"With gratitude and a deep sense of responsibility, I take on the role of Regional Representative of Talitha Kum for Latin America and the Caribbean. I am grateful for the trust placed in me to continue this shared mission in the service of human dignity, especially for those most vulnerable to trafficking and exploitation.

I express my sincere gratitude to Sister Carmen Ugarte García, OSR, whom I am succeeding in this position, for her valuable leadership and commitment. Her service has contributed significantly to strengthening the Talitha Kum network in the region, and I accept this responsibility with respect for the progress made and a commitment to strengthening the region moving forward.

As Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, we have been publicly committed to combating human trafficking since 2004. This commitment led us to join Red Kawsay Peru since its creation in 2009. I personally joined this network in 2016 and currently serve as National Coordinator, an experience that has strengthened my conviction in the value of networking and collective action.

Latin America and the Caribbean face complex structural challenges, such as poverty, violence, organized crime, climate change, and forced migration, which increase the vulnerability of many people. In this context, I recognize with hope the resilience and commitment present across the region through its 14 national networks, together with the Sisters,  as well as the valuable participation of young leaders and lay collaborators who continue to build paths of prevention, protection, and solidarity.

Talitha Kum, as an international network, invites us to walk together, strengthening comprehensive responses that articulate prevention, protection, advocacy, and accompaniment, through collaboration, listening, and mutual learning between regions.

My commitment as Regional Representative is to listen, articulate, and strengthen existing processes in different countries, promoting the exchange of experiences, local leadership, and a shared vision that responds to the challenges of our region.

I look to the future with hope and with the certainty that, by working together as a network in a synodal way, we can continue to build responses that promote freedom, justice, and dignity for all.

I am grateful to the Talitha Kum International Coordinating Committee led by Sr. Abby Avelino, MM, to the UISG, and to my own congregation for the trust and encouragement I received in taking on this new role.

I place this service in God's hands and renew my commitment to continue working, together with the Talitha Kum network, for a world free of human trafficking."

Sr. Ana María Vilca Mamani, SNJM