FOUNDER, CEO

Born in Ethiopia, Mamo emigrated to the United States at the age of seven with her family. She received a vision from God to work with women and children who have been exploited and dehumanized. In 2017, she left her home in Maryland to go live in Ethiopia. The vision she received became more clear as she began to journey with those who are victims of human trafficking. In 2018, she founded SLW to galvanize resources to support human trafficking victims in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Mamo is passionate about addressing the root causes of sex-trafficking and poverty and preaching the Word of God. She received her B.A degree in Christian Ministries from Messiah University and has a M.A in International Development from Eastern University in Saint David, PA.

CO-FOUNDER & PROGRAM FIELD DIRECTOR

Wasihun Defar usually goes by Wass and is married to Bereket Mamo. Passionate about the Kingdom of God- especially what the Lord is doing across the world Wass has worked in the mission field since High school and absolutely loves working with college students and young adults who are passionate about making Jesus Christ known across the globe.

Wass has a degree in International Business Management and worked for EVASUE for seven years. EVASUE is an intervarsity fellowship that works with students. Wass met Bereket in 2018 and the two were married in 2021! Ever since meeting Bereket, Wass was compelled by the vision that God had given her to work against human trafficking in Ethiopia. He believes it's a big vision and God's dream for the poorest of the poor to be saved and rescued. With God anything is possible.

Human trafficking in Ethiopia is deeply rooted in poverty and abuse. Many of the girls they have rescued come from the poorest of the poor. Wass is passionate about partnering with God to decrease and end human trafficking because of how evil and dark it really is. Further, he believes that equipping and empowering the local churches to fight against human trafficking is an important first step. Wass would like to thank you for partnering with his family to end humantrafficking in Ethiopia and hopefully across the globe.

CHIEF STRATEGY CONSULTANT

Dr. Anne Friesen has more than 20 years of professional experience in the social justice and human services fields. Anne is committed to helping fuel the engine for social and economic change for survivors of interpersonal violence. For more than 12 years, she served as the Executive Director of Friend to Friend (a non-profit serving victims of Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking) located in Moore County, North Carolina. During her tenure there she led efforts to improve the safety, health & wellbeing of homeless & displaced survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault & human trafficking.

Anne is nationally recognized and award-winning in her fields, and is passionate about improving the lives of survivors. She is committed to an inter-sectional, anti-oppression approach to improving prevention, and victim-focused, trauma-free community response systems for victims of interpersonal violence. Anne is the author of two books, HELP: Holistic Empowerment Leadership Program for Sheltered Victims of Interpersonal Violence; and, The Empowerment Source: 10 Best Practices Principles That Empower Exceptional Advocates; and the research website www.HumanTraffickingNow.com

DESIGN DIRECTOR

Betsey Hansen has retired from teaching after serving students and their families for over 40 years. She continues to have a passion for serving others through her work with non-profit organizations that serve women and children affected by human trafficking.

She feels called to serve Springs of Living Water through prayer teams, organizing fundraising events, and networking to advocate for education and communication about the issue of human trafficking. She has a strong belief that a united community of support will bring healing, restoration, and freedom to those served by Springs of Living Water.

BOARD MEMBER

As a Kingdom Entrepreneur, Persell has helped plant churches, non-profit organizations, and businesses with a social and missional purpose.

Currently, as the founder of House Guys USA, Persell and his team provide affordable housing solutions for families and businesses with the mission to stabilize low-income families and reverse the effects of poverty in Inner-City America.

Additionally, Persell sits on the board of Kingdom Awakening, a missions organization that establishes teams to further the gospel worldwide, and on the board of River Church Family, a local church in Raytown, Missouri.

BOARD MEMBER

The victory, love, and freedom I have had in my life only by my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, compels me to go and be the hands and feet of Him who rescued me.

I have been married for 22 years and blessed with an amazing husband who loves Jesus, five incredible children and an amazing daughter-in-law. They are very close in ages to the young ladies being rescued in Ethiopia. I have been to Ethiopia to meet these precious girls, and no other trip in my life has been more impactful. I felt the love a mother has for her children for each of these young ladies. I consider it the greatest honor to be a servant to this ministry. My college degree or my specialized licenses did not qualify me to be a member of this board. Only the love of Christ flowing through me to go to the ends of the earth and love the hurting, broken, and lost. I am truly honored.

I am currently returning to California this year to support my husband as he pastors a church there. I also hope to make yearly missions trips to SOW to meet each class of women and to lead American Christians to support their brothers and sisters in need in Ethiopia.