Masquerade Ball to help stop human trafficking

ANDOVER — Human trafficking is a travesty that remains in the world. Still, there are people doing their best to take action and stop it. One such person is Sarah Symons. She and her husband John Berger founded Made By Survivors in 2005.

"I saw a documentary about child sex trafficking and wanted to do something about it," Symons said. "We started researching. I was researching by talking to shelters and reading. I knew we wanted to do something that would help long term so that's where this came from."

The organization has numerous ways for people to help out and Symons appreciates when people do that in any way that they can.

"The Durga Tree International organization are actually the people hosting the event Friday. They are based in New Jersey and that is a local group that is great for volunteers," she explained. "Since it is almost the holidays there is also gorgeous jewelry that has been made by survivors for sale. The donations brought in will be used for schools and other events."

Made By Survivors will hold a masquerade ball Friday, Nov. 22 from 7 to 11 p.m. at Hudson Farms, 270 Stanhope Sparta Rd., Andover. Tickets are $500 and proceeds benefit both Made By Survivors and Durga Tree International. And The New Jersey Real Housewife, Dina Manzo among other high-profile locals are supporting this cause and will be present at the ball.

"The people at Durga Tree International are the ones that decided on a Masquerade Ball for this event. They thought that it would be a festive idea," Symons said. "It is more of a gala. It will be a very, very beautiful event with a whole evening of food and music. It will be extremely elegant and there will be people on hand to talk about the work."

Symons hopes that people will be willing to buy the jewelry and help the survivors.

"Every piece that is sold helps to provide a chance at a better life for these women."

The jewelry is handmade by survivors of human trafficking and other human rights abuses in India, Nepal and Thailand. The jewelry is first designed and then the women are trained to handcraft each piece.

Symons also has a new book, "This is No Ordinary Joy," where she recounts her journey and the uplifting stories of some of the survivors in her Made By Survivors programs.

For more information on Made by Survivors and to buy jewelry visit madebysurvivors.com. For more information on Durga Tree International visit www.DurgaTreeInternational.org.