Jude

Jude was 16 and taking care of her three younger brothers after her mother had died. Her father spent less and less time at home which she was thankful for because when he was home, he would hurt her. One day Jude's father never came back and Jude realized she had no way to make money to provide for her brothers. She sent each of the boys to the street to beg and she herself wandered the city begging for help. They survived this way until a man knocked on the door saying he was a friend of her father's and he had work for Jude. Jude hesitated to go with a stranger but the man promised it would pay enough to feed her brothers. Jude went with this man and didn't see her brothers for three years. 

The "work" Jude was forced to do was selling her body and performing for the lustful men who would pay for her time and services. Every time Jude tried to escape the brothel that had become her home she was threatened not with her life but with the lives of her brothers. Jude became numb after a year of "work". 

In her second year Jude met a Project Rescue worker who gave her food and hygiene materials and asked Jude if she wanted to leave the brothel and learn to read and write. Jude broke down crying and shared how her brothers' lives were at risk if she tried to leave. The worker asked where Jude was from and the names of her brothers. Jude didn't see the worker for another month, but then one morning before Jude had any customers for the day she recognized the woman approaching her. 

"I have found your brothers. A neighbor took them in after you were taken to this place. You can leave and they will come to no harm."

But Jude was full of fear and didn't believe it was possible that her brothers could be safe. For months this worker came to visit Jude and the other women and would offer them food and pray with them. After almost three years in the brothel Jude told the worker she would go with her to the Project Rescue center only if she could see her brothers. 

Jude has been safe since and has become a light in the home. She visits her brothers who are still being cared for by another family and Jude has learned to read and write and is working through our vocational training program.