At Free Rain, our mission is to provide freedom and justice to those in need. We seek to provide safety for those coming from human trafficking, exploitation, domestic violence, and extreme poverty. Since we began in 2016, years we’ve seen thousands of people be freed and prevented from exploitation. As our organization grows, so does our vision.
Those who are freed from exploitation and oppression are often forced to go back to the same place where the bad circumstances began. They’ll likely be taken back to the village where they grew up in poverty and were abused. Healing can’t happen in those same environments if they are experiencing the same things that caused them harm in the first place.
When Gideon came to me and said he found a small plot of land just 15 minutes away from our training center, I said, “Let’s buy it,” without hesitation. It was well within our budget and I felt that we’d be foolish not to get it. From there we began planning. We knew three small homes would fit on the property comfortably, and we knew exactly who needed those homes.
At the same time as we were securing this plot of land, my home church, Crossroads, was planning their annual short term trip to visit our program. When speaking with the team lead, Lisa Mitchison, she was excited to jump on and help with our first home. When they got here, she let us know that they would be financially supporting our first three homes. Instant ugly tears came rolling down my cheeks.
Team members Ashleigh, Chris, Gene, and Scott came to help get the land prepared for the foundation. They also helped install the septic system. Over the next month local construction workers built the frame, laid bricks, and secured the roof. A plumber came to install the water supply and an electrician installed the lights. I went shopping with Awe, our project manager, for all the furniture.
The day came to give the first house to the woman who needed it. She is in our Sew Free program and is one of our lead crochet artisans. This woman has experienced domestic violence, labor exploitation, and sexual exploitation. If anyone deserved a place to call home, it's her. I gave her the keys and she smiled, cried, and nervous-laughed the whole way through her new home. It was a moment that will stay with me forever.
Our second and third homes were completed in April. One will go to another seamstress in Sew Free, who was once homeless. The other will remain empty for emergency housing for women we meet during outreach. This way there is a safe and secure location away from their trafficker.
As a result of the success of our annual gala we now have the ability to build 10 more homes for people in need.
This is the start of a new kind of community for those that have escaped trafficking, domestic violence, and abuse. Those who live here will find freedom and healing from the trauma they survived. I pray they find hope for themselves, their family, and their future.