2 weeks ago, a newspaper report about a 12 year old girl offered for sale for $50 gripped me. A human trafficker asked a man, "Do you want a 12-year-old to do housework and be a sex slave? The price is only $50."

This was a case human trafficking and abuse. I told my children about it. Finn, my 9 year old, responded in disbelief, "This is so unfair!" My oldest son is nearly twelve.

No parent wants their children in such a predicament. It is indeed unfair, our children have education, toys and annual holidays. But these children and women, born in the wrong country and different circumstances, suffer from abuse of all kinds - physical, emotional and sexual.

As adults, we know life is not fair, but we can make it better. I went for my long run wondering what I can do. My personal donation to this cause can only do so such...

An idea came to me, I want to invite invite you to join me in this cause. I am running the Standard Chartered Full Marathon on 4 Dec 2016 and want to invite you, if you choose to help these children and women, to donate $X for each km I run. All proceeds will go to Hagar, international NGO committed to the recovery and economic empowerment of women and children who are survivors of extreme human rights abuse, particularly in the area of human trafficking, gender-based violence, and sexual exploitation.

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Show your support for survivors of trafficking as they overcome their physical and mental limits in the Angkor Wat Marathon on December 4, 2016.

Women and children who have undergone severe extreme human rights abuse often grapple with a damaged self-esteem, and lack confidence. Some carry with them scars on their physical body throughout their lifetime. Express your encouragement by donating to their Run for Freedom! Your donation will help them recover and achieve their dreams for the future.

In Singapore, Hagar has been running a trauma recovery and resettlement programme for girls who are trafficked here for sexual and labour exploitation. Singapore is a transit and destination hub for trafficking activities. Unscrupulous employers target those who are looking for employment opportunities and their lack of knowledge to trick them into our country. Upon being rescued, Hagar assists them by providing them with legal protection, trauma recovery, education and vocational training. The final step is helping them reintegrate back to their local community and minimising any re-exploitation.

A registered charity in Singapore, Hagar is an international organisation operating in 10 countries worldwide to raise public awareness on human rights and tangible support for survivors. Hagar staff and supporters around the world will be joining these survivors in this remarkable run. We are forming a Hagar Singapore contingent, and if you wish to join us, visit our website today.

HAGAR is an international NGO committed to the recovery and economic empowerment of vulnerable persons who are survivors of extreme human rights abuse, particularly in the area of human trafficking, gender-based violence, and sexual exploitation.

We are in 9 countries worldwide. HAGAR receives into our care those who have suffered the worst of human conditions and many are referred to HAGAR by the local government and non-governmental organisations in the country. We walk the whole journey with each individual, ensuring holistic healing, legal and physical protection, social rehabilitation, education and economic empowerment for eventual reintegration into society.

In Singapore, we provide recovery care and empowerment to young women who have been trafficked to Singapore and foreign domestic workers who have been exploited. Further to that, Hagar also assists by coordinating their return to their home country and resettle them in their communities upon conclusion of their court hearings in Singapore.

The ultimate goal is to help each of these trafficked and abused survivors get over their painful past, realise their innate potential and put them on the path of self-sustainability where they will be able to help themselves in the long run. Our purpose is singular. We do whatever it takes for as long as it takes to restore a broken life.