By: Essence Buckman, Staff Writer

Though human sex trafficking is commonly heard to take place in different countries such as Mexico, or highly notable and populated cities such as Las Vegas, trafficking actually occurs even in small cities such as Spartanburg.

The non-profit program Project4one was created earlier in the year to raise money and awareness with the ultimate goal being to stop human trafficking across the globe.

“The purpose and vision behind Project4One is that it is worth the time, effort and money to save just one person,” Rebekah Bowie, ’16, says. “Project4One embraces NewSpring Church’s motto that ‘Every number has a name, every name has a story and every story matters to God…save the one.’”

“[One of the founders, Josh Holt, Wofford alumni] sent the money he raised by selling his artwork to the A21 campaign and was completely overwhelmed by the unexpected response,” Bowie says. “He received a letter from the organization explaining that the money he donated went directly to saving the life of a girl, and the letter continued to tell this girl’s story in detail. This had such an impact on Josh that he decided to start Project4One to save more people like that one girl because it is worth it for the one.”

According to Bowie, the background to Holt’s involvement with the movement included him selling his artwork to raise funds for human trafficking.

“Back in 2013,” Bowie states, “Passion Conference launched a national campaign called The End It Movement that raised over $3 million to fight human trafficking. Josh Holt saw a video produced by The End It Movement that showed the horrors of human trafficking with statistics of its prevalence… In March 2013, [members] partnered with people around the world to host the 27 hour Stand for Freedom at Wofford representing the over 27 million slaves in the world… [Holt] continued to raise support by selling his artwork (one of which hangs in President Samhat’s house) and then decided to take things a step further by creating a non-profit. He found two other friends passionate about the same cause, and together they formed Project4One.”

Holt, along with others, have made an effort to advocate the importance of a human life.

“Project4One seeks to raise awareness of the ever-present brutalities of human trafficking and to raise money to save those who have become slaves,” Bowie says, “Many people do not know, but there are over 27 million slaves in the world and four main hubs for sex trafficking in South Carolina alone. Project4One’s big event was the Walk for Freedom, which happened all over the world a few weeks ago. In Spartanburg, we walked around town holding up signs with startling, but very realistic, statistics about human trafficking.”

Human trafficking can occur anywhere and this group, along with other organizations and communities, all have the same goal to help these victims. Knowing the information on Project4one, anyone is encouraged to get involved. Those interested can contact Bowie at [email protected], and she will be able to get you into contact with Holt on joining this organization.