Opportunities to Get Involved

Books & Resources, Partner Organization News — Emily on May 25, 2010 at 10:43 pm

I’ve come across several opportunities to get involved with some great organizations.  First, you can join IJM as a Freedom Partner.  That part is not new.  However, the first 350 new partners will have their giving doubled.  That’s a great way to make your money go further!

If you have a little bit more time, consider going overseas with Not For Sale to learn more about their work around the world.
GO abroad with NFS

This Summer Not For Sale & our friends at Global Exchange invite you to join us on one of four delegations to Asia, Africa, or Latin America.

These educational journeys enable you to understand the causes of human trafficking, meet with survivors building lives free from slavery, and engage with those who are fighting human trafficking on the front lines.

Are you impassioned about ending modern-day slavery, and eager to see the solutions from the front lines? Then join us for one of these once-in-a-lifetime experiences!

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Discovering Uganda means exploring a quintessential example of the complex and unique tasks facing post-colonial African states. The development of this East African nation is beset with complex issues that make it an exceptional case study within the East African community and the larger narrative of post-colonial Africa. The civil war in the northern region has raised critical global issues surrounding human rights, child abduction, and the reconciliation of peace and justice on the international and domestic stage. Join us as we learn about the struggles, successes and identities of Uganda, through the eyes of the people and organizations that are working on the rehabilitation and psychological recovery of child soldiers.
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When one thinks of Peru, images of Machu Picchu and Incan history come to mind. Rarely one think about the people on Peru’s social periphery. In a n effort to expose human rights issues within the country our delegation to Peru explores human trafficking and the current social and economic realities affecting marginalized populations. Street children are often found in vulnerable situations, stigmatized and sidelined by the greater population. As a creative strategy towards social reintegration Not For Sale has launched a dynamic program for street children that focuses on surfing as a meaningful practice that brings physical, psychological, spiritual benefits and empowers Peruvian youth. Delegates will also visit a safe house where Not For Sale provides full-time care for children, where kids attend school, practice various sports and arts and are offered a safe and healthy home where they can rebuild their lives.
cambodia
thailand
These delegations to Cambodia and Thailand explore the realities of human trafficking in South East Asia. The delegations will provide a comprehensive education in the dynamics of human trafficking, as well as an understanding of its underlying causes. Delegates will meet with those who have been freed from sexual slavery and learn what it means to rebuild one’s life after having been a victim of trafficking. They will also engage groups and individuals on the frontlines of the struggle to expose and ultimately end the trade in human lives. We will visit vulnerable communities targeted by traffickers, learn effective strategies for undermining slave rings, and experience first hand how victims rebuild their lives.
Attend a nfs

There is still time to sign up for the Not For Sale Summer Academies! Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to be trained by the finest leaders in law-enforcement, aftercare, and the modern Abolitionist movement.

You’ll leave equipped, networked, and empowered to work against human trafficking and slavery. What better way to spend a week or two of your Summer?

Fighting spreads in Thailand

Partner Organization News — Emily on May 19, 2010 at 1:41 pm

As you may have seen in the news, the fighting in Bangkok has worsened and spread to many other parts of Thailand.  Below is a letter from the leader of Nightlight in Bangkok with an update on their safety and prayer requests.  Nightlight is where the majority of the jewelry on Stop Traffick Fashion comes from.

NightLight
May 19th, 2010
Dear Emily,

I woke up this morning to the sound of helicopters and explosions. I’ve been wanting to write an update on the situation in Bangkok for days. The situation changes so fast that what I write is quickly outdated. Those who follow me on Facebook have been reading moment by moment events and personal feelings and that has been easier to do than to write an update. I will try soon to get out a more comprehensive report but I want to get something out quickly so everyone knows we are safe and how to pray.

(more…)

Child Traffickers Sentenced in Kolkata

Partner Organization News, Trafficking News & Information — Emily on May 11, 2010 at 9:00 am
International Justice Mission

Breaking News Update
Location: Kolkata, India
Date: Monday, May 3, 2010
Result: Three perpetrators sentenced for trafficking young girls

Dear Emily,

This Monday, after years of IJM Kolkata’s relentless advocacy, two men and one woman were sentenced to 10 years in prison for trafficking young girls for sex, following their convictions for the crime on Friday, April 30.

The perpetrators were arrested in 2007 after attempting to sell three girls, ages 12, 14 and 16, to IJM undercover investigators. Convictions and sentences for sex trafficking have been rare in Kolkata — but because of the commitment of IJM supporters and frontline staff, and the partnership of the local government, change is coming to the city.

20100506 - Breaking News - Kolkata

The three survivors abused by these perpetrators (including the IJM client pictured above) bravely took the stand during the court case and are each now healing in loving aftercare homes.

“Not only does the conviction of these perpetrators bring justice to the lives of their victims but it brings protection to the many more girls they will be unable to abuse because they have faced just consequences,” explains IJM Director of Operations for South Asia Blair Burns.

Thank you for joining with IJM to seek justice and combat violent oppression. This is just one example of the victories made possible by this movement of friends, advocates and supporters around the world.

Gratefully,
EMAIL - Signature - LHayes - Tan
Laurie Hayes
Director of Development

P.S. Visit IJM.org to learn about other recent convictions and rescues.

