2011-2012 HAGAR AUSTRALIA ANNUAL REPORT - This is Hagar

2011-2012 HAGAR AUSTRALIA ANNUAL REPORT

OUR
MISSION
Whatever it takes for as long as it takes
to restore a broken life.
Reflections on
2011-2012
In this publication names have been
changed where required to protect client
identities and pictures do not necessarily
represent the individual profiled.
2011 and 2012 were watershed years for Hagar
Australia. The supporter base continued to
expand and income remained on its growth
trend, almost doubling over a two year period.
Seed money was raised to support the transformation
of Hagar Australia from a volunteer-led,
Western Australian focussed organisation to
a professionally led national entity. A search
was conducted culminating in the appointment
of Kate Kennedy as Hagar Australia’s first and
Melbourne-based CEO.
As one of the founding members of Hagar
Australia, I look forward to the next stage of the
journey where Kate will bring her energy and
professional expertise to transforming Hagar
Australia into a vibrant, national organisation. My
thanks go to all our Australian supporters who
have made this journey possible.
Harvey Collins
Chairman Hagar International
Board Member
Hagar Australia Inc.
It may come as a surprise, but slavery still exists.
The UN estimates that up to two million people
are trafficked each year. Children are sold for sex,
women for domestic servitude and boys used in
unspeakable ways.
Throughout 2011-2012, Hagar Australia continued to
work with these brave people after they were rescued
from some of the worst cases of human rights
abuse. Together we rebuilt and restored their lives.
With counselling and education, healing began, and
we also directed survivors into to real and meaningful
employment. We will continue to do whatever it
takes for as long as it takes to achieve this.
Many people ask me how we deal with the darkness
of this work. I smile and tell them that when we look
at the desolation that has befallen victims of slavery,
we see only the light we can bring into their broken
lives. Put simply we feel keenly aware of the privilege
that comes with being a part of such positive,
transformational work.
Kate Kennedy
Chief Executive Officer
Hagar Australia
Photographs taken by David Belluz and
Jeff Holt.©of Hagar International 2012.

At Hagar, we restore
the lives of women and
children in Afghanistan,
Cambodia and Vietnam
that have been devastated
by human rights abuses.
We do it because we believe. In possibility. In the greatest of human
potential. In a redeeming God who deeply cares. That lives were
created with intention and purpose. And that they can become
strong and whole once again.
There is something beautiful about the human spirit. About seeing an individual who once was broken,
who stood against the worst of adversity, in the darkest of human conditions, who can now stand tall.
Hagar’s work is months and years of patient, painstaking, hopefilled
dedication to the individual. In 2011-2012, we walked with 1,100
women, girls and boys in Afghanistan, Cambodia and Vietnam on
their recovery journeys.
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Because that’s what it takes to restore broken lives to wholeness,
and that is the whole reason of Hagar.
Hagar Australia proudly partners with World Relief Australia (Project
code 0914) for its support of programmes in Cambodia. These
projects include trauma counselling, legal support, career pathways,
and catch up schooling. Hagar Australia is working towards
the legal requirements to support programme work in Afghanistan
and Vietnam where human rights abuse and modern slavery have
devastating consequences.
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CAMBODIA
As is the case in
every country where
Hagar works, staff
members are guided
by the story of Hagar,
asking, “Who has been
cast out? Who is without
hope? Whose cries
are not being heard?”
It has been 20 years since Cambodia’s first democratic elections after the Khmer Rouge regime, and the
country is experiencing the growing pains of change. But while the capital city, Phnom Penh, increases in
size and wealth, much of rural Cambodia is gripped by the ongoing struggle with devastating poverty.
Education rates are low, and there are not enough
jobs to meet the needs of a burgeoning population.
Human trafficking and gender-based violence are
prevalent in Cambodia.
One-quarter of married women have experienced
violence in the home and the trafficking of women,
girls, and boys for labour and sexual exploitation is
common. Individuals with intellectual disabilities are
also particularly vulnerable and often face stigma,
discrimination and abuse.
Too many women and children continue to be abused,
exploited and rejected. Hagar in Cambodia commits
to walking the journey with them to wholeness.
