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(WICHITA, Kan.)—
Sarah is now in nursing classes at Butler Community College. She hopes to break the cycle. “Here I am. This is my life with two kids. I have to do whatever I can to give them a better life. I don't want them to go through the same situation I have,” she said.There are many stories at the children’s home with happy endings like Sarah’s. There are also stories of unspeakable abuse.
Human trafficking is a growing problem. The Wichita Children’s home is seeing teenage girls who have been sold into prostitution.
“These are young girls, 12,13, 14 year olds," said case manager Lisa Brown. She says many of the girls become involved at a young age and actually help recruit other girls.
Brown says even after seeing some of the worst abuse cases, there are some that are hard to talk about even today. We asked her to tell us about one of them.
“It was an abuse case. Can I stop, I'm sorry,” said Brown crying. “It was young man who was beaten by his brother because he was getting involved in gangs. He was beaten, not only was he beaten, he had bite marks over 75 percent of his body, trying to teach him a lesson,” she continued. But that boy found safety at the Wichita Children’s Home.
The staff says it’s a place where every child, no matter what, is given an opportunity. “There's no child that should ever be thrown away. Every child deserves a chance,” she said.
The Wichita Children’s Home has faced budget cuts like most agencies. Although it takes clothes, toys and food donations what it needs most is money. It also is in need of volunteers.
If you are interested in helping, or if you need services or know someone who does, call the children’s home at 684-6581.
