Beatrice Fernando found herself in such a predicament early in her adult life. With the skills of an author and veteran storyteller, and the passion of a survivor, she holds her audiences in awe as they listen to her relive her experience, bringing to life the details of those tragic days so that we, too, can feel what it means to those who are trapped and unable to call out to us from their bondage. Beatrice educates others about the realities of modern day slavery and empowers others to help put an end to this world-wide tragedy.Nivasa Foundation is her brainchild organization which serves to help women who, like Beatrice, miraculously survived a horrific human trafficking experience, only to return to Sri Lanka and still be trapped in poverty and despair, with children to care for and little prospect of making a decent living to afford even the basic necessities for their education and welfare.
Saturday August 2nd
the Underground, 10:15-11:30am
Slavery in the 21st Century
Slavery did not end in 1865 when slavery in America was outlawed; in fact, slavery remains worldwide to this very day. Relatively few Americans are aware that 27 million men, women, and children are indeed spending their days today, tomorrow and the years ahead in the unthinkably tragic and horrific plight of human bondage. Often trafficked to unknown lands where they are separated from others who speak their language, unable to contact anyone who cares for them and loves them, these men, women and children are abused daily, forced to work in unspeakable conditions for little or no pay, often without adequate food, shelter, or medical care. Their suffering is never-ending, their faith in God their only hope and sanity. As the Soulfest University Pledge so eloquently expresses, God’s children need to “stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves…fight against powers and principalities” and …become more aware of, educated about, and responsive to all indignities and injustices that enslave those who are weaker and who suffer from extreme poverty.” When the good people who attend the festival hear Beatrice Fernando speak, we know that they “will not be silent or passive, because these crimes are so great an atrocity against the image of God.”
Slavery did not end in 1865 when slavery in America was outlawed; in fact, slavery remains worldwide to this very day. Relatively few Americans are aware that 27 million men, women, and children are indeed spending their days today, tomorrow and the years ahead in the unthinkably tragic and horrific plight of human bondage. Often trafficked to unknown lands where they are separated from others who speak their language, unable to contact anyone who cares for them and loves them, these men, women and children are abused daily, forced to work in unspeakable conditions for little or no pay, often without adequate food, shelter, or medical care. Their suffering is never-ending, their faith in God their only hope and sanity. As the Soulfest University Pledge so eloquently expresses, God’s children need to “stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves…fight against powers and principalities” and …become more aware of, educated about, and responsive to all indignities and injustices that enslave those who are weaker and who suffer from extreme poverty.” When the good people who attend the festival hear Beatrice Fernando speak, we know that they “will not be silent or passive, because these crimes are so great an atrocity against the image of God.”