Free As A Human Foundation is a US registered Non-profit organization 501(c)(3) advocating for the elimination of modern slavery and human trafficking. It was founded by multidisciplinary artist, designer and social activist Anyango Mpinga, with a mission to support education and skills training for female survivors of Human trafficking. As part of our mission to serve our communities, we implement the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. These include Goal 5, advocating for Gender Equality and eliminating violence against women including human trafficking; Goal 8, which highlights the importance of providing decent work and economic growth and eradicate slave labor and Goal 16 for Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, which calls for the end of abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against women.

Free As A Human is on a mission to promote human rights as set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and subsequent United Nations conventions and declarations by raising awareness of human trafficking issues, its causes, manifestations, and its destructive effects and adverse consequences for those living principally in Kenya, and any other places where potential victims originate. We do this by hosting and promoting community events that highlight and support the personal development of victims of human trafficking and sexual abuse; promoting public support and respect for human rights, organising educational programmes, social advocacy and public awareness campaigns; mobilising funding to support female victims of human trafficking through our partner organizations and through the sale of merchandise. We work in partnership with non-profit organisation to advance the education of victims of human trafficking and sexual abuse by awarding scholarships and promoting employment opportunities through apprenticeship programs and employment workshops.

Free as a Human – Social Transformation in the Decade of Action

 

Our Partners

Swarovski Foundation

Established in 2013, the Swarovski Foundation brings focus to Swarovski’s historical commitment to philanthropy by supporting charitable organizations and signature programs to achieve positive social and environmental impact. Their mission is to achieve a more inclusive, equitable and sustainable society by fostering culture and creativity, promoting human empowerment, and preserving the environment to deliver to the Sustainable Development Goals. For our Art Exhibition – Hearing My Sister’s Voice at the High Line Nine in New York City, the Swarovski Foundation generously donated Jewelry for auction during the exhibition with 100% of the proceeds going towards Free As A Human Foundation

Swarovski Foundation

RA International

RA International is Africa’s premier provider of site construction and management services for clients in oil & gas, mining and humanitarian operations, working in remote and challenging environments. A wide range of NGOs, governmental organizations, private enterprises and multinational companies rely on them for mission-critical support in the face of cultural or geographical challenges. They are equipped to operate across the continent. Whatever the circumstances, they deploy a business model that puts long-term community impact at the core. They believe that private companies really can make a significant footprint in some of the world’s most challenging regions – and have a moral obligation to do so.

Since 2018, RA International has been a committed partner to Free As A Human. In July 2019, they began selling Free As A Human merchandise in their convenience store within their Mogadishu compound. Their aim was twofold: to raise money for the Free As A Human initiative and to raise awareness of their support for the initiative among staff and clients in Mogadishu. As a direct result, in October 2019 the British Forces in Somalia (an RA client) organised a charity fitness event called the Somali Spartan. Several teams took part, raising approximately US$6000 which was donated to HAART Kenya, the main beneficiary of the Free As A Human initiative and a long-term partner of RA International.

rainternationalservices.com

TrustLaw- Thomson Reuters Foundation

TrustLaw is the Thomson Reuters Foundation’s global pro bono legal programme. They connect high-impact NGOs and social enterprises working to create social and environmental change with the best law firms and corporate legal teams to provide them with free legal assistance. They produce groundbreaking legal research and offer innovative training courses worldwide. They run accredited legal training on social enterprise and impact investing as well as capacity-building workshops and webinars to provide practical guidance on legal issues relevant to NGOs and social enterprises.

www.trust.org

Paul Hastings LLP

In today’s world of transformative change, Paul Hastings’ purpose is clear — to help clients and people navigate new paths to growth. Their engagement with pressing social issues, including human trafficking, plays a critical role in navigating new paths of growth for its people. Paul Hastings is recognized as one of the world’s most innovative global law firms

Global Law Firm | Paul Hastings LLP

Alston & Bird LLP

Alston & Bird LLP is a leading international law firm with client service and teamwork as the cornerstones of all that they do. Alston & Bird offers many company-sponsored volunteer opportunities and encourages employees to volunteer with non-profits focused on their own philanthropic areas of interest. To better support its employees and the impact of their charitable giving and community service, Alston & Bird established the A+BOVE Program – A+B Opportunities for Volunteers to Engage. This program provides grants to non-profit organizations on behalf of employees who volunteer their time making a positive impact in the community.

Alston & Bird Law Firm | International Attorneys and Lawyers

Azadi Kenya

Azadi Kenya is a survivor-led, counter-trafficking NGO that focuses on the provision of long-term support for survivors of trafficking who, too often, find a lack of community support and understanding when reintegrating into society. Azadi runs several programmes all of which serve as a catalyst to facilitate healing, reintegration, and survivor leadership. We are launching the Free As A Human Education Hub in partnership with Azadi Kenya to provide tertiary education and skills training to female survivors of Human trafficking, thus increasing access to opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship, while diminishing the societal structures that would leave survivors vulnerable to further exploitation. Our Education Hub focuses on developing the capacity of survivors between the ages of 18-30, empowering them to be both successful and self-sufficient. Free As A Human also supports education for survivors in Primary and Secondary School, providing school fees, school supplies and transport to beneficiaries supported at the Azadi Kenya resource centre.

Our Education Hub, which already has a dedicated physical space in Nairobi, will feature a fully equipped computer lab with tutors and trainers, a library, a mother & baby room and child-minding services, which allows survivors with children to bring them to the hub and receive child minding support. With this additional support, each woman can focus on her education. Our Education Hub prioritises mental health, leadership, well-being and personal development through tailored mentorship, which gives women access to resources to reach their full potential.

Azadi Kenya: Human Trafficking, Women Empowerment:

Haart Kenya

Haart kenya is a non-governmental organization dedicated to ending human trafficking- also known as modern slavery. Their work, which is focused on the kenyan and east african region creates awareness against human trafficking in the grassroots communities in nairobi and its environs, assisting victims of trafficking, prosecuting perpetrators in partnership with other organizations and networks to end modern slavery. Haart runs a shelter for young females who have been rescued from human trafficking. Kenya is one of the leading transit points and destinations for human trafficking in sub-saharan africa with victims coming in from as far as india and nepal. Haart kenya is doing something about this conundrum and uses art as a tool to create awareness and has a project specifically for this purpose. Shelters offer a place of refuge for victims of trafficking as soon as they are rescued. Haart kenya offers much needed immediate care for victims to be able to recover from the trauma of their experiences. Haart shelter offers client-centered and trauma informed care to girls who are between the age of 6-18 years.

Awareness Against Human Trafficking | Haart Kenya