James & Athena Pond  - Transitions

James and Athena Pond founded Transitions as a result of their work in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The Ponds have been working with survivors of sex trafficking in Cambodia since 2005, and have developed a long-term rehabilitation center, The Dream Home, for exploited girls ages 13-18 that have been rescued from sex trafficking.

 It all began with an episode of NBC’s “Dateline,” called “Children for Sale” -  http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/25841009#25841009 - which aired in 2004. It had a powerful impact, and the Pond’s knew right away that their lives would never be the same. Later that year, James and Athena quit their jobs, sold their house and their belongings, and moved to Cambodia, together with their three children, and “never looked back.”

Today Transitions has developed a high-quality, results-driven care model that responds to the primary issues facing minor victims of sex trafficking. Their focus on rehabilitation and reintegration offers girls opportunities to heal from the past and acquire life, social and career skills that prepare them to function as healthy, independent adults. The program has had an “84% success rate,” meaning that more than 3 out of 4 girls who have been rescued and rehabilitated at the Dream Home do not fall victims to commercial sex trade again upon leaving the program. Instead, the girls rejoin society educated and equipped for professional success.

Transitions is growing and has expanded its programs to include new initiatives including the Shine Career School, the Bridge Project, and the STAR House.  Additionally, Transitions has consulted with shelters in India, Greece, Indonesia, and the United States assisting in establishing effective aftercare programs for the survivors of sex trafficking.

The success of Transitions Global aftercare program is remarkable. James and Athena Pond have truly transitioned these girls from the lives of sexual slavery into the world that holds dreams and possibilities again. It proves once again the fact that one person or one family can make a difference and transform people’s lives, including their own.

For more information about sponsoring a girl visit out website by clicking on the this link:

http://www.transitionsglobal.org/