NGO Launches Fundraiser to Rescue Trapped, Abused African Families

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. - Sept. 27, 2018 - PRLog -- Escalating civil conflict in one African nation has led to a dire situation in which a group of families is being trapped and subjected to daily brutality.

One NGO hopes to free these families by raising funds to support an elaborate freedom plan that will bring the families from their home country to safe harbor. California-based Project Hope & Fairness, or PH&F, focuses on matters related to fair trade between the U.S. and global producers. The crisis was brought to their attention due to their work in the region. Volunteers and staff associated with the organization decided to launch a campaign to raise the funds necessary to lead 22 children, women and men to a place of asylum.

The families are being kept prisoner and subjected to unspeakable atrocities in an undisclosed location in Africa. Organizers cannot share where they are due to the sensitive nature of planning their escape from their home country to a safe haven. Meanwhile, the families, who are part of a minority group targeted by both the military and extremists, are being subjected to gruesome violence and human rights violations.

Volunteers from PH&F have been working on the families' escape plan for months. Due to setbacks related to new barriers along the escape route and the speed with which military forces are moving in, they are hoping to raise funds quickly via the campaign.

In total, PH&F aims to raise at least $41,670 to pay for transportation from the families' native country to their place of asylum abroad, along with any legal fees incurred, bus and air travel through several countries, and boarding at safe houses along the way.

PH&F focuses on de-colonializing chocolate by building chocolate factories in small African villages. Ordinarily, PH&F would raise funds to build rice hulling and chocolate-making facilities among other organizational needs. Due to the gravity of this situation, they have offered to collect and distribute donations for these individuals in addition to their fundraising activities.

"We are glad to help to rescue these 22 who are so at risk, knowing that the number of people at risk grows daily," said Tom Neuhaus, spokesperson for PH&F.

The organization has begun helping some of the 22 escape the country but has grave concerns for those who have been unable to escape to date. Arrangements are under way for an alternative plan to get them out of the republic. As such, every dollar counts. Donations of all sizes are welcomed and appreciated.

Donors who contribute to the campaign will be invited to share a meal with the families once they are settled in their place of asylum. Tax-deductible gifts can be made at the following pages:
https://www.crowdrise.com/o/en/campaign/journey-to-freedom
https://www.gofundme.com/psma5x-journey-to-freedom
https://www.projecthopeandfairness.org/donate.php

About Project Hope & Fairness
Project Hope & Fairness, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) volunteer organization based in San Luis Obispo, California created to assist African cocoa farmers who suffer disproportionately from the inequities in the world cocoa trade, with particular focus on the participation of chocolate producers and consumers in the United States. Learn more at https://www.projecthopeandfairness.org.