At Lift Up the Vulnerable (LUV), our mission is to prevent human trafficking of vulnerable children and women and empower them to be changemakers in their communities. While many know the heart of what we do there’s so much more happening behind-the-scenes that makes this mission lasting and unique.

Here are 10 key things that highlight the depth of LUV’s efforts:

1. All programs are 100% indigenous led

LUV’s anti-trafficking programs in Sudan and South Sudan are fully led by local leaders who understand the cultural and community contexts. These leaders are responsible for teaching, protecting, and serving their communities. Supporting indigenous leadership ensures sustainable, locally grounded impact — it also makes LUV’s work very unique!

2. LUV leads the regions ONLY locally led anti-trafficking network

Because of our focus on equipping local leaders, over the past 20 years, we’ve been dedicated to grow the only indigenously directed anti-trafficking network spanning Sudan and South Sudan. In areas where human trafficking is often overlooked, LUV has established a prevention-based model that integrates protection, education, and economic development. With the vision from local leaders, this comprehensive approach helps prevent exploitation before it begins.

3. We reach remote areas others can’t

Because our teams are local and trusted, we’re able to operate in conflict zones and remote areas where few international organizations can safely go. Or when conflict breaks out, many organizations have had to withdraw from the region due to ongoing instability. Instead, LUV remains committed to staying present, even in the most difficult circumstances, providing consistent, life-saving care and support.

4. A holistic approach focused on healing, not just rescue

LUV’s work is designed to address the root causes of exploitation and trauma. Programs include education, safe housing, healthcare, food security, mentorship, leadership development, and economic development tools that help individuals and communities rebuild and thrive.

5. Our schools are more than classrooms

They’re safe havens where children receive trauma-informed education, daily meals, medical care, and mentorship to help them grow into leaders. Right now, over 1,400 students are enrolled in LUV’s schools — each one gaining the tools to thrive and transform their communities.

6. Women’s empowerment is a central focus

Women play a leading role in LUV’s mission from staff serving in protection programs to community members who become entrepreneurs and local leaders to LUV’s top leadership and governance. Empowering women is critical to creating long-term stability and resilience.

7. LUV’s farming projects feed hundreds

Large-scale farming initiatives at our network locations do more than just put food on the table — they create lasting change. At one of our largest school farms in South Sudan, our agriculture project has empowered the campus to cultivate most of its own food, with record harvests year after year. In 2024 alone, 85% of all food consumed at the school and safe house came directly from the farm. This remarkable progress has nearly eliminated malnutrition, with no recurring cases in the past eight months — a testament to both the quality and consistency of the food produced.

8. We operate year-round — even during crisis

Whether it’s war, famine, or flood season, LUV’s locally embedded teams continue to provide care every single day. Our model doesn’t pause when things get hard — it’s built for resilience.

9. LUV emphasizes empowerment over dependency

LUV operates on a model of partnership rather than charity. Programs are intentionally designed to build up local leadership and help communities become self-sustaining through their own capabilities and strengths.

10. Every dollar stretches far

$0.83 of every dollar went to impact a child in Sudan and South Sudan in 2024. LUV keeps costs low and impact high by working through local leadership and minimizing overhead.

Learn more about how you can partner with LUV in this movement of protection, prevention and empowerment.