Jun
29
2010
Survivor Success Stories in the USA
Melissa Survivor Stories, Trafficking News & Information 0
I read about trafficking every day. Sometimes the barrage of information from blogs and newspapers and government documents is overwhelming. I find myself thinking I know, I know. There are so many atrocities around the world. I get it. I’m trying to help, but I just can’t read one more sad/depressing/frustrating story. Sometimes it feels too far away and I loose touch with the urgency of the situation. Over time it can be tempting to ignore the problem and go on with life. But then I read articles like these. Lives are changing. Survivors are thriving. Not only on otherRead more
Jun
28
2010
Upcoming Events – July
We have a couple of cool events coming up in July! Saturday, July 3rd 5:30pm Freedom Without Walls Freedom Center, Cincinnati Come celebrate the opening of the new Berlin Wall exhibit at the Freedom Center and visit the Stop Traffick Fashion table! (Tickets are required and an RSVP is necessary by June 30th) Sunday, July 11th 12-5pm Second Sundays in Over The Rhine Main Street, Cincinnati This months theme is Global Groove: a celebration of dance, art, and music from around the world! Perfect for Stop Traffick Fashion. Last month was a great event so we hope to see youRead more
Jun
27
2010
What’s next?
Emily Books & Resources, Partner Organization News, STF News, Survivor Stories, Trafficking News & Information, Uncategorized 0
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 thatRead more
Jun
26
2010
Hagar’s Goal: Restoration & Reintegration!
Emily Partner Organization News, Product Information, Survivor Stories 3
Hagar’s ultimate goal is to restore their clients to life in all it’s fullness. They do not want clients to be in intensive care forever, but to be fully re-integrated into society. For those that come to them as children they focus on getting them the best and highest education possible to set them up for success in life. For those women that come at an older age, they focus on job skills training in a program called Career Pathways. Their job skills training begins with 3 months of soft skills so that the women can learn how to beRead more
Jun
24
2010
Up Close: Cambodia, Day 3 Part 2
Emily Partner Organization News, Survivor Stories 3
The highlight of our visit was definitely Wednesday afternoon. We spent the afternoon at the Women’s Recovery Shelter making jewelry with many survivors of trafficking and other domestic abuse! (Although visiting House of Smiles was a close second.) The women were absolutely beautiful and had such a great time making some fun, beaded jewelry. They were absolutely beaming and so was I. It was great to see how happy they were and how much fun they were having. Hagar is definitely making a difference in their lives! I definitely recommend reading the hopeful stories they have posted on their website.Read more
Jun
23
2010
Up Close: Cambodia, Day 3 Part 1
Emily Partner Organization News 1
The mission of Hagar is to care for women and children who have been cast out of society. In addition to survivors of trafficking and other domestic and sexual abuse, Hagar also cares for mentally and physically disabled children. In Cambodian society those children are often cast off for two reasons. First, there can be a stigma attached to disabilities due to Buddhism. Their parents believe that the children have a disability due to problems in their previous life. Second, they simply don’t know how to care for disabled children. Because of this there is a great need to educateRead more
Jun
23
2010
Talk to Your Senators!
Emily Books & Resources, Partner Organization News, Uncategorized 0
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 andRead more
Jun
22
2010
Up Close: Cambodia, Day 2
Emily Partner Organization News 0
Today we began a whirlwind trip to visit and understand the workings of Hagar Cambodia. We met with leaders from the Nuturing Christian Commitment program, heard the story of a former Hagar client, heard from several of the counselors, the leader of the children’s programs and visited their catch-up school. Phew! I was extremely impressed by the passion and dedication of the staff, as well as the scope and continuous growth and improvement in Hagar programs. They have recently worked with doctors and researchers at Johns Hopkins University to develop a rigorous trauma counseling curriculum specifically designed for Cambodians whoRead more
Jun
21
2010
Up Close: Cambodia, Day 1
Emily Books & Resources, Partner Organization News, Trafficking News & Information 0
Today was day one of my trip to Cambodia! The day was focused on getting a big picture view of the situation in Cambodia by meeting with leaders of various organizations working here. I had aspirations to summarize the many notes I took but now that I go through them there are just too many! So I will highlight a few things and focus the biggest thing I took away from today. Many of the leaders commented that the partnerships and networks among the NGOs are the strongest among many cities they have worked in. The Director of World HopeRead more
Jun
18
2010
We’re Going on a Trip!
Emily Partner Organization News 1
Several months ago Melissa posted a series of blogs on her trip to Kolkata, India to visit the Freeset organization. If you want to catch up on those posts, start with this one then work your way through in chronological order. Well, in a few days I’ll be able to start updating you on my visit to Hagar in Cambodia. In addition to visiting the shelters and social enterprises that Hagar runs, we will also be talking to the teams from IJM and Chab Dai. I’m looking forward to learning more about the industry leading work that Hagar does andRead more