Be the Hope workshop was developed after publishing Dance For Me, the story of Maelea, a young girl from Cambodia who was sold into slavery and endured horrific abuse. The stories found within that book were true stories survivors shared and sparked a passion for learning more, and trying to raise awareness to help survivors of human trafficking.

The workshop is designed to be interactive and collaborative and, above all, the goal is to create awareness of how to recognize and support survivors of human trafficking. Evil flourishes in silence but flounders when its camouflage is revealed. The workshop can be educational. It can be emotional. It can be challenging. It can be thought-provoking. But whatever else it is, it is, at the core, hopeful because it recognizes the potential to overcome trauma and acknowledges the strength of the kindness that strengthens in the face of evil.

Writing the story changed me. It also struck me how well this story sold and performed on Amazon, both the Audible version and the paperback; nearly 900 reviews later and I’m convinced that part of the reason for its success is because people are haunted and overwhelmed by human trafficking, and there is an underlying desire to do something.

This event is just one thing: a step to take to learn more, to see. Because each person willing to see and learn and know, someone suffering is one moment closer to meeting someone capable and willing to walk alongside her until the chains are broken. No one deserves to be trafficked. No one deserves to be seen as nothing more than an object. No one deserves to be shamed or to live in fear.

The special workshop is only offered on two nights, July 31 OR August 4. It is a non-ticketed, free event (but it does require you to register) that will be interactive and survivor-focused. We will examine real life scenarios of how survivors were ensnared, provide an opportunity to discuss how to interact with survivors and learn to differentiate between behaviors that are probably indicative of an endangered person versus behaviors that may be culturally appropriate. There will also be reading excerpts of Dance for Me and, for stepping up to learn more, participants will receive a special gift.

To register, please send an e-mail to tiffini @ tiffinijohnson.com and include your name and your preferred date. To help adequately prepare, please RSVP at least 48 hours in advance of the date you prefer. Please also note that space is limited due to constraints with the virtual host: I encourage you to register early! If you have concerns or questions or would like to know more details about the program before registering, please don’t hesitate to let me know!

In a room of darkness, it only takes a candle to see the way out.