Day 4 - Stopping the Silence

Again, only one woman arrived this morning from the original crew on Monday. Two new "students" arrived at the center, and I only hoped they would come again tomorrow. Both of the new women today couldn't speak a lot of English, so the facility manager was helpful with translation. I learned that one women in her 40's was forced to take a job at the bar to repay a $10 loan she took out for her daughter to send her to school. She has been repaying it for over a year, and she still owes money. I'm speculating that her loan was from a pimp, whereby, interest never allows a woman to pay back the entire sum. Another woman new to the center today, wanted to go to school. School costs money, and without education and skills, she felt her options were limited.  She looked so young, and so sad. Never smiled.

I recall so many surreal moments from the day. At one point, we were all cooking in the kitchen in silence, when it was suddenly broken by the local Thai facility manager, in a spontaneous rendition of Silent Night. Haunting and beautiful. Later in the day, we all sat outside in the muggy heat, cross legged on a wooden platform enjoying sticky rice together. We all shared stories of how we came to the center, why we came to the center, and why it means something to us. Women from different backgrounds, cultures, economic status, professions. It was safe. Beautiful. Pure. Authentic. A sisterhood was formed. We are all the same, and I just happened to be the lucky one, born into a country where I was given an education and treated equally. These women have so much value and tremendous potential, but need a chance. Things we take for granted would be privileges for them. It was humbling and sobering.

What I learned:

• The Thai system perpetuates poor laborers rather than creating new wealthy consumers. They export food, clothing and other goods at the cheapest price (as that is what the developed world demands), and the West primarily exports money through tourists to Thailand (many, sex tourists). If we continue to demand cheaper and cheaper food items and clothing items, it will continue to force the wage of local workers down, limiting the number of well paying jobs for uneducated persons. We are part of the problem.
• The chauvinistic policy of boys receiving education more readily than girls places girls at an immediate disadvantage of finding meaningful employment.

I read a quote while I was traveling, and I regret to have not written down the author, but it captured so eloquently the situation of the women and girls in so many countries, forced into prostitution, submission and exploitation: 

"Too many women

From too many countries

Speak the same language

Of silence"

I must be the voice. We must be the change together.

Day 3 - Return to the Center

Today I was greeted at the center by a lovely local women who lived in the area, and had recently accepted employment to help with the overall management of the equipping center (and help translate for the foreigners who volunteered). I was disappointed to see that 2 of the women from yesterday didn't show up -- quite common according to the center workers. I can't imagine how hard it would be to turn off the exhaustion and disgust from the night before, and work in the kitchen for another 8-9 hours. I learned from a center worker that money was an issue -- the center could pay only a portion of the wage that a girl could make working in a bar in one night. If the expectation of these bar workers is to send home enough money to support her family, then the choice is simple. One of the women from Monday was already there when I arrived, however, diligently cleaning dishes. Her story is not