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PROTECTION
At Hagar, our purpose is
singular—to restore broken lives.
We welcome the toughest of
Clients are provided safety from
physical harm or injury, access to
legal support and assistance and
their personal capacity to physically
protect themselves is strengthened.
Personal
Well-Being
Clients develop internal strength and
resilience through activities that foster
mental, physical and emotional health.
Clients cultivate the ability to “bounce
back”, or even grow in the face of
adversity, trauma, or tragedy.
human conditions, stay focused
on the individual and do whatever
it takes for as long as it takes to
restore life in all its fullness.
Empowered women and children
living life in all its fullness
Protection
Personal
Well-
Being WHOLENESS
Economic
Empowerment
Social
Capital
Each woman and child who comes to Hagar will
walk this journey. Wholeness involves protection,
personal well-being, economic empowerment and
social capital/integration. This model keeps the whole
person central and holds Hagar accountable to the
holistic recovery and dignity of each individual.
Clients increase their power over economic
decisions that influence their lives and enable
greater freedom and choice of action. Clients
become financially independent and able to
take care of themselves and their families.
Economic Empowerment
Social
Capital
Clients build healthy connections and
relationships with their families, friends
and social networks. This in turn increases
community engagement and enables
clients to successfully integrate into the
community of their choice.
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Protection | Roshana’s Story (Afghanistan)
Two years ago, Roshana came to Hagar. Her legs and
back were bruised with welts and burns. She could hardly
tell her story through sobs of pain.
When her family found materials for studying English in her room, they locked her in the
bathroom. She was imprisoned in her own home, cut off from the outside world. Viciously
beaten and burned with an iron to get information, they threatened to pull out her toe nails
until she confessed. Her family warned they would kill her and the person who gave her
the materials if they ever found out who it was.
The abuse became even worse when
Roshana’s family found a picture of
her boyfriend. They accused her of
being a prostitute and promised they
would find and kill her boyfriend.
After months of violence and abuse,
Roshana threatened to kill herself if
the imprisonment and pain did not
end. Her sister had mercy and when
no one was at home, she helped
Roshana escape. With nowhere to
go, she was terrified and alone. That’s
when Hagar met her.
Roshana found love and safety at
Hagar, but her freedom was still extremely
limited. Her family is powerful
and connected. And with no identification
card or passport, Roshana’s
movement was restricted. The threat
of death was very real. She told lies
to everyone. She kept all personal
information hidden deep inside. Why?
Because for a girl like her in Afghanistan,
it can and will get you killed.
“No one can help me, it’s
hopeless,” Roshana has
said to Hagar staff. “I am in
the problem.”
As months turned into years, Roshana
feels her dreams slowly dying. She is
tired of letting life pass her by, stuck
inside four walls with nothing to keep
her intelligent mind busy. “No one can
help me, it’s hopeless,”
Roshana has said to Hagar staff.
“I am in the problem.”
At Hagar we never give up even
when clients lose hope. Roshana
has found solutions for some of her
problems and is now again full of
hope. She is starting to pursue a
whole life and she knows she can
count on Hagar to be a competent
and faithful advocate through her
whole journey. Hagar continues to
walk with Roshana, providing her
with a listening ear, shared laughter
and encouragement that at Hagar
we never give up. Roshana is assured
that we are advocating on her
behalf and will be here to provide
ongoing care and follow-up. And the
whole reason we do this, is so that
one day, Roshana might experience
life in all its fullness.
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Protection
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Betrayal. Abuse. Exploitation.
Every woman and child who comes to Hagar has faced remarkable challenges. They’ve
been tricked and manipulated. Their rights have been violated. They’ve existed on the
outskirts of society. For each, feeling safe and secure
is critical to the recovery process.
Protection restores a client’s most
basic dignity and creates a foundation
for recovery to take place.
It is helping each person pursue
justice. It is countless meetings
with governments and partner
organisations to develop a framework
for the recovery of women
and children. It is securing identity
cards and birth certificates for
those without. It is training police
and civil society how to work with
victims of trafficking and abuse. It
is emergency shelter for women
and children. It is teaching clients
their rights and going with them
to court.
