Our Story
The Mission Behind the Movement
We exist because exploitation thrives when communities look away. We equip them to look closer, act faster, and stand alongside survivors as they reclaim their own futures.
Our Mission
To equip communities to prevent trafficking, intervene in the lives of the vulnerable, and walk alongside survivors as they rebuild their futures with dignity.
Our Vision
A world where every individual lives free from exploitation, where communities are equipped to protect the vulnerable and every survivor has the resources to build a future of independence.
Our Values
Dignity over charity. Independence over dependence. Community over isolation. Transparency in every dollar. Respect for every survivor's agency and autonomy.
The Story Behind the Name
Why "Leaving the Jar"?
She arrives at the well alone at midday, the hour when no one else comes. She carries her water jar out of necessity, but it is heavier than it looks. It holds years of shame, isolation, and survival under the weight of a life she didn't choose.
Then something changes. She is truly seen. And when she leaves, she leaves the jar behind.
This moment comes from the Gospel of John, chapter 4: a Samaritan woman whose encounter at a well restored her dignity and set her on a path she never thought possible. For those who know the story, the layers run deep. For those who don't, the truth is simple, one moment of genuine restoration can change everything.
Every survivor we walk alongside carries their own jar. The weight looks different, exploitation, trauma, poverty, shame, but the need is the same: to be truly seen, and to be given the tools to finally put it down for good.
That is our mission. And when you give, you become part of that moment, the moment someone sets the jar down and steps into the fullness of their own rebuilt future. Be Part of Their Story →
Advisory Partnership: Our care and operational frameworks are developed in consultation with the Wellspring Living Training Institute, a nationally recognized leader in trauma-informed care and survivor support programming.
The People Behind the Mission
Our Leadership
Our dedicated team brings decades of experience in global missions, public health, and community development.
Isaac Akladeos
Co-Founder & President
Isaac's missionary work — beginning in Zambia in 2001 — gave rise to the vision that became Leaving the Jar. He brings two decades of community-embedded service across four countries, driven by the conviction that dignity is the foundation of freedom.
Dr. Nancy William
Director of Health & Physical Restoration
A practicing Doctor of Dental Surgery, Dr. Nancy guides our physical restoration initiatives, ensuring survivors receive critical medical and dental care to heal physical trauma and rebuild their confidence.
Manal Moussa
Co-Founder & Vice President
Manal leads the operational expansion of Leaving the Jar's domestic programs, including the Well of Hope Home initiative. Her background in public health programming and HIV prevention across East Africa ensures every program meets the highest standards of care.
Mariz Gobrial
Director of Curriculum & Program Development
Mariz brings specialized expertise in human development and behavioral psychology. With a Master’s from William & Mary, she architects our training programs to foster long-term restoration and dignity for every survivor.
Merit Albaidy
General Counsel & Strategic Advisor
Merit brings over 15 years of corporate legal expertise. An accomplished Senior Counsel and law professor, she architects the legal frameworks that protect our mission and global operations.
Your Trust Matters
Financial Transparency
Every dollar given to Leaving the Jar is accounted for with complete transparency