Inspire me – Red Light

Hi Robyn, tell us a bit about yourself?  “I moved to Durban after matriculating in 2000; and an incredible adventure began as I studied nursing at UKZN.  After studying I practiced as a midwife in Durban before venturing to London for just under two years and then on to New Delhi, India.  India changes you and they say ‘it gets in your veins’. I have been back every year since leaving and I don’t think I will ever stop returning; it’s like I left a piece of my heart there.”

“Whilst in India, my awareness of exploitation and modern day slavery became greater and on returning to South Africa, my desire to get involved with working in counter trafficking work and prevention and restoration began.”

What do you do now?  “I volunteer for Red Light Anti Human trafficking initiative (www.redlight.org.za) in Durban.  I work directly with survivors of human trafficking and women at risk (women leaving the red light areas) in seeing their identity and destiny restored.  One of the things we do, is create economic opportunities for them and facilitate their individual destinies. The ladies are currently making jewelry out of fallen nature (bark from the fever tree) for the ‘Ruth Range’.”

“I also work as a research consultant for organizations such as Zoe-Life and Tear Fund on various evaluations and studies regarding child HIV testing, breastfeeding support and sexual violence. I also am in the process of doing my doctorate in Nursing with a focus on aftercare for human trafficking survivors.”

What gets you excited to get out of bed in the morning? What inspires you? “I get excited about being able to be a partner in what God is doing in this world.  It is a huge privilege to work with the broken and hopeless and see them set free and restored. To see the women I work with blossoming in to incredible women of destiny who know who they are in God.”

• Learner lights, to train in local schools,universities, communities and businesses.
• Night Lights, to accompany the teams on night outreaches.
• To assist with the restoration program Inkululeko.
• To assist once a week with workshops,  markets throughout the year.
• Volunteers with skills can assist the women in the program with skills, business skills and mentoring.
• Red Light Business Network
• Businesses can network with Red Light which will facilitate the placement of women who are in the restoration program in employment and be reintegrated in society with a sustainable living opportunity and allow restoration of destiny.
• Any training, experience that businesses or entrepreneurs can offer to assist Red Light are needed.

Resources needed:

• Second hand clothes in good condition can be donated which are given to the women in our program to earn additional income.
• Toiletries are also welcome and are given to women that graduate from the first phase rehabilitation program.
• Finances: Red Light currently has no sustainable funding and depends on individual donors.  The Inkululeko project is hoped to be sustainable and allow Red Light to continue its work with paid staff. Any form of financial assistance is greatly appreciated to finance Red Lights’s continued work.”

Dream travel destination? “I would love to go to Ethiopia :)”

What do you love to do when you have some down time?  “Paint, to have a cup of tea with close friends.”