Hagar’s commitment to protection
supports each individual in regaining
their most basic human rights
so that the journey towards wholeness
might begin.
.
Highlights:
• 184 clients from Afghanistan,
Cambodia and Vietnam were
provided safe shelter.
• 200 hours of legal counselLing
and assistance were provided
to 38 clients in afghanistan
and cambodia.
• over 600 hours of support
in capacity building of local
and national authorities was
provided in afghanistan,
cambodia and vietnam.
I believe that the closer one
“gets to the darkness, the
closer one gets to the light.
There is a strange hope in
being able to openly confront
the reality of the deep suffering,
abuse and exploitation in this
world, and knowing that there is
something that I can do to help. It
can be a very healing and inspiring
journey, not only for the clients but
”
for all of us involved.
—Agnes Lam, Country Representative, Vietnam

PERSONAL WELL-BEING | Thuy’s Story (Vietnam)
But what was worse was when my parents would yell at me. Or hit me. Or they would dip my
clothes in pig manure because I wanted to take a school exam. That hurt a lot. Because eating
pig slop is nothing really, lots of people eat worse things. What’s worse is my parents treated
me like a pig—like an animal—for years.
“
My parents used to make me eat pig
slop. You might wonder what pig slop
tastes like, but it’s not as bad as it
sounds. To be honest, I got used to it.”
Growing up like this, I lost what it
means to be normal. I spent days in
isolation. I dropped out of school. I never
spoke. I was lonely. I was terrified.
I was desperate.
One day, I ran away. I went to a shelter.
I met some people from Hagar. For the
first time in years, I spoke. I spoke so
softly, I didn’t know if they could hear
me. I remember I almost cried, but I
kept my wall up. For months, I refused
to feel happiness or sadness or anything
in-between. I knew if I showed
this side of me, I’d be vulnerable. I
didn’t want that. I didn’t think I could
trust another person again.
But I was wrong.
Now I have many friends. They are
learning to be bakers, like me. We
laugh a lot, cry sometimes and we heal
together. It feels good. A few months
ago, I won a scholarship for being top
of my class in baking. That was the
happiest moment in my life. When my
friends and teachers all congratulated
me, I felt human. I felt hope. I felt like me.
“Now I have many friends.
They are learning to be
bakers, like me.”
I feel stronger now. My relationships are
better. And I also have goals to develop
my career in the future to have a small
baking business of my own.
I haven’t talked to my parents since
I ran away. They haven’t tried to
contact me either, but that’s ok. We’ll
meet someday when I’m ready for
it—when I’m a successful, strong, and
independent woman.
Thuy arrived at Hagar after suffering
years of torment and physical and
emotional abuse at the hands of
her parents. She attended Hagar’s
personal development training and
then Hagar helped Thuy find her
first job with Joma Bakery Café.
Today, Thuy has a stable income and
is supporting herself with dignity. She
continues to receive follow-up support
from Hagar staff and counsellors.
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PERSONAL WELL-BEING
Strength. Confidence. Self-awareness.
This is Hagar’s dream for each client. The commitment to each individual’s well-being. It is
being there for the little and big moments, because becoming whole is unique for each
woman and child.
Personal well-being means hours
upon hours of post-trauma counselling.
It is house mothers on call 24 hours
a day. It is hundreds of vaccinations
and medical checks and referrals to
hospitals for special procedures and
surgeries. It is listening to the stories
of pain, and going deep into the
darkness. It is art therapy and dance
and sport that help each woman
and child discover their value and
self worth. It is learning how to build
healthy relationships.
people see scars, and
“Some
it is wounding they remember.
To me, they are proof of the fact
that there is healing.
”
—Linda Hogan, Author
Highlights:
• Over 3,000 hours of
counselLing were provided
to 360 clients in Afghanistan,
Cambodia and Vietnam.
• Over 512 hours of creative
arts therapy were used
in Vietnam.
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ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT | Nath’s Story (CAMBODIA)
Her husband, an alcoholic, often beat and abused her. They wandered the streets homeless.
That’s where Nath gave birth to her daughter. But when her husband died suddenly, Nath
was completely destitute and alone. That’s when she came to Hagar, where she began her
journey to wholeness.
