Sevenly & Polaris Project: Against Human Trafficking

THIS WEEK'S CHARITY ON SEVENLY

Polaris Project

Polaris Project is a leading organization in the global fight against human trafficking and modern-day slavery. Named after the North Star "Polaris" that guided slaves to freedom along the Underground Railroad, Polaris Project is transforming the way that individuals and communities respond to human trafficking, in the U.S. and globally.

You can help Polaris to support and free those who have been trapped in slavery this week particularly by buying clothing and accessories on Sevenly to donate to the cause. You can also donate to them directly on their site.

Blessings!

Ronell x

Human trafficking survivor stories

So to celebrate the fact that we are through the 21 ways to help A21 Campaign, I thought I would give you some links to survivor stories and to people who have been fighting for them.

- A21 Heroes (those who fundraise and fight against human trafficking): http://www.thea21campaign.org/a21-heroes.php - a good resource to get inspirations for your own ideas!

- Polaris Survivor Stories: 
http://www.polarisproject.org/what-we-do/client-services/survivor-stories

- Watch this video about two women who were tricked into the sex slave trade and their stories- A Dangerous Journey: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=xosVqdLFnRo

Keep up your support against human trafficking! Today's challenge: find an inspiration and choose how you can play a part in ending human trafficking!

Blessings!

Ronell x

“I am a person who is unhappy with things as they stand. We cannot accept the world as it is. Each day we should wake up foaming at the mouth because of the injustice of things.” {Hugo Claus}

21 Ways to get involved with the A21 Campaign (15/21): incorporate the corporate

Today’s suggestion for how to support the A21 Campaign is to incorporate the corporate!

Many companies are now partnering with nonprofit organisations for seasonal moments of giving back. If you work in the corporate world (or know someone who does), ask if A21 could be considered as part of the contenders for a partnership program, matching funds or a sponsored charity. This also usually works best if you have a basic plan in place for how you intend to raise the funds (often companies only match funds raised, not funds donated, so you need a way of raising money).

A friend of mine (Becs) works for Barclays, who have previously very generously matched the money she has been part of raising for charity. One of the ways she has done this fundraising was to sell Krispy Kreme doughnuts to raise money and then asked Barclays to match it, which they generously did! We also already have something in the pipeline to support the A21 Campaign’s fight against human trafficking in 2013.

The Polaris Project have a peer to peer fundraising  site (US) and a site that I have used previously for fundraising in JustGiving.

We all have some corporate friends/contacts and it is well worth contacting as many as can lend their influence in the corporate world to the fight against trafficking, so get networking!

Blessings!

Ronell x

“With every bone in my body I will praise Him: ‘Lord, who can compare with you? Who else rescues the helpless from the strong? Who else protects the helpless and poor from those who rob them?’ ” {Psalm 35v10}

21 Ways to get involved with the A21 Campaign (14/21): Unite and Conquer!

United we stand, divided we fall. The core values of the A21 Campaign rest upon the collaborative efforts of those in the fight against human trafficking. Together we are stronger than when we are separate.

Today’s challenge is to unite and conquer, whether that is socially as suggested in the post party with a purpose, or meeting new people online in forums or at events that combat human trafficking.

British Ministers have also been focusing on human trafficking in the run up to and follow up after the London 2012 Olympics, recognising the definite need for unity in order to tackle this vast issue:

“We cannot effectively tackle the problem in isolation.  It is a transnational crime, and it requires a transnational response. We are working internationally on prevention through education and alleviating poverty. We are strengthening our borders to catch gangs and rescue victims. We also want to see greater protection for those victims, allowing them to return home and receive the support and aftercare they need.” {Foreign Office Minister Hugo Swire}

“Our aim is to build on our collective efforts with international partners so far to continue to support victims and to identify and punish the perpetrators.” {Home Office Minister Mark Harper}

So enroll your friends and enlist your classmates in the fight for freedom! Together we can stand against the injustice of slavery – whatever you do, don’t do it alone!

Search online for events near you. If you are in America, the Polaris Project lists US events on their site: http://www.polarisproject.org/take-action/attend

Blessings!

Ronell x

“Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.” {Ecclesiastes 4v9-12}

21 Ways to get involved with the A21 Campaign (6/21): intern with the A21 Campaign or volunteer with the Polaris Project!

Today’s suggestion (5 of 21) from the A21 Campaign to fight against modern day slavery and human trafficking: intern with the A21 Campaign or volunteer with the Polaris Project!  

Being an intern is a little like taking a meaningful gap year, with programs ranging from 1 to 12 months. A21 Interns are people who decide to be a part of the solution by contributing their time, experience, and talents towards the work of The A21 Campaign.

The A21 Internship Program is designed to give you the opportunity to be a part of the A21 team in the country of your choice. It is a chance to gain in-depth exposure to the projects, initiatives, and daily activities involved in combating human trafficking.

They have teams of people working hard in the fight against injustice all around the globe. You can join in and fight alongside teams in the following countries:

•               Kiev, Ukraine

•               Thessaloniki, Greece

•               Sofia, Bulgaria

•               California, United States

•               Sydney, Australia

For more information, visit The A21 Campaign’s internship page and apply today! There is also a very informative intern FAQ page: http://www.thea21campaign.org/intern-faq.php.

You can also find out about volunteering for the Polaris Project (USA) by visiting http://www.polarisproject.org/take-action/volunteer. In addition to taking action online and in your community to end human trafficking, Polaris Project has opportunities for you to work directly with them as a volunteer in their Newark, NJ or Washington, D.C. offices. To find out about opportunities in other states, please click here.

Please consider this seriously, carefully and most of all prayerfully!

Blessings!

Ronell x

“I take pleasure in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart” {Psalm 40v8}

21 Ways to get involved with the A21 Campaign (5/21): get smart!

Today’s suggestion (5 of 21) from the A21 Campaign to fight against modern day slavery and human trafficking: get smart!  (http://www.thea21campaign.org/21-ways-to-help.php&lang=en).

I don’t mean extra studying as such, or improving your IQ, I mean become well versed in the topic at hand: human trafficking and modern day slavery. If you want to make a difference and fight for a cause, you need to know the facts and be able to have in depth discussions. Thankfully there are many ways for you to learn and uncover the ills of modern-day slavery. The A21 Campaign is making this easy for us by listing some of their favorite resources! Take some time to look up the resources below and get informed.

Recommended Website Resources:

•               The Problem

•               News Room

•               Download the United Nations toolkit to combat trafficking

Recommended Reading Material:

•               The Natashas: Inside the New Global Sex Trade - by Victor Malarek

•               Terrify No More: Young Girls Held Captive and the Daring Undercover Operation to Win Their Freedom - by Gary A. Haugen and Gregg Hunter

•               Not For Sale: The Return of the Global Slave Trade--and How We Can Fight It - by David Batstone.

•               The Road of Lost Innocence - by Somaly Mam

•               Ending Slavery - by Kevin Bales

Recommended movies (for mature audiences only):

•               Nefarious (2011)

•               Human Trafficking (2005)

•               The Jammed (2007)

•               Trade (2007)

•               Taken (2008)

•               Lilya 4-Ever (2002)

The Polaris Project also has a lot of information about human trafficking, so keep reading on there: http://www.polarisproject.org/human-trafficking/overview.

The more you know about this subject, the more confident and credible you will be in raising awareness about it!

Blessings!

Ronell x

“Knowledge is power” {Sir Francis Bacon}