shield arrow-simple-alt-top arrow-simple-alt-left arrow-simple-alt-right arrow-simple-alt-bottom facebook instagram linkedin medium pinterest rss search-alt twitter video-play arrow-long-right arrow-long-left arrow-long-top arrow-long-bottom arrow-simple-right arrow-simple-left arrow-simple-bottom readio arrow-simple-top speaker-down plus minus cloud hb pin camera globe cart rotate star edit arrow-top arrow-right arrow-left arrow-bottom check search close square speaker-up speaker-mute return play pause love

LIMITED-TIME MATCH: Your loving gift will be matched to pursue justice and support for survivors.

I WANT TO SHOW WOMEN I CARE

Fighting the Ordinary

I thought that what I had seen in Kolkata and Delhi would never fade. The reality of girls and women reduced to things to be bought and sold. The reality of families enslaved for years, perhaps generations. And all of it happening today. Right now!


That was what I thought when I got back from viewing the work of IJM in the field. After all, seeing what I had seen and meeting the people who had been enslaved had a powerful impact on me. But time and the ordinary events of life dim these memories and it was not until I was asked if I could write a blog for the IJM Canada website and I started reading my journal from that trip that these memories came fully back to life.

Don’t get me wrong. I have been busy trying to get the message out to Canadians. I have spoken to groups about the need, the work and what we can do about it. I have been working with others to ensure that funds are raised and that the work can go on. All of that is my ‘ordinary’.

After reading again about the experiences I had in India I have found myself thinking, if I can lose myself in the ordinary events of my life and feel the outrage dim over time, what about people who have never seen it, have never smelled and felt it? How hard is it for them to keep the need front and center in their lives. That is why I am writing this blog and that is why I will keep writing.

I want you to know. I want you to feel. I want you to be just as outraged as I was, and am, that this violence against the poor is taking place. I have two daughters and cannot imagine the pain I would feel if one of them had to endure what millions around the world have to endure every day. That is exactly what so many parents are feeling this minute. What so many children are experiencing.

Jayanthi, pictured on the same day she was rescued from slavery in the rock quarry. She received an official release certificate declaring her free, and the picture she holds was the first drawing she had ever made.

I thank you for reading, for learning about the people we are trying to help. I thank you for deciding to do whatever you can to help. If my posts have brought this to life for you, good! If you have questions, also good! Please ask them and let us answer. We need partners in this work, this fight. We welcome you and all you can bring with you.


Want to get involved? Join us.


Read Glenn's other blog posts in this series:

Blog post #1 - Facing Violence Against the Poor
Blog post #2 - This Is Personal
Blog post #3 - Eyes Wide Open

Glenn Waterman is IJM Canada's Vice-President of Development and Marketing.

You might also be interested in…

see more

Newsletter Sign Up

Stay connected to the work! Sign up to get updates straight to your inbox.

Media Contact

We're here to answer your questions. Please fill out the form below and someone from our team will follow up with you soon.

Make an Impact

Your skills, talents, and ideas are a force for change. From birthday parties to polar dips, your fundraising campaign can stop the violence.

Learn More

Thank you for signing up to learn more about starting a fundraiser. We will be in touch soon!

In the meantime, please take a look at our free guide: 25 Tips for the Novice Fundraiser.

Need Help?

Need more information?
We're here to help.
Contact us at events@ijm.ca