FreeToBeKids is a not-for-profit humanitarian aid organisation that is working to rescue, shelter and set free children who are facing extreme situations of abuse and exploitation. FreeToBeKids was founded in 2005 by Benj Geerling after he was moved to do something to rescue a young girl who was offered for a few dollars on the streets of India. FreeToBeKids has a small team in Melbourne, Australia, and is currently working in India and the DR Congo.

We shouldn’t exist, but the below statement are facts about the world we live in that we can’t ignore. We believe something must be done to rescue children who find themselves trapped in these abusive situations and have no one else to speak up for them.

• Each year, more than 2 million children are exploited in the global sex trade (United Nations).
• A child can be purchased for $20AUD in India.
• Human Trafficking is now considered the 2nd largest and fastest growing illegal trafficking activity in the world. (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, 2008)
• It is estimated that the human trafficking market has a value of $32 billion USD a year. (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, 2008)
• 80% of the victims of human trafficking are females, and 50% are children ( US Department of State 2007)
• Some child prostitutes are forced to serve 1500 clients per year. (US Department of Justice)

• Child pornography is a multi-million dollar industry and among the fastest growing criminal segments on the Internet. (US Centre for missing and exploited children)

INDIA We have a number of safehouses in India, where children who are rescued from situations of extreme exploitation and abuse are provided with a safe house to grow up in. We have around 80 children in our care ranging from babies to teenagers.

DR CONGO FreeToBeKids is working to start a rescue centre and trafficking prevention project to assist the thousands of children and young women who are victims of civil war, rape & HIV/AIDS.

FreeToBeKids, by partnering with local people and organisations in country, is able to be actively involved in the rescue of exploited and abused children, and to then ensure that these children are provided with a safe and secure future.

FreeToBeKids relies solely on donations from individual donors and corporate partners to keep operating.

The FreeToBeKids Foundation is a Deductible Gift Recipient, allowing donations from Australia to be tax deductible.

FreeToBeKids has the relevant fundraising licences/charity status for the Australian states of VIC, SA, TAS, NSW & QLD