The Million Dollar Round Table Foundation will present a grant of $2,500 to 10/40 Connections, Inc. through their Worldwide Grant Program on Aug. 16.  The grant is for TraffickStop, 10/40 Connections’ initiative to prevent the trafficking of women from India to Nepal.  

The grant will be presented from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. during a lunch and interactive seminar hosted by 10/40 Connections at The Generosity Trust, 736 Market St., Suite 1402.

The MDRT Foundation is the charitable arm of the Million Dollar Round Table, The Premier Association of Financial Professionals. The MDRT Foundation helps MDRT members maximize their philanthropic efforts in their own communities and worldwide. Since 1959, the MDRT Foundation has awarded more than $28 million in life-changing grants to charitable organizations worldwide. MDRT Foundation grants support social service agencies, education and advocacy programs, medical agencies and many other causes committed to empowering people in need.

Founded in 2000 in Chattanooga by Chad and Leslie Neal Segraves (GPS 1992), 10/40 Connections is a non-profit Christian organization. 10/40 Connections cultivates global community in a fragmented world by equipping believers and engaging in ministries that fight injustice, empower children and plant multiplying churches among the least reached. 

Mr. Charles Collins of the Capital Financial Group will be presenting the grant check to Dr. Chad Neal Segraves and Dr. Leslie Neal Segraves.  

The TraffickStop initiative establishes frontline surveillance centers to detect and re-direct trafficked women.  Border stations are currently located at five borders in Southern Nepal (they desire to expand to 18) where workers offer advice and education to women passing through the porous borders.

When border workers discover trafficked women, they offer them sound information and godly counsel, officials said.  If a young woman cannot return home quickly because of public shame or danger of re-trafficking by relatives, she remains in protection in a recovery/halfway house for 6-12 months where she is taught vocational skills or given educational opportunities (Some are 12-14 years old).

Additionally, tailoring centers extend TraffickStop into high-risk communities, build vocational skills, and increase awareness of trafficking issues.  Sewing classes involve 20 women working on five sewing machines, for 12 hours a week, over a 6-month period of time.  Street dramas in rural villages further create awareness about the dangers of trafficking.

The organization desires to make the surveillance centers and recovery homes self-sustaining through local Nepali sources.  They have started three businesses so far and look forward to establishing multiple economic initiatives to create reputable and profitable jobs which will keep the borders going indefinitely, sustained by local Nepali funds.

They work in coordination with local and national Nepali border police to help them enforce the Nepali laws against trafficking.