I grew up in the Federal Way School District, going first to Star Lake Elementary, then to Federal Way Public Academy, and finally to Thomas Jefferson High School until my graduation in 2005.

In college, my major was international studies, and during this time I was surprised to learn about the status of global slavery, sexual exploitation and other forms of violent oppression. I had a vague conception of the world being unfair to all and especially unfair to some, but wasn’t aware that there was a prevalent and disheartening pattern in the developing world where oppressors prevail.

What this means is that there are upwards of 27 million slaves in the world today. Further, this issue has taken a much more economic angle than in the past. People are now used in the short-term to maximize profits while minimizing costs. Their worth is directly measured in the profit they can produce. Workers who get sick or injured are discarded. This is an obscenity and it is a devaluation of human life to the point of absurdity. In these cases, not only is a person’s free will taken away, but the person is objectified in extremis. The good news is that there is something that can be done.

After much introspection about the next step in my life, I decided to apply for an internship with a respected human rights agency called International Justice Mission. This organization rescues victims of violent oppression and restores them to lives of dignity. Not only does IJM seek justice by helping victims, but it partners with local authorities to ensure that the perpetrators of these crimes are prosecuted. I am continually impressed with IJM’s work and was honored when I received an offer to serve as an intern in South Asia for one year.

Since I was charged with the rather daunting task of raising my own funds for my unpaid volunteer position, I spent the next few weeks working construction during the day and fundraising at night. My plans were abruptly interrupted one day at work when my leg was run over by an excavator on site. Aside from my shattered ankle and broken shin, my injuries set me back several weeks in my fundraising. This was not my choice, but I can now decide what to do with it. So, as I now prepare to leave on Jan. 18 with less than half of my finances in order, I step out not knowing what will happen. Oddly enough, however, this new step in my life cannot be performed on my own. Just as many people in sexual and labor slavery have no way to freedom unless someone advocates for them, I too need to be enabled before I can act.

To learn how to help, visit my blog at www.bradyaway.blogspot.com or e-mail me at brady.a.nordstrom@gmail.com. To learn more about IJM and the global fight against injustice, visit www.ijm.org.

Brady Nordstrom, Federal Way