It is not just at grassroots level that Albanian Christians want to have an impact. The Albanian government is trying to address the issue by curbing the number of speedboats going to Greece and tightening border controls but no matter what barriers are put in place, traffickers change their tactics. They find a way around it; this is big business, involving dangerous people in ruthless gangs, not just from Albania, but also from countries such as Romania, Moldova, Uganda and Nigeria.
Christians are lobbying the government for a representative from the Church to be on the antitrafficking group. Through their involvement and influence in communities, churches are able to alert the government to where and how trafficking is taking place and, in co-operation with them, develop an effective plan to tackle the issue.
And this is not just for Christians in Albania; we in the UK have a role to play.
At the recent Baptist Assembly in Brighton, BMS launched a six-month anti-trafficking campaign called In transit. It aims to demonstrate to the Albanian government the weight of support from UK Christians on stopping the trade in people, and their support for what Albanian Christians are trying to achieve. A campaign postcard has been produced and 10,000 cards were taken by delegates at the Assembly.
Hannah says, 'It's essential that people sign the postcard. I've heard it from the churches in Albania - they need the backing of the worldwide Church. They want to know people care and they need to know they're doing the right thing. By signing it, you're not only signing to get a representative on to the government committee but you're also saying to the churches, 'we endorse what you're doing; we can't be there physically but we're praying for you and supporting you'.'
And Hannah is quick to add that this is not only a problem for Albania, but that it is a real issue for the UK. Girls and women come to UK cities and are forced to work as prostitutes on the streets, in brothels, massage parlours and private homes. She explains, 'We must back people in UK churches who have the heart to support prostitutes and discover why they are there. How can we help these girls get out of being trafficked, out of prostitution and give them the life that they deserve, that Jesus wanted them to have a life in all its fullness not just what they're experiencing now?'
As I spent time with Mary, I realised that despite her desperately sad past, she does have a future hope. She attends Bible studies in jail and has come to know Christ through them. 'I want to have a normal life, not working as I have worked', she says. 'The Bible studies help me to start thinking differently about my life. I learned that I must love God in my heart and that Jesus can change me. I believe that I can change because of him. I would like UK Christians to pray for me and for my life.'
Hannah is greatly encouraged that their work is changing the lives of women like Mary, but recognises this is just the beginning. She says: 'The focus this year on slavery, must not be forgotten come 2008. Christians need to persevere. It takes all the governments and churches around the world to pull together, and recognise God is bigger than us. It's not going to go away in six months, it's here for years, and we need to keep it on our agendas, in our thoughts and in our prayers'.
