Change | Summer promotion | Preview

A change through a book

I regularly get the question: “How is Bright Fame doing?” Often followed by the question that is actually even more important: “How are the women doing?” My answer is usually the same: many women are not doing well. The earnings are often barely enough to get by. Debts pile up, worries increase, and the prospect of change sometimes seems far away. At the same time, I can say that Bright Fame is doing well. Not because the need is getting smaller, but because we are privileged to be involved with more women and can actually mean something to them.

Since January of this year alone, 24 new women have crossed our path. Every woman with her own story, struggle, dreams, and challenges. For example, there is a woman in her mid-thirties who has been dealing with abuse since she was five. When she was thirteen, she was taken from Romania to Italy to work in prostitution. She suspects her mother sold her to her pimp. Her life was characterized by rejection, violence, prostitution, and especially hopelessness.

Just before Christmas, she called me asking if she could visit in January. Since that first meeting, she has not returned behind the window. She regularly comes to the office, has found other work, and is rebuilding her life step by step.

We helped another woman get her son back to the Netherlands after her ex had taken him abroad. She is now working with a coach from our network to start her own business. Her coach is exceptionally enthusiastic about her talents, commitment, and vision. He sees her as a true businesswoman.

A pregnant woman also came to us for help. She is looking forward to motherhood and is taking steps toward a more stable future. The person who put her in touch with us will take Dutch language lessons with us to support her better.

On the other hand, there are also the difficult stories. A young woman of 24 years has great difficulty making ends meet financially. Then she was told that her mother has cancer. The costs of the treatment are enormous. As an only child, she feels responsible for helping. We see how the worries weigh increasingly heavily on her and how she slowly sinks into depressive feelings. Yet, sometimes she finds the strength to come by our office.

Two women wanted to stop prostitution. Because they live in the Hague region, we were able to refer them to Stichting De Haven, so they can receive appropriate guidance there.

And then there are also the women who, after a period outside of prostitution, have returned behind the window. Not because they wanted to, but because debts in their home country were increasing, because their children needed care, and because the financial pressure simply became too great. Now they are discovering again that debts in Amsterdam often grow even faster than before.

These stories show how complex reality is. Sometimes we see major breakthroughs. Sometimes women take small steps forward. And sometimes it seems as if steps are being taken backward. Still, we believe that no step is for nothing.

As Bright Fame, we can say that things are going well because we are allowed to do what God has called us to do: stand by people. Offer practical help. Listen. Bring hope. Let the belief grow that a different life is possible.

We are grateful for everyone who supports this work. Through prayer, involvement, or a financial gift, you help us to remain present in the lives of these women. Together we can make a difference and bring hope where it is often hard to find.

Give a book full of hope this summer, summer campaign

For many people, summer is a time of rest and relaxation. Unfortunately, this is not a given for many women working in the Red Light District. That is why this summer we want to give away Francine Rivers’ book Redeeming Love. This poignant story about unconditional love, hope, and restoration touches many women and shows how great God’s love is.

Would you like to encourage a woman with a book full of hope this summer?

With your donation of €17.50, we can gift a copy of Redeeming Love. A small gesture with lasting impact. The book is available in Dutch, Romanian, Spanish, and Bulgarian. We distribute these books to the women we know love to read; we have seen that this book has a great impact on the lives of women who have read it. It gives a lot to think about. And a great opportunity to talk about it further.

https://brightfame.nl/zomeractie-geef-een-boek

Gratitude & outlook

With grateful hearts, we look back on the first half of this year. First of all, we want to thank everyone who, together with Bright Fame, is committed to the women in the Red Light District in Amsterdam.

Thanks to our volunteers, prayer partners, regular donors, people who support us with a one-off gift, and everyone who thinks along with us, sympathizes with us, and encourages us. Your involvement is invaluable. Thanks to you, we can continue to do what we are called to do.

In the past six months, we have had many special encounters with women working in prostitution. We are privileged to walk alongside them, express hope, and support them on their path to a new perspective. That remains a privilege.

We are also looking ahead. On October 8, we will kick off our new Bright Fame Business Club. We are grateful for entrepreneurs who want to connect their hearts to our mission and make a difference with us.

In addition, we are already fully engaged in preparations for the Bright Fame Friends Day in the winter of 2027. We hope to meet many of you there and share more with you about the work that God is doing through Bright Fame.