This January, Lift Up the Vulnerable celebrates a monumental milestone — our 20th anniversary. Two decades of empowering and protecting children and women in some of the world’s most devastated warzones. What began in 2005 with a small, dedicated team from Alabama and South Sudan, united by a shared vision to help the most vulnerable children, has blossomed into a global network of over 500 leaders across the US, Kenya, Sudan, and South Sudan.  

This anniversary is more than a celebration — it is a testament to faith, resilience, and a deep commitment to those who are most at risk of exploitation in conflict zones. It is a tribute to our shared journey and to the many lives transformed through your unwavering support. 

As we step into 2025, I am filled with deep gratitude and excitement to kick off a yearlong celebration of this extraordinary journey — 20 years of lives saved, communities transformed, and hope restored. 

A Journey of Faith and Dedication  

This milestone also marks my own 20-year vocational journey, standing alongside some of the most inspiring leaders, like James Lual Atak, our first indigenous partner who helped us lay the foundation of this work. James played a pivotal role in expanding our network to three centers in Sudan and South Sudan.

It has been an honor to work alongside him and countless others, building what is now the only indigenous-led anti-trafficking network in the region. Today, this network is a beacon of hope across Sudan and South Sudan.

Click here to read a reflective blog about our first trip together.

Our Guiding Vision 

From day one, our mission was clear — to prevent human trafficking before it begins. We set out with two key goals in mind:

1. To reach the children and women most vulnerable to trafficking and oppression, and
2. To bring help to places where others would not go due to remoteness, danger, or lack of resources.

This vision led us to the war-torn regions of Sudan and South Sudan — countries ravaged by decades of violence and extreme poverty, where vulnerable people, especially children, are kidnapped as soldiers, sold into sex slavery, or trapped in forced labor.

In these countries, where infrastructure is minimal and poverty is widespread, LUV is not simply filling gaps — we are creating entirely new, sustainable structures to provide holistic care. Our focus is on physical, spiritual, and emotional restoration for those most at risk.

Impact and Transformation  

Thanks to our incredible team and the continued support of partners like you, we have already made an undeniable impact. Today, our leaders in the field have a proven record of success, building partnerships and overcoming challenges in some of the world’s most lawless regions. With your help, we’ve touched the lives of thousands of children and families in three key communities, providing them with protection, education, and economic development opportunities that break the cycle of exploitation.

Read LUV’s Theory of Change.

20 Years of Milestones  

Over the past 20 years, we’ve seen remarkable progress and achieved countless milestones. Yet, we know we are only scratching the surface of what is possible in these communities. In the months ahead, I invite you to join us in celebrating the people who have made this mission possible, the lives that have been changed, and the legacy of hope we’re building together.

A Grateful Future  

As you can imagine, none of this would be possible without compassionate partners — like you. Your generosity has enabled us to carry out this critical and life-giving work in some of the most difficult places on earth. I am profoundly grateful for your ongoing support, and I look forward to celebrating many more years of impact and transformation with you.  

Together, we are building something far greater than any of us could have imagined — a lasting, God-sized mission that continues to touch lives and create change for generations to come.

With deepest gratitude, 

Audrey Moore

Chief Executive Officer