The Demopolis High School Anchor Club is collecting usable jackets for orphans in Moldava. The club was visited by two former orphans who have been able to reap better futures through study and perseverance.

“We’re having a jacket drive, trying to collect jackets for an orphanage in Moldova,” said Anchor Club sponsor Syd Boland. “We are asking students to bring their gently-used jackets that they’ve grown out of. We collect them in bags, and the Church Aflame here in Demopolis will be in charge of transporting them over there. They know a lot of people who are involved with them.”

Andrew Cameron of Philip Cameron Ministries spoke with the Anchor Club on Sept. 9 and brought two friends, Natalie Gutium, 18, and Constanza Sacalova, 19, who were orphans in Moldova.

“The primary source of sex slaves come from Moldova,” Cameron said. “Each year, 1,200 girls are put out of the orphan system, and within 24 hours, they are trafficked in countries like Italy, Turkey and Saudi Arabia. They are sold for $3,500 and used up to 30 times a day until they die or they escape.”

Cameron said that Philip Cameron Ministries, started by his father, builds homes called Stella’s House. There are two houses in operation and two being built, with each house taking care of 25 female orphans.

“It’s not just about building houses; it’s about building lives,” he said. “When the Anchor Club does its jacket drive, that helps us.”

Cameron said that as long as the girls stay in school, they can stay at the Stella’s Houses.

“This program is very good, because it has changed my life,” said Gutium. “It put something inside of me that is hard to explain. I was in an orphanage, and now I want to help other kids.”

“I am very thankful to be here,” said Sacalova. “There are many kids in Moldova that do not have gifts. It is my desire to help the orphans because I lived like them. I understand how they feel. I want to help put a smile on their faces.”

Sacaolva is studying to be a hairdresser, but if that doesn’t work out, she said she would like to be a youth pastor at the orphanages. Gutium said she would like to be involved in the Philip Cameron Ministries in Moldova and other countries to help speak out for the orphans.

Those wanting to participate in the jacket drive should contact Boland at Demopolis High School.