several years ago, vera lesco started working -- asking about the large number as of albanian girls that were disappearing from their homes. the more she learned about sex trafficking, the more determined she became to help stop it. she found it and an anti trafficking organization called with a hearth -- called the hearth. she offered not only a place to stay, but comprehensive services like legal and medical help, job training, education, and family support. her commitment has come with costs and the dangers. she has been attacked and beaten several times by those people who benefit from the illegal trade of women and girls. she even had to send her daughter to live abroad for her safety. nothing has stopped of europe from continuing to advocate -- stopped vera and continuing to advocate for peace and safety. thank you so much. [applause] just as she was beginning her work in albanian, another woman was starting down the same path on the other side of the world. she created her anti trafficking organization in coast to reach out more than a decade ago. her goal was to help trafficking