Beginning of Life

Formed in 1999, Beginning of Life rescues women from the snare of human traffickers, and hence from life in the sex trade and its associated spiritual, health, social and psychological traumas.

Imagine a 16-year-old girl, alone except for her baby, living in terrible conditions. Imagine she has already been a prostitute for 6 years. Imagine she was sold into that terrible trade by her parents – betrayed by those who should protect her.

She is afraid for her younger sisters. She is afraid that all of them will be kidnapped and forcibly sent 1000 miles to the West to be further abused. What will become of her child? What will become of her?

Tens of thousands of young Moldovans have been sold as slaves for the sex trade in Western European cities and further afield. $2000 (about £1,300) or less buys a young girl for the rest of her unhappy life. The evil in British society, and that of neighbouring countries, is stealing the lives of many young Moldovans.

The Moldovan context is that of Europe’s poorest country. Extreme poverty and high rates of alcoholism, drug abuse and domestic violence make many young people extremely vulnerable to the promises of the traffickers. Once tempted, they are easily caught. Moldova’s sex slaves come from all over the country – from Chisinau, the capital, and from Gagauz-Ery, an autonomous southern region with a Turkic population.

Safe house & team

Beginning of Life's commitment is "To restore God's orginal intent for His creation, simultaneously transforming people physically and spiritually, restoring them in society."

Their safe house in Chisinau, Moldova's capital city, has proved both a haven for those few who can be snatched from the clutches of traffickers, and a first step to restoration and a new beginning with better life options.

Our partners also work in schools and other venues to change the attitudes which allow this evil to flourish, and they give a wide range of practical help to those in need, to reduce their vulnerability.

WorldShare has a previous link with Beginning of Life: the founders, Vladimir and Iulia Ubeivolc, are graduates (and once sponsored students) from St. Petersburg Christian University. Now we will be helping them more.

Beginning of Life is increasingly recognised – in Moldova and further afield – for its work. In 2010 they organised a Europe-wide conference on sex trafficking in Moldova, which was attended by representatives from 25 countries.

Beginning of Life urgently needs help to continue and to grow this vital ministry. Their team of 12 needs support. Your gift, of any size, will help them to continue their work around Chisinau, and also to extend more help to the north and south of the country.

In particular, it costs Beginning of Life about £420 per month to provide care in the safe house for one rescued girl. Can you help, with a one-off or regular gift, to rescue a young life?

Click to read 'Europe's Biggest Scandal', our additional article on this issue, from where there is also a Donation Page to help Beginning of Life.

Other projects to help this ministry:

G208 - Protect girl from trafficking, Moldova (opens Gift of Hope site in new window)