Every child deserves to be delivered into the hands of joyful caregivers on the day they are born. Unfortunately, that’s not the reality for every baby.
In an impoverished urban neighborhood in the Philippines, a midwife often helped poor young women give birth at her clinic. Sometimes, she could tell that they were not sure they could care for the baby. She saw this as a dark opportunity.
The midwife started a Facebook page, advertising the sale of babies who were abandoned in her care. This black market form of adoption offered babies to willing buyers — few questions asked.
That’s how The Exodus Road’s team heard about Jewel.*
Baby Jewel was only six days old, but already the midwife was advertising her for sale on social media. For just the equivalent of $440, a buyer could take Jewel home.
We knew we had to act fast.
Working with law enforcement, we intercepted the sale of this infant. The Human Trafficking Division of the National Bureau of Investigation arrested the midwife, who is facing a potential life sentence in prison. Jewel is being cared for by social services, who will determine the safest place for her to grow up. Local news picked up the story, highlighting the significance of the case.
Every little girl like Jewel deserves to be treasured, not discarded. As a supporter of The Exodus Road, you are affirming that fundamental truth.
*Name and image representative
