Jasmine had been trafficked by gangs in El Salvador. She eventually escaped that life, but finding employment was difficult because she was labeled as a gang member rather than a victim. She was thrown yet another hurdle when diagnosed with cancer.
Her cancer treatment returned, but this time it was diagnosed as terminal. Rather than let that defeat her, she worked even harder, selling through social media and hiring bicycle couriers to deliver her sales to clients. To ensure her children had safe futures and were not at a risk of being trafficked by the same gangs, she retained a lawyer to give her sister custody when she passed away.
But Jasmine refused to let these challenges define her.
As a survivor of trafficking, Jasmine found independence with the help of Free The Girls and our Salvadoran partners. Through our holistic reintegration program, she began her own business of selling bras. Even during her cancer treatment, she sold bras in the oncology ward to medical personnel and other patients. She went into remission and became so successful she hired another survivor as an employee, her sister, Ann!
Jasmine’s story ended sooner than it should have, but because of her impact, her children and sister are living full lives they have chosen for themselves.
Jasmine continues to be a symbol of hope and possibility - not only to her family, but also for survivors of trafficking - creating a legacy of strength and freedom.