In 2023, University of the Ozarks alumna Tyra Nicole Omeir '13 earned the prestigious honor of representing her home country of Nicaragua as a "One Young World - European Commission Peace Ambassador" in the United Kingdom, capping a decade of work as a champion for the underserved and for victims of human trafficking.

The former Walton Scholar at Ozarks received the honor because of the work she has done worldwide over the past decade since graduating from Ozarks. One Young World is the global community for young leaders and its mission is to "create a fair, sustainable future for all, by developing young leaders who are taking action to solve the world's big challenges."

Nicole has spent her career working as an anti-trafficking advocate as well as for several non-profit organizations making a difference in their communities. In 2018, she started Operation Christmas Child, a Christmas box project that provides toys and essentials to impoverished children in her hometown of Bluefields, Nicaragua, as well as other locations in the Americas. She and her friends have given out more than 2,000 Christmas boxes through these efforts. She also has a project in Managua, Nicaragua, working with sexually exploited women and young girls.

At the One Young World event, Nicole was chosen to carry the Nicaraguan flag in front of over 2,000 people from a stage with influential leaders like Meghan Markle, Prince Harry, and Ilia Calderon.

"Attending OYW was one of those life-changing events that I'll always remember, similar to going to University of the Ozarks as a Walton Scholar," she said. "This summit was an incredible and unique opportunity to network and learn from world leaders and other young people making a difference in their communities around the world. I left inspired to lean further into serving vulnerable and marginalized people. One of my favorite quotes during the summit came from Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex. She said to us, during the Opening Ceremony, 'I believe you'll hear that you are the future. But I would like to add to that, that you are also the present. You are the ones driving the positive and necessary change needed across the globe now in this very moment.'"

One of Nicole's passion is helping victims of human trafficking. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), human trafficking is the third most lucrative business for international mafias, surpassed only by drug trafficking and counterfeiting of consumer goods.

"Women who escape trafficking face significant challenges in their recovery process," Nicole said. "Psychological trauma is common, and overcoming emotional aftereffects requires long-term trauma-informed support. Social stigmatization and discrimination, real and perceived, can make it difficult to reintegrate into the community, while health problems, both physical and mental, resulting from sexual, physical, emotional and even spiritual exploitation and abuse, also require specialized care. Additionally, lack of financial resources and job skills are two of the biggest challenges trafficking survivors face. In general, many of them, due to the exploitative conditions created to benefit traffickers and buyers, leave with more debt, more threats of retaliation and less security and trust. Addressing these challenges requires holistic approaches and comprehensive support systems."

Nicole said education and community awareness are keys to protecting women and children from human trafficking and sexual abuse?

"Protecting yourself and others from human trafficking and sexual abuse requires awareness, education and precautions on the part of entire communities," she said. "This includes men, since by being part of the problem, they are also a fundamental part of the solution. The active participation of everyone is essential to create safe environments and prevent these forms of exploitation. It is crucial to educate yourself about the risks and warning signs associated with human trafficking and sexual exploitation. Personal and community awareness is essential. Additionally, it is recommended to share information with friends and family, encouraging open communication. To contribute to the protection of others, it is essential to collaborate with local organizations, participate in awareness campaigns and be alert to possible situations of exploitation. Knowing and spreading the word about available resources, such as helplines and support organizations, can also make a difference in the fight against human trafficking."

One of Nicole's goals is to open a house for vulnerable young children in Nicaragua, while continuing to organize and champion projects that directly impact people in Bluefields and the rest of her country's eastern coastline.

Topics: Alumni Stories