Sr. Abby Avelino, MM, International Coordinator of Talitha Kum
On January 30th, 2024, in the presence of about 300 people, including ambassadors, people from institutions, religious and young people, Talitha Kum International launched the “Walking in Dignity” application.
Sr. Abby Avelino, MM, International Coordinator of Talitha Kum, opened the online and onsite event by presenting the goal and features of the app, a project that Talitha Kum members, embassies to the Holy See, and many volunteers have been working on for over a year and a half. The idea is to walk together, especially for and with young people, and engage against human trafficking by feeling involved in prevention, care of persons and empowerment of survivors.
The Irish Ambassador to the Holy See, H.E. Frances Collins, emphasized the importance of synergy between the networks and different organizations:
Working through networking, with different departments and states, is crucial because this is a common mission. All this work requires resources and we have to take care of vulnerable people to prevent them from ending up as victims of trafficking.”
The aim of the app is to increase awareness and knowledge of the phenomenon, it is a tool for not leaving people behind and or leaving them alone.
The US Ambassador to the Holy See, Joe Donnelly, congratulating the efforts that went into making the app, expressed his support, calling the project “an incredible step forward!”
Numerous young people, volunteers, and religious sisters testified their involvement in the testing phase of the app:
I encourage all young people to be ambassadors against human trafficking,”
said Elisabeth, a Youth Ambassador who completed the Talitha Kum trainers’ course in 2023.
“We are called to stand in solidarity with each other and leave no one behind. We must stand by all our friends who have been and are victims of trafficking and coercion. […] Young people are the center of the change we hope to see in the world. This is the call to action for all of us: we can be the change,” concluded Sr. Patricia Murray, IBVM, UISG Executive Secretary, officially launching the “Walking in Dignity” app.
This app “Walking in Dignity” aims to raise awareness of human trafficking and promote behavioral change. Walking together in dignity towards ending human trafficking.
The App invites users to share the efforts of Talitha Kum members and to think of the energy required to carry out social transformation for a world without human trafficking!
Why this app?
Talitha Kum’s app, Walking in Dignity, invites you to rise up and walk with us on this journey toward awareness on human trafficking and its prevention. By walking (literally! it is not a metaphor!):
- you learn;
- you engage, and show that you care about people facing human trafficking and have chosen to help care for, heal, and empower survivors;
- you support real projects against human trafficking.
Each step you take will be matched by donors in support of Talitha Kum’s mission. Every 1,000 steps you take, earn one token to learn and engage by donating your steps to any Talitha Kum or survivor-led projects upon your choice.
The creation of this application was made possible through the collaboration and support of Misean Cara, the Embassy of Ireland to the Holy See, the Embassy of the United States to the Holy See, the Galileo Foundation and the Global Solidarity Fund.
