Dedicated to showing love and shining a beacon of hope to the forgotten and stigmatised population of sex workers scattered across the greater Durban area, this Women’s Month the non-government organisation (NGO) Expose Hope is on a mission to make a difference and to help those who want to leave the profession.
Established in 2020 and formally registered in 2021, Expose Hope was born after co-founders Vashti Toms and Liza Moroney spent many years visiting sex work hotspots and shelters where they noticed the dire need for a focus on the women deemed unwanted and disposable to society.
To date, the organisation is made up of 10 women from all walks of life who have made it their life mission to offer warmth and unconditional love to at least 300 women across the 40 brothels and lodges that they visit twice a week.
“We visit our ladies weekly to provide a hot meal and other items to go with the intention of showing love to them all. Our mission is to make a difference and help those who want help to leave the industry, but also continue to love those who are not yet ready to leave,” said Moroney.
She added: “The numbers just say it all. The way the ladies are moved around from brothel to brothel is trafficking, they are a cheap commodity that get passed around at the highest price which is just so sad. And then the stories they share with us about how they get treated behind closed doors is just terrible.”
Aside from the weekly visits, the team deals with any emergencies that come up and assist the ladies with hospital visits or clinic appointments, visit smaller groups and have one-on-one chats to offer training and courses together with other organisations as well as assist with repatriation with family and coordinate counselling for the families.
“It’s definitely not for sissies, we visit some very dark places, but we are well known in the area and we are well branded so people know that we are only there to look after the ladies. We also have a Mobi claw panic device and support from Marshall Security,” the co-founder.
Moroney added that though the day after an outreach can be heavy on the heart, the team keeps moving forward for the sake of the dear friends that they have made. She said: “Just spend one night in the van with us on outreach and you will know why we keep going back. It’s the unconditional love that we give and receive from these girls that just keeps us going. It’s the many laughs we have in the van with the team and the ladies. And you know what, it’s the fact that we have made a small impact on someone’s life that if we keep showing up they will one day decide to take the step to get out of the industry.”
Moroney said their ultimate goal is to have a home where the ladies can turn to without judgment for their past. “But for now, we are always looking for donations of clothing, toiletries, make up, costume jewellery, handbags and good quality second hand shoes. With these items we create blessing bags to distribute to our ladies as and when available. Groceries would help as some of the places where the ladies sleep, they are allowed to cook so we like to assist with food and of course condoms,” she added.
All donations can be dropped off at Spade Design Center at 185 Lothian road Durban North or Iconic Lashes at 42 Elderberry drive in Durban North. To support Expose Hope financially visit www.exposehope.net.
