Our Charity inFocus for the second half of 2018 is IJM Australia. As well as other events being held over the six months, a ping pong-a-thon event was hosted at our office to support IJM and the other partnering organisations, as well as raise awareness and fundraise for people affected by slavery across the globe.

Worldwide slavery
There are currently more than 40 million slaves in the world today, with 1 in 4 of these victims of forced labor being children. That’s more than ever in human history. This means that the slave industry is now a multibillion dollar industry. Human trafficking alone generates $150 billion annually.
IJM’s approach to issues of human trafficking and sexual exploitation focuses on the critical aspect of prosecution and strengthening of legal systems. Through IJM’s work, more than 40,000 people have been relieved from oppression and over 46,000 officers and officials have been trained.
If you wish to know more about the work IJM are doing to rescue these people, you can visit their website.

About ping pong-a-thon
Ping Pong-A-Thon is a fundraising & advocacy movement, combating human trafficking and exploitation of young people in South East Asia through a series of table tennis events held annually in October.
Schools, universities, churches, workplaces, sporting clubs and pubs across Australia and the USA, host table tennis events between 3 hours and 24 hours in length. Participants sign up to play at their venue of choice and invite family/friends to sponsor their efforts. Funds raised support the work of 9 organisations combating the slavery of some of the most vulnerable young people in our world.

Our impact
Saward Dawson has raised a significant amount to support IJM Australia and the other eight charities partnering in the cause through various events held at our firm. Our event has also prompted encouraging discussions within our firm and our community around the severe impacts of the slavery industry on communities in Australia and globally. We are excited to partner further with IJM through upcoming fundraising events in December.