Help Hagar Build a New Playground

Partner Organization News — Emily on May 6, 2010 at 1:13 am

If you’re looking for a good vehicle to get involved, why not set up your own fund-raising page to help Hagar build a new playground in Cambodia?  You can create a personalized page, educate and inform your friends and ask them to help you contribute and make a difference to the children in Hagar’s program.  You can read more about their program below and watch this video on their program. (more…)

The Project at OSU

Events, Partner Organization News, STF News — Emily on May 5, 2010 at 12:09 am

Stop Traffick Fashion is partnering with a new student organization at Ohio State called The Project.

The Project is a new official organization at The Ohio State University that is proud to present its first Kick-Off event!
We invite all Faculty, Staff and Students to our Kick-Off Event on May 15th from 3:00-5:00pm at the Union in the Lower Level Meeting Room.


It is The Project to Alleviate Human Trafficking Through Entrepreneurship, which is a partnership between Gracehaven and Stop Traffick Fashion. The Kick-Off event will be a Fashion Show and Sale to bring awareness and action against Human Trafficking.  Gracehaven and Stop Traffick Fashion will speak about the problem of Human Trafficking and their own missions to positively address this substantial global issue.
The Project is the “student ambassador program” for Stop Traffick Fashion. The Project will sell STF’s merchandise, and additionally, the sales will have a local impact by having 20% of all sales go directly to Gracehaven. The Kick-Off event will be followed by smaller Trunk Shows.  Come out to the Kick-Off event to learn more!

Questions? Contact: Megan Colgan at colgan.megan@gmail.com
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T-shirt Launch & Benefit Concert photos are now online!

If you missed our fabulous T-shirt Launch & Benefit concert, you can now see the photos on our Facebook page!  It was a fun night filled with awesome music from Kristen Budde, Laura Hellebusch, Flaregun and Artists & Aughors.  There was also great live painting done by Arian and Daniel Armstrong and a poetic reading by Melissa Hill.  Plus, we raised money for Hagar International.  Hagar International helps empower survivors of trafficking and other violent domestic abuse in Cambodia, Vietnam and Afghanistan.  The money we raised will make a difference in helping them provide long term care and rehabilitation to restore their clients to life in all it’s fullest.  We hope to make this an annual event so stay tuned for the details of next year’s event.

If you happen to have missed all our posts about our new fair trade, organic cotton T-shirts made by survivors in Kolkata, India then be sure to check them out on our website.  Your purchase of a Freeset Tee from Stop Traffick Fashion helps continue a journey of freedom. In Kolkata, India, thousands of women are trapped in prostitution, forced there by poverty. The Freeset women have chosen freedom by learning new skills at the Freeset business. Their new lives include fair wages, health benefits, pension funds, literacy classes and daycare for their children. More importantly, they are no longer forced to sell their bodies and their children have new opportunities. The T-shirt was created by Freeset women for you.  Join their journey of freedom.

News from Thailand

Partner Organization News, Product Information — Emily on April 13, 2010 at 4:04 pm

If you have been watching the news, you may know that on April 10th over 800 people were injured and 21 were killed when protesters in Bangkok, Thailand collided with the police.  The Nightlight & Wonderfully Made Jewelry we sell is hand made in Bangkok in an area that is still occupied by protesters.  We received an email update from Annie Dieselberg of Nightlight reporting that everyone from their organization is safe and that the women are currently at home to be with their families.  You can see her photo journal of the event here.  Please continue to keep the women of Nightlight and the people of Thailand in your thoughts and prayers.

In more positive news from Nighlight they have recently accepted 10 new girls into the program!  You can support these women and continue to help Nightlight grow by purchasing some of their jewelry.  By the way, Mother’s Day is coming up!  What a perfect way to become part of their story of hope and help raise awareness about trafficking around the world.

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Hagar International Annual Report

Partner Organization News, Survivor Stories — Emily on April 7, 2010 at 3:37 pm

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If you have a few minutes, we suggest you read the Hagar International annual report.  It’s full of great stories of hope and transformation!  You can continue to support the women of Hagar by donating directly or purchasing their bags.  Remember, the money raised from the T-shirt launch was donated to Hagar and will continue to help them restore broken lives.

T-shirts are now available on-line!

Partner Organization News, Product Information, STF News, Uncategorized — Emily on March 23, 2010 at 8:52 pm

Thanks to everyone who attended our T-shirt launch party and benefit concert on Friday. It was a huge success - we had a great turnout, listened to some great music (by Artists & Authors, Flaregun, Laura Hellebusch and Kristen Budde), watched some fabulous art (by Arian & Daniel Armstrong) be created, and raised money for Hagar International!  Our brand new line of T-shirts is now available online as well.

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Your purchase of a Freeset Tee from Stop Traffick Fashion helps continue a journey of freedom. In Kolkata, India, thousands of women are trapped in prostitution, forced there by poverty. The Freeset women have chosen freedom by learning new skills at the Freeset business. Their new lives include fair wages, health benefits, pension funds, literacy classes and daycare for their children. More importantly, they are no longer forced to sell their bodies and their children have new opportunities. The T-shirt was created by Freeset women for you.  Join their journey of freedom.
Check them out and recommend them to your friends.

A Living Example of Freedom

Partner Organization News, Survivor Stories — Melissa on March 18, 2010 at 11:04 pm

Without a doubt, the most striking thing about Freeset is the women. It’s not the well-designed, eco-friendly products; it’s not the ex-pat staff; it’s not the unique focus and business structure. The women are what sets Freeset apart. They radiate freedom and hope to their community. (more…)

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