Sam Haupt was working with an international mission organization about 10 years ago when the Syrian refugee crisis began. It became alarmingly clear how vulnerable young girls were to human trafficking. Thousands of girls disappeared in a very short period of time, many trafficked under the guise of match-making companies.
Yet in Georgia, Sam initially believed this was a faraway problem. Then a friend posed a pointed question: "What are you doing about trafficking here in Georgia?"
"I thought human trafficking was an overseas issue," Sam said, "but when I saw the statistics in Georgia, I realized it was happening right in my backyard. That's when I knew I couldn't just stand by and do nothing."
Driven by a deep sense of purpose, and the love for his own daughters, Sam formed a team to assess what was being done locally and where there were gaps in services. Drawing on his own personal struggles with PTSD from his time in Haiti after the 2010 earthquake, he recognized the importance of creating a healing space that incorporated nature and animals. This vision led to the creation of Sacred Roots Farm; a 26-acre sanctuary located in Northeast Georgia.
At Sacred Roots, survivors of trafficking have a safe space to heal. The first therapy offered is done with horses as the women learn to calm themselves through working with the animals. Horses, goats, chickens, and the open land provide the peace and solitude needed to begin the difficult healing process. The farm must wait at least two weeks after the women are freed — sometimes longer — to allow time for the women to begin their personal healing process. Over time, Sacred Roots partners with counselors and volunteers to support each woman's individual journey.
With a mission rooted in Christian faith, Sacred Roots Farm aims to not only provide therapy but also to restore a sense of dignity, hope, and purpose in the lives of survivors. The farm is more than just a recovery center; it's a community. Volunteers play a critical role, ranging from clinical psychologists to those sharing their own stories of recovery and healing.
"We can't save the world, but we can make a difference, one life at a time," said Sam, adding that 2025's goal is to increase the number of women helped by Sacred Roots Farms. "We're a community of people who choose to do something rather than nothing. And sometimes, that small act of 'something' is all it takes to change a life."
If you would like to donate to or volunteer with Sacred Roots Farm, please visit www.sacredrootsfarm.org.
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About Cingo: The name Cingo means to surround and secure, conveying the company's commitment to home protection. The company has been protecting families in the Southeast since 1974. It provides home protection services throughout Georgia and South Carolina, including Atlanta, Augusta, Charleston, Douglas, Dublin, Milledgeville, Savannah, Vidalia, Waycross and all points in between. Cingo was named a Best Place to Work in Georgia by Georgia Trend Magazine and listed as a National Best & Brightest Company to Work For. Learn more at www.cingohome.com.