I’m sure I’m going to be processing everything I’ve learned on my trip to visit Hagar in Cambodia for awhile. What should I do with all of this new knowledge and experience? Maybe you are wondering the same thing. Maybe you’ve read what I’ve written and are interested in doing more. I hope that is the case! If so, here are some ideas for ways to learn more and get involved. If you’re interested in talking more please contact me at hello(at)stoptraffickfashion(dot)com.
- Learn more about the Khmer Rouge and the implications that has for the Cambodian people. It’s unfortunate that Americans don’t have a better understanding of such a recent genocide and it’s affect on the people. You can watch the 1984 movie, The Killing Fields or read one of the many books on the topic such as, First They Killed My Father by Luong Ung.
- Educate yourself about the situation of human trafficking in Cambodia by visiting the Chab Dai website.
- Pray for Cambodia, it’s people, Hagar staff and the staff of other NGOs working here.
- Blog, Facebook or Tweet about Hagar
- Become a fan of Hagar on Facebook, follow them on Twitter, or sign up for their newsletter.
- Host a Dining for Hagar event to tell your friends about Hagar and help raise money.
- Set up an online fundraising page to help raise funds for a new playground at the Hagar Catch Up School in Phnom Penh.
- Become a monthly donor to Hagar. Your monthly gift is extremely important in paying the salaries of Hagar counselors, teachers and other staff that enable the great work Hagar does. Without funding they cannot continue to restore broken lives.
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Dear friend,
Today, the State Department Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (TIP) released its annual Trafficking in Persons Report - a major annual milestone in the fight against modern-day slavery. This report sheds light on the reality of human trafficking and slavery in 175 countries, including - for the first time - the United States. You can read the 2010 TIP Report here.
This summer, you can take action in the fight against modern-day slavery by meeting with one or both of your senators in your home state to share your support for the TIP Office and the Child Protection Compact Act - legislation that will help eradicate child trafficking in selected focus countries. Our team will schedule and coordinate these meetings for you as part of a unified month of action in August 2010 - Take the leap and sign up today! We will train, guide and support you, provide you with talking points, offer trainings by phone before your meeting, schedule for you based on the availability you indicate, and help you connect to other advocates in your area. Your senators care what you think about these issues. Will you join us?
Learn more about the TIP Office and the powerful impact of the TIP Report internationally here.
Thank you for your partnership in this work.
Gratefully,
Eileen Campbell
Director of Justice Campaigns
P.S. Schedule too full for a meeting? Urge your Senators to support the Child Protection Compact Act today though IJM’s Justice Campaigns current Action Alert online.
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A lot of people ask me who designed our logo and website. Well, I’d like to take a few minutes to thank Matt Adams and his awesome team at Factor1 Studios! They have done a fabulous job for us over our first year in developing the branding, designing our website and helping us with various items and promotions throughout the year. They have great ideas, great designs and provide excellent service - I would highly recommend them! If you have a project and need some great design, why not contact them?
Today Stop Traffick Fashion turns one year old!
Thank you so much for your support. We love seeing how people around the country - and around the world - are getting involved in the fight against trafficking. With your help we’ve been able to equip and empower survivors of trafficking to start free, healthy lives - and we’re excited to keep it up for years to come! Now is also an excellent time to thank all of the wonderful volunteers who have worked with us throughout the year. We certainly couldn’t do what we do without them.
This year has shown us time and time again how powerful word of mouth is. So tell your friends about human trafficking and Stop Traffick Fashion. It’s a simple and incredibly effective way to become a part of the stories of freedom that are unfolding around the world every day.
If you haven’t already heard, we’re having a sale to thank you for your support and encouragement this year! Enter the discount code STFBDAY at checkout and get 20% off an order of $100 or more through the end of June.
Thank you for helping us make changed lives possible! There’s no better time to join the story and take small steps toward big change.
Check out the latest issue of Cincy Chic for an article about a local woman in Northern Kentucky who works with survivors of human trafficking. Mary Richie works for the Women’s Crisis Center in Covington, Kentucky. You can also become a fan of End Slavery Cincinnati on Facebook. End Slavery Cincinnati provides training, education and outreach for the city of Cincinnati regarding human trafficking.
You might not be into weblogging, but it’s a good thing some people are! Recently a group of MetaFilter users rescued 2 Russian girls from a sex trafficking ring. Prompted by fear for his/her friends, a poster started out by asking:
My friend and former student K arrived in DC yesterday, along with a friend. She came over on some kind of travel exchange program put together by a Russian travel agency called ‘Aloha’. They paid about 3K for this program.
The program promised a job offer in advance, but didn’t deliver. They said they would send one via email, but failed there, too.
Her contact in the USA barely speaks English, doesn’t answer her calls but does answer mine. He has asked her and her friend to meet in NYC tonight around midnight, with promises of hostess work in a lounge. Yes, I know how horrific that sounds- that’s why I am working all possible angles here.
From there an extensive list of posting ensued from various members offering resources, advice and help. In the end they persuaded the 2 girls to meet with them instead of a “contact” about a job! If you have time to read the post it’s pretty interesting (Although I would give the post an “R” rating for language). It’s a pretty great example of how being aware and educated about human trafficking and having the right resources can save lives!
As individuals we often feel overwhelmed by the task of fighting human trafficking (or any big task!). However, here at Stop Traffick Fashion we’re strong believers that one person can make a difference. “How?” you might ask. Well, this quote from Helen Keller sums it up well. “I long to accomplish great and noble tasks, but it is my chief duty to accomplish humble tasks as though they were great and noble. The world is moved along, not only by the mighty shoves of its heroes, but also by the aggregate of the tiny pushes of each honest worker.” (emphasis mine)
These pictures illustrate the point well. Consider your commitment to fight trafficking as one marble in your hand. It looks small and insignificant. However, when you combine your commitment with the commitment of others around the world, it amounts to much more! What small steps can you make to fight human trafficking? We’d love to see your comments with ideas!
Several recent headlines have brought more light to the plight of trafficking victims in the US. A recent story on Channel 9 News in Cincinnati highlighted the Trafficking in Persons Study showing that human trafficking is a major problem in Ohio. You can read more there about how Ohioans are fighting in the Senate to get better laws in place for Ohio. Another TV interview profiled on Change.org tells the story of a survivor from Oklahoma.
We’ve said it before but trafficking happens everywhere - including the US! That’s one reason why we’re excited about The Project at Ohio State. A great group of students there want to use Stop Traffick Fashion to help raise awareness about trafficking on campus and also raise funds for Gracehaven House. Gracehaven is an organization that provides restoration and rehabilitation to survivors of trafficking in Columbus, Ohio. It’s one of only a few such organizations in the country!
