in my life.
If I looked back in a couple years, and knew that I had the chance to go fight sex-trafficking in Cambodia, and didn't take it, I don't think I could live with that.
What are you doing to prepare for your trip to Cambodia? (i.e. emotionally, physically, etc.)
Getting a lot of shots!
I just spoke with the travel nurse about all the vaccinations I have to get, and it doesn't sound like it's going to be much fun.
I know it is going to be tough emotionally and spiritually there. I am doing a lot of praying, individually and with some people in my life who really care about me and want to support and encourage me.
What will you be doing in Cambodia?
I will be teaching English to a lot of the young adults of Svay Pak, as well as tutoring a couple of the girls from Agape Restoration Center, and helping out at Rahab's House (the community center in Svay Pak) in whatever way they need.
How did the issue of sex trafficking become your cause?
When I first heard about sex trafficking, I was completely shocked, and angry.
I couldn't believe what was happening to these girls. When I got the chance to go on the trip to Cambodia in November, it really sparked my passion to fight for this cause.
Seeing and building relationships with these girls, some as young as four years old, and knowing what has happened to them and what is still happening to a lot of them, I had to join the fight.
What is happening to these girls is not ok.
I know I can't single handedly stop sex trafficking, but I can bring some hope to the girls I'll be working with. I have been asked if there is any hope for these girls, and my answer is: there is hope for the ones we help.
So that's what I'm going to do, I'm going to go help, and try to give some hope to them.
We are all called to bring justice here on earth.
I strongly believe this, and this is how I am putting that belief into action right now.
How can other people help end sex trafficking?
Educate yourself on the issue.
Know what is going on, and then make others aware of this issue too.
Donate money to organizations working to stop it, like Agape International, Courage 2B You, International Justice Mission, etc.
Buy coffee from Origin Coffee (all proceeds go to ending sex-trafficking).
This isn't just an issue happening in Cambodia, it is happening here in the United States as well. Most of the kids this is happening to in the U.S. are from foster care and group homes, so if you really want to do something about it, become a foster parent and get these kids into safe, healthy homes.
What are your plans after you get back from Cambodia?
For the past few years, I have been working in youth ministry, with junior high students.
I would love to continue doing youth ministry and working with teenagers when I get back, and continue doing whatever I can to fight to stop sex-trafficking.
News10/KXTV
ROCKLIN, CA - After graduation, few students plan to go to a third world country.
For Kaitlin Dunn, it was a no brainer.
Dunn graduated from William Jessup University last Saturday and is headed to Cambodia to work with Agape International to fight sex trafficking.
Dunn double majored in youth ministry and bible theology. She hopes to take what she learned and help the girls rescued from sex trafficking.
"I've been involved in a youth group since I was in high school," Dunn said. "It was such a major part in shaping me and giving me that confidence and I want to do that for someone else."
In this Q&A, Dunn talks about how she got involved with Agape International and how she decided to go to Cambodia.
How did you get involved with Agape International?
I went on a two-week trip to Cambodia with Bayside Church this past November, and we worked with Agape International on that trip. When I got back, I kept in contact with Don and Bridget Brewster, and ended up talking to them about going back more long term.
What inspired you to join Agape International in Cambodia?
I am so passionate about what AIM is doing (fighting sex-trafficking). Being there in the middle of everything that is happening is way different than being here in the United States and just hearing about it.
After seeing it in person in Cambodia, and getting to know some of the girls that are actually going through it, I had to do something. I couldn't just sit here and hear about it and then ignore it, I had to take action.
Really, the girls that I worked with the two weeks I was there inspired me to go.
After being with them, my heart was completely broken, and I knew I had to go back. But it still took a lot of prayer and thinking to make the decision to go. I prayed a lot about it, and talked to those closest to me, and I just really feel like Cambodia is where God wants me right now, and this is what I am called to do at this point in my life.
If I looked back in a couple years, and knew that I had the chance to go fight sex-trafficking in Cambodia, and didn't take it, I don't think I could live with that.
What are you doing to prepare for your trip to Cambodia? (i.e. emotionally, physically, etc.)
Getting a lot of shots!
I just spoke with the travel nurse about all the vaccinations I have to get, and it doesn't sound like it's going to be much fun.
I know it is going to be tough emotionally and spiritually there. I am doing a lot of praying, individually and with some people in my life who really care about me and want to support and encourage me.
What will you be doing in Cambodia?
I will be teaching English to a lot of the young adults of Svay Pak, as well as tutoring a couple of the girls from Agape Restoration Center, and helping out at Rahab's House (the community center in Svay Pak) in whatever way they need.
How did the issue of sex trafficking become your cause?
When I first heard about sex trafficking, I was completely shocked, and angry.
I couldn't believe what was happening to these girls. When I got the chance to go on the trip to Cambodia in November, it really sparked my passion to fight for this cause.
Seeing and building relationships with these girls, some as young as four years old, and knowing what has happened to them and what is still happening to a lot of them, I had to join the fight.
What is happening to these girls is not ok.
I know I can't single handedly stop sex trafficking, but I can bring some hope to the girls I'll be working with. I have been asked if there is any hope for these girls, and my answer is: there is hope for the ones we help.
So that's what I'm going to do, I'm going to go help, and try to give some hope to them.
We are all called to bring justice here on earth.
I strongly believe this, and this is how I am putting that belief into action right now.
How can other people help end sex trafficking?
Educate yourself on the issue.
Know what is going on, and then make others aware of this issue too.
Donate money to organizations working to stop it, like Agape International, Courage 2B You, International Justice Mission, etc.
Buy coffee from Origin Coffee (all proceeds go to ending sex-trafficking).
This isn't just an issue happening in Cambodia, it is happening here in the United States as well. Most of the kids this is happening to in the U.S. are from foster care and group homes, so if you really want to do something about it, become a foster parent and get these kids into safe, healthy homes.
What are your plans after you get back from Cambodia?
For the past few years, I have been working in youth ministry, with junior high students.
I would love to continue doing youth ministry and working with teenagers when I get back, and continue doing whatever I can to fight to stop sex-trafficking.
News10/KXTV
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