Laureates of the Sisters Anti-Trafficking Awards 2023

02/11/2023

News

On 31 October 2023 in London, Farringdon, the Rt. Hon. Theresa May MP and Sir Mo Farah drew global attention to the exceptional contribution of Catholic sisters to the anti-trafficking movement, at the inaugural Sisters Anti-Trafficking Awards.

MC’d by broadcaster, journalist and writer, Adrian Chiles, the event honoured three sisters:

Sr Seli Thomas SMI from India,
Sr Patricia Ebegbulem SSL from Nigeria and
Sr Francoise Jiranonda SPC from Thailand

who have demonstrated courage, creativity, collaboration and achievement in the protection of their communities from human trafficking.

All three sisters are highly-experienced, accomplished anti-slavery advocates.

Sr Patricia Ebegbulem SSL from Nigeria won the Human Dignity Award, for lifetime achievement in addressing exploitation.

Sr Patricia’s contribution includes establishing and running a shelter for victims of human trafficking, organising support services for returning survivors of sex trafficking. She runs mass awareness programmes across high-risk rural areas and schools, and is a national leader on the issue of trafficking.

Sr Seli Thomas SMI from India won the Common Good Award, for courage and creativity in addressing exploitation.

Sr Seli aims to prevent young people being exploited by reaching out to the children of the brothel district, as well as running awareness camps and training women. She provides free legal aid, and conducts seminars and workshops for the villages, school teachers, and students on safe migration and human trafficking. She has helped rescue exploited girls and prosecute traffickers.

Sr Francoise Jiranonda SPC from Thailand won the Servant Leadership Award, for excellence in network building.

Sr Francoise has opened two schools, which protect vulnerable young Thai women from sex trade. Sr Francoise’s operations teach young women vocational skills for free after high school, and raise awareness. She was the Director of Talitha Kum Thailand, who were recognised by the Thai Government for their prevention and advocacy work.

19/11/2023

Dolores Markulik

This was really wonderful . Congratulations!

13/11/2023

María Pilar Polo

Doy gracias a Dios por el don de la generosidad, amor sin límites, regalando la vida a los mas necesitados con inteligencia creatividad y acierto. Les doy la enhorabuena,a cada una y creo nos podemos sentir muy orgullasas del premio recibido, nos alienta y anima que aunque nos vamos haciendo mayores tenemos espírirtu del Espíritu que nos acompaña siempre. ¡GRACIAS¡

12/11/2023

HERMANA BERTHA DE LOURDES SERRANO RODAS OP

Estoy agradecida con Dios, por el enorme trabajo misionero que hacen incansablemente las Hermanas y que tienen muy merecido estos premios. que satisfacción tan grande para la Iglesia y para la Vida Religiosa. ¡Que buenas operarias!, ¡que calidad de semilla! y el dueño de la mies su más mas alta inspiración. ¡FELICITACIONES HERMANAS! DESDE GUAYAQUIL - ECUADOR.

11/11/2023

María Pía

Siéntanse bendecidas por nuestro buen Dios, hermanas por su actititud samaritana que trasciende y produce cambios en la realidad sufriente de tantas hermanas y hermanos. Gracias por su testimonio y sigamos adelante apostando por la dignidad humana construyen Reino.