Trafficking Survivor Turned Advocate
Once a victim of labor trafficking, Harold D’Souza turned his pain into purpose, teaching the 30 human rights to inspire freedom, resilience and dignity for survivors worldwide.
Harold D’Souza’s life story is a remarkable testament to resilience, courage and the transformative power of human rights education. Born in a small village in India, D’Souza grew up without running water or electricity, in a world of simple joys and childhood mischief. From a young age, his father instilled in him four foundational principles: value, character, education and faith. These principles would guide him through unimaginable challenges later in life.
In 2003, D’Souza came to the United States to pursue the American dream. Instead, he became a victim of labor trafficking and debt bondage, forced to work long hours without pay. Threatened, exploited and deprived of his identification documents, D’Souza lived in constant fear—but he survived. “I didn’t get paid a single penny for 18 months,” he recalls. “My trafficker would point his finger at me and say, ‘Hey, illegal!’ I thought I was a criminal.”
Despite these horrors, D’Souza and his wife persevered. They fought back through legal channels and rebuilt their lives. Their journey inspired D’Souza to co-found Eyes Open International, a nonprofit dedicated to preventing trafficking, educating communities and empowering survivors.
“Every human being in the world will face challenges and obstacles until the last day of their lives,” D’Souza says. “I turned obstacles into opportunities.”
D’Souza’s advocacy is global. He highlights how countries such as Mexico, India, Nepal and Pakistan are often source nations for at-risk communities. He teaches the 30 articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to vulnerable populations using the What Are Human Rights? booklet, along with practical guidance.
“Human rights change you. They have changed me a lot. They have changed the victims a lot.” Through these teachings, D’Souza has helped countless individuals regain freedom and dignity. Among them: an Indian barber trafficked to Cameroon, who now runs his own barbershop in India, and a domestic violence survivor in Ohio, who, empowered by knowledge of her rights, rebuilt her life with safety and independence. D’Souza is creating a global ripple effect of empowered individuals who can now defend themselves.
“These human rights changed my life. They give me energy, power and courage every second, every minute on this planet.”
At the International Human Rights Summit at the United Nations in New York, D’Souza emphasized the power of education and awareness. “Education is power, precaution, protection, prosecution and prosperity,” he told delegates. “If every individual on this planet is educated with these 30 human rights, everyone’s life will change forever.”
He served on the United States Advisory Council on Human Trafficking under two former US Presidents. He now continues advocacy through national and international platforms.
Despite the recognition of his work worldwide, D’Souza remains humble. “I am a common man,” he says. “I failed on four Ps: I failed as a parent. I failed as a provider. I failed as a protector. I failed as a person. But these human rights changed my life. They made me flip the four Ps into passion, purpose, power and prayers. They give me energy, power and courage every second, every minute on this planet.”
Through his journey, D’Souza demonstrates that, even in the darkest circumstances, knowledge, courage and persistence can transform lives. D’Souza’s message to all survivors and advocates is clear: “You should not be scared. There is hope. Be resilient and fight for your freedom.”
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