Jan
12
2012
Building a Happy, Healthy Haiti
Melissa Partner Organization News 0
Today marks the 2-year anniversary of the earthquake that devastated Haiti. The Restavek Freedom Foundation has been working since well before that time to put an end to a system of slavery in the country: restavek. A restavek is a child who is usually from a rural area and is sent to live with a family in the city. They go in hopes of a better life and a chance at an education. Instead they become victims of human trafficking, trapped as servants in strangers’ homes. They work from before dawn til late at night doing whatever is askedRead more
Dec
29
2011
Dhanyabad! Ar Kun! Khawp Khun! Asante! Thank You!
Melissa Everyday Abolitionist, Partner Organization News, Survivor Stories 0
Thanks for fighting trafficking with STF this year! In this season of thankfulness and family, don’t forget the men, women, and children around the world whose lives have been changed because of everyday abolitionists like you. Thanks to you, not only did we have a direct impact on survivors’ lives by empowering them with safe jobs, fair wages and other benefits, we were also able to make donations to Hagar International and Freeset.
Dec
17
2011
Everyday Abolistionist: Nicole at Lusso Bags
Melissa Everyday Abolitionist, Partner Organization News 1
Everyday Abolitionist is a recurring feature on the blog where we’ll hear firsthand from someone using their skills, talents, and opportunities to fight trafficking. This time around we have Nicole who is the founder of Lusso Bags. (Check out the Mrs. Bird Shoe and Accessory Bag in the STF Shop.) How did you first find out about human trafficking? My cousin told me about her trip to India where she visited a couple of social enterprises that enabled women to leave the sex trade and work as seamstresses. What is it about the issue of trafficking that compelled youRead more
Dec
15
2011
Keep Girls Home for Christmas
Melissa Fair Trade, Partner Organization News, Trafficking News & Information 0
Check out this blog post from Freeset this fall. It’s tough to face the heartbreak, but let the heartbreak fuel your resolve to the goal—no more trafficking. Ending trafficking keeps young girls safe at home—for the holidays and always. Shopping fair trade helps families have options and prevents the desperation and despair of poverty that helps fuel trafficking.
Dec
15
2011
A Different Kind of Hustle & Bustle
Melissa Fair Trade, Partner Organization News, Survivor Stories 0
By this point in December, many of you are probably starting to get worn out. Between parties and the mall, life just gets tiring. While most of us could use a bit of downtime, it’s important to remember that being busy doesn’t always mean being frantic and stressed out. Here’s a look at the busy world of 31Bits in Uganda. It’s a place where action brings life and joy. Here’s a bit more about their programs. The women of 31Bits encourage me to find ways to ditch the stress by remaining active in life-changing work.
Dec
06
2011
Give the Gift of Light
Emily Books & Resources, Everyday Abolitionist, Partner Organization News, Survivor Stories 0
Of course, Stop Traffick Fashion has lots of great gifts that bring true joy to Christmas. But we also know that our products don’t fit all of your needs and sometimes you need a gift for that person who has everything. In that situation I always recommend making a donation to an excellent organization in their name, and Hagar International would be an excellent choice! Christmas is defined by light. Trees sparkle, candles glow, and stars glisten as a reminder of God’s light of the world. But in Cambodia, Afghanistan and Vietnam, there are thousands of women and children whoRead more
Nov
11
2011
News from Afghanistan
Emily Everyday Abolitionist, Partner Organization News, Survivor Stories, Trafficking News & Information 0
Last month, Bronwyn Graham, Hagar Afghanistan Country Director, talked with Norm Nelson of Compassion Radio. In a 20 minute interview, Bronwyn shared her calling to serve and Hagar’s next steps in providing restorative care to some of Afghanistan’s most forgotten. Listen to hear a voice from Afghanistan quite different from what you hear on the news.
Oct
19
2011
Enter to Win a Copy of “God in a Brothel”
Emily Books & Resources, Everyday Abolitionist, Partner Organization News, Trafficking News & Information 0
From Hagar International: Today, many people have become aware of the prevalence of sex trafficking, but few of us understand what really happens behind the closed doors of a brothel. Daniel Walker’s poignant read, “God in a Brothel” digs deep into the darkness of sex trafficking, and exposes the injustice, the violence, and the trauma women and children experience around the world. As Daniel shares his personal journey as an undercover agent, his honesty is haunting and reveals not just his passion and zeal, but also the challenges he faced in pursuing justice. Read Daniel’s book and hear the individual storiesRead more
Sep
19
2011
Give Hope to Cambodia Through Hagar International
Melissa Everyday Abolitionist, Partner Organization News, Survivor Stories, Trafficking News & Information, Uncategorized 1
Read previous posts about Cambodia, the Khmer Rouge, and what everyday abolitionist can do to help heal Cambodia. Our partner organization Hagar International works extensively with exploited women and children in Cambodia. Here’s how their website summarizes the conditions of Cambodia and the work they do there: Today, most Cambodians live in extreme poverty, with more than 77 percent of the population earning less than $2 a day. Women and children disproportionately bear the burden of intermittent employment and limited access to health and education services. Sexual and domestic violence are also realities within Cambodian society. Extreme poverty, low levelsRead more
Sep
19
2011
Everyday Abolitionist: Maria Van Hoorn
Melissa Everyday Abolitionist, Partner Organization News 0
Everyday Abolitionist is a recurring feature on the blog where we’ll hear firsthand from someone using their skills, talents, and opportunities to fight trafficking. This time around we have Maria Van Hoorn who works with Hagar USA. RESTORE, our benefit event for Hagar, is this Saturday! If you want to support this benefit for Hagar and can’t come to the show, you can donate to Hagar online and put RESTORE in the comments on the donation page. How did you first find out about human trafficking? I was enrolled in a Peace and Justice course in college and we focusedRead more