CHARLOTTE -- A human trafficking survivor living and working in Charlotte is back from Washington D.C. after seeing Pope Francis.
On Friday, we caught up with Antonia “Neet” Childs to talk about her experience. We first reported her story a couple weeks ago when she found out she was going to see the Pope.
“Amazing. Amazing. I was just so excited,” Childs said. She said it's a once in a lifetime experience that she won’t forget anytime soon.
“I can't really describe the feeling outside of the excitement and just really honored to kind of be in that setting, and to be that close,” she said.
On Wednesday, thanks to a special invitation from Congressman Robert Pittenger, Childs got to sit just feet away from Pope Francis and President Obama as they addressed the crowd at the White House.
Childs is a human trafficking survivor who now leads a non-profit organization called "Market Your Mind" to help other sex trafficking victims.
Congressman Pittenger said “This lady has her life out on the line for these dear girls who have been exploited in human trafficking. This is the least we can do, to try to bring some honor and hope to her and her work.”
Childs said “That kind of invite was so inspirational and inspirational to my girls because they, now they see that anything is possible.”
Childs said hearing Pope Francis talk about selflessness, kindness and love gave her courage to continue her fight against human trafficking. And she hopes her story will inspire others to take on the same fight.
“I'm more inspired. I'm more motivated. I'm more determined,” she said. “Everybody has that passion, and everybody has something that they can give back to somebody else, whether it's words of encouragement or support, doesn't have to always be financially or anything.”