Who We Are
What We Do
Hagar is an international organization committed to the recovery, empowerment, and reintegration of women and children who have suffered human rights abuses. In particular, Hagar serves women and children who are victims of domestic violence, human trafficking, and sexual exploitation. Established in Cambodia in 1994, Hagar launched programming in both Afghanistan and Vietnam in 2009.
Over time and in response to pressing societal needs, Hagar has been serving an increasing proportion of human trafficking victims. In 2004, the U.S. State Department named Hagar founder Pierre Tami as one of its six international heroes in the struggle against the modern-day slave trade.
To help women overcome their traumatic pasts and achieve true healing, Hagar provides long-term, individualized services. For women, this includes counseling, literacy education, job readiness skills, and vocational training. Most women experience their first formal work experience in a Hagar business. In Cambodia, 80% of women served are living independently in community, two years after receiving Hagar services.
Children come to Hagar from a variety of backgrounds. Some have been abandoned, some born with disabilities, and others abused by people they loved. The common denominator is that each child has been cast out, and each child needs time to heal. Services include residential care, trauma counseling, and education.
Although each individual's journey is different, each woman and child walks through three critical steps: recovery, building resilience, and reintegration.
The journey is long and the road is challenging. However, just as was true for the historical woman named Hagar, the women and children served learn that they are not hidden, they are not forgotten, and they are no longer silent.
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*Watch Hagar staff explain why they work for Hagar.
