Human trafficking is an uncomfortable topic to discuss at any age.
But at 15, Jemima Robins isn’t afraid to talk about it.
The Lynnfield High School sophomore learned victims can be as young as 14, they are often runaways or homeless who are separated from their families, and a safe place to stay while they recover from the trauma is essential.
Robins has turned what she’s learned into a way to help.
Two years ago, she was selected by Stephen Ralston, Lynnfield Middle School’s principal, as the district’s Project 351 representative. Named for the number of cities and towns in Massachusetts, one student is chosen annually from each middle school. The program was launched in 2011 when former Gov. Deval Patrick sought to celebrate his second inaugural with a focus on young people helping their communities.
The school-based movement for change, provides eighth graders an opportunity to develop leadership skills and contribute to service organizations. The program promises to unite Massachusetts through youth service and leadership.
So how does a teenager from a tony suburban community know about the topic? The executive director of Amirah Inc. was a member of Robins’ Lynnfield church, Calvary Christian Church. The Woburn nonprofit’s mission is to rescue victims of human trafficking and provide them with a safe home, treatment, and assistance with finding housing, and a job.
“My mom knew the director and when I said I wanted to serve in Project 351, she suggested I work with Amirah,” she said. “I like raising topics, and human trafficking is a big one for me because many people don’t know what it is or they don’t like talking about it.”
The United Nations defines human trafficking as the abduction of persons by force for an improper purpose including forced labor or sexual exploitation. The U.S, Mexico, and the Philippines were ranked as the world’s worst places for human trafficking last year, according to the U.S. Justice Department. There are no official number of human trafficking victims, but estimates place it in the hundreds of thousands.
Robin’s 2017-2018 project consisted of a two-week drive to collect shampoo, paper towels, soap, hair brushes, and toilet paper for Amirah, which operates a safe home for victims. She placed a collection box in every Middle School classroom and at the library. In addition, her mother posted a plea on Facebook.
“Our goal was one item per student or about 670 donations,” said Robins. “But we exceeded that with more than 700 items.”
With her first project completed, Robins was a Project 351 alumna and not ready to quit.
Last year, she organized a food drive for Good Hope, the food pantry housed at the Calvary Christian Church on Grove Street. The nonprofit’s mission is to help the needy on the North Shore and in other countries.
Robins placed collection boxes in the middle school, at the library, and at the church. In two weeks, five giant boxes were filled canned goods, pasta, and rice. She is at it again this year, just in time for Thanksgiving.
“I just like helping people,” she said.
Brian Bates, LHS’s vice president, praised Robins, who plays the flute and the sitar (a stringed instrument from India), as a go-getter.
“She takes initiative in everything she does and these projects are a prime example of her leadership,” he said. “She’s a great kid.”
Robert Cleary, the school’s principal, said “When you get a kid like that, all we do is say yes.”
