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

BOARD MEMBER

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

Vanessa (Nessa) Scheu began serving on medical missionary trips in 2008 while beginning her training to be an RN.  Before long, she was organizing clinics in multiple countries to support ministries and missionaries in place.  Medicine opens many doors, physically demonstrating Christ's love.  As Nessa advanced her career to become a Family Nurse Practitioner, her service expanded to ministering to women and children involved with, or rescued from, human trafficking.  

Nessa has been passionate about Springs of Living Water (SLW) since her first visit to meet Bereket and Wass and the Samaritan House in Addis Ababa.  Since then, Nessa and her husband have returned together, offering medical assistance and support. By holding fundraising and educational events, they now support SLW and four other Christ-centered, Jesus-loving international ministries involved in the rescue and healing of survivors of human trafficking.