Nath was one of the first women who came
to Hagar in Cambodia seeking refuge.
She learned to sew and began working
for Hagar’s social enterprise,
Hagar Design.
“I am very happy that I can
achieve my dreams. Now
I have my own business. I
have many customers. And
my daughter also makes
me very proud. She is smart
and diligent. Today, she is
also working and independent.
I am very thankful to
the training I received from
Hagar. Without it, I would
not be who I am today.”
She was a quick learner and caught
on fast to the new techniques. After
a year of support and care at the
shelter, Nath integrated into the
community. That was 15 years ago.
Since then, she has steadily progressed
in her career. For 10 years,
she worked as sewing staff for Hagar
Design. Later, she trained young
sewing apprentices through Hagar’s
Career Pathways Programme and
then became a Career Pathways
Student Advisor.
Most recently, Nath followed-up with
Career Pathways students in their
apprenticeships.
Now, Nath is using the skills and experience
she gathered over the past
10 years and is setting out on her own
as a small business owner.
Her tailoring shop is a hub of activity
bustling with customers.
Today, Nath, is strong and independent
and able to give her family
a different future. Her daughter
finished high school and is now in
university. “My daughter also makes
me very proud. She is smart and
diligent.”
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ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT
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Most women and children come to Hagar with little or no formal education or career training.
But we know that given the opportunity, each client can achieve their fullest potential.
Economic empowerment is practical
for our clients. It is “catch-up” schooling
and early childhood development
for children. It is literacy classes and
job-ready soft skills for women.
It is on-the-job training and career
counselling and finding that first job.
It is partnering with local organisations,
businesses and enterprise partners
to give each client the tools and the
opportunities to make their own way.
It is each woman and child being able
to provide for themselves with dignity
and to contribute back to society..
Highlights:
• Over 500 hours of career
counseLling were provided to 216
clients in Cambodia and Vietnam.
• 231 students received Catch-up
education in cambodia.
• 86 clients with intellectual
disabilities participated in
integrated education in cambodia.
• 190 clients in cambodia and Vietnam
received work readiness and
on-the-job training, as well as
employment placements.
“
Everybody in the village is very proud of me, I have
done this all by myself. Because I have a good job,
and have been able to open my own business, I
have much more confidence and know that I can
do even better.
”
—Sothea, Cambodia

SOCIAL CAPITAL/INTEGRATION | ChHIVORN’s Story (CAMBODIA)
Chhivorn never got along with his mom and step dad—that’s why he slept on the streets.
The foreigner found him there and invited him to stay with him and a few other boys. It
had to be better than the streets, Chhivorn thought.
“
I don’t want this man
to harm any other child.
I am NOT afraid.
.”
—Chhivorn, Cambodia
Over the next few months, Chhivorn
suffered unimaginable abuse.
“I want to stand up for all
other children and let them
know that it is not right for
them to be hurt and abused
like I have been. I don’t
want this man to harm any
other child. I am NOT afraid.”
You could see it in his face when he
arrived at Hagar. He couldn’t make
eye contact with anyone. He kept to
himself. When he did interact with
others, he lashed out at staff and
bullied other kids.
It took months for Chhivorn to feel
safe. As staff helped him prepare to
testify in court, they noticed changes—
small at first. He trusted people more
and he started to have hope.
This confidence has driven Chhivorn
to reconnect with his mom. Slowly,
their fractured relationship is healing
and it is Chhivorn’s first steps in
his journey home. As he rebuilds his
relationship with his family, and the
pain of his past becomes his voice
for the future, Chhivorn gains the
social capital he’ll need for integration
to be successful. Hagar will be
there every step of the way.
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SOCIAL CAPITAL/INTEGRATION
The process of integration is complex. But living in and contributing to a community is so
important for women and children in their journey towards wholeness.
Developing the social capital of
clients so that safe and successful
integration is possible might mean
reconciling with and reconnecting
with family. Or, it could be finding
a loving home in the care of foster
parents. It means working with
families and friends, churches and
communities to create a safe and
supportive environment for
women and children to go home.
The chance to live happily among
loved ones is part of the journey
towards wholeness for each woman
and child.
Highlights:
• Having spent an average of
2 years in Hagar care, 113 women
in Cambodia and vietnam were
integrated into their communities.
• 79 students integrated into
mainstream schools in cambodia.
For me, the whole journey means moving with a client from minus 10
“
to plus 10. Our women and children come to us at minus 10. Everything
has gone wrong. They feel terrible and there’s no hope. It’s
a long way back to zero—just dealing with all the negative things
in their lives. But the whole journey means they leave at plus 10—
when they are confident about themselves. They live life in all
its fullness. They contribute to their families. They are not just
one of the community, but are investing in
—Sue Hanna, Client Well-Being
it.” Operations Manager, Cambodia
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• 103 children in cambodia found
family and community with
local foster families.

SOCIAL ENTERPRISE
Twelve years ago, Phannary came to Hagar. She and her
family were destitute with little hope for the future.
Phannary trained as a cook with Hagar Catering and then started working
for the business. After three years she was promoted as a supervisor.
“My manager trusted me and saw me growing,” she says. Phannary
now supervises 17 staff members, is proud of her work and is supporting
all of her children through school.
“
Now I have a plan for a better life. Now I can give
everything to my children – like other mothers. I
never would have believed that I could have what
I have now. Before, I lived outside of society. But
with my good job, I live my life inside of society.
”
—Sothea, Cambodia
Hagar partners with professional organisations and businesses who share our commitment to lasting change, and
to seeing women and young people achieve their potential. Hagar’s business investments and enterprise partners
provide quality on-the-job training, employment placements in a supportive and professional environment and career
progression for clients from Hagar.
Hagar Catering & Facilities
Management
Total Revenue:
1.63 million USD (audited)
Hagar clients employed: 56, 31%
Joma Bakery Cafe
Total Revenue:
2.67 million USD
Hagar clients employed: 14, 13%
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Financial Information
Hagar International
Total Income: $4,022,781
Government: $447,733
Social Enterprise Partners: $665,731
Corporation: $159,156
Foundation/Organisation: $1,350,139
Church: $372,953
Individual: $948,667
Other: $78,402
Hagar Australia
Total Income: $490,593
Government: AusAid in country only
Social Enterprise Partners: $0
Corporation: $42,990
Foundation/Organisation: $25,108
Church: $71,392
Individual: $320,124
Other: $30,979
Our Board
Name Occupation Position Length of Service
Richard Affleck Company Director Chairman 7 years
Harvey Collins Company Director Board Director 7 years
Sarah Bearup Country Director,
Board Director 1 year
Hagar Cambodia
Anthony Lamberto Chartered Accountant Treasurer 7 years
Michael Allen Stockbroker Board Director 3 years
Bryce Houghton Public Company Chief Financial Officer Board Director 2 years
Melanie Gow Chief of Staff and Strategy, World Vision
Australia
Board Director Under 1 year
Dale Renner Solicitor, Business Board Director Under 1 year
Total Expenditures: $3,612,510
Programme Services: $3,076,704
Management and General: $223,134
fundraising: $312,672
All Hagar International financial information reflects 2011
calendar year figures
Total Expenditures: $387,616
Programme Services: $290,140
Management and General: $46,226
fundraising: $51,250
Income received by several Australian based funders, including AusAID,
are not recorded in the Australian figures.
Hagar Australia’s full 2011-2012 financial report and audited financial report conducted by Moore Stephens are
available upon request. For copies, please contact admin@hagar.org.
Acknowledgements
Hagar is a not-for-profit organization that exists to partner and advocate to transform the lives of survivors of modern
day slavery and severe human rights abuse. All donations will be used to further the organisation’s purpose and
vision and will not be used to promote a particular religious adherence or to support a political party or candidate.
Donations to Hagar Australia Inc ABN 92 126 318 442 are tax deductible.
Hagar Australia proudly partners with World Relief Australia Overseas Aid Fund (Project code: 0914)
To lodge a complaint with Hagar Australia, please contact Kate Kennedy at kate.kennedy@hagar.org.au. To lodge a
complaint for a breach against the ACFID Code of Conduct, please contact the Code of Conduct Management
Team at ACFID.
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www.hagar.org.au