During the last 10 years, I have had the privilege of travelling to many destinations throughout the world. Much of this travel has been to the developing world, especially Africa. The photos in Looking for Hope are an insight into the soul of people I've met; people who have touched my life deeply.

Trafficking in human beings is the illegal movement of people, within national or across international borders, to make money by using them for commercial sex, domestic service or manual labour. It exploits their bodies and souls for cash. It's an illegal industry that generates between US$7 and $12 billion annually. It is a global stain - an estimated two million people are trafficked each year across international borders. It affects men, women and children, but around 50 percent of all victims are children.

Two organisations fighting human trafficking and poverty on a world scale are The Salvation Army and Compassion. Both are close to my heart. With the Salvation Army I travel to many developing countries, leading mission teams that help build both morale and spiritual focus.

The Salvation Army helps people in need without discrimination in 111 countries. Currently, I sponsor two boys through Compassion. They both live near Lake Victoria, Kenya. I have visited them three times now, and have also visited Compassion projects throughout India. Compassion is a Christian child development ministry that releases children from spiritual, economic, social and physical poverty and enables them to become responsible, fulfilled adults. Today, Compassion helps more than 770,000 children in more than 25 countries.

Looking for Hope is selling for AUD$15.00 plus postage and handling.

Proceeds from the sale of Looking for Hope will go to The Salvation Army's fight against human trafficking and to Compassion's work to release children from poverty.

Paul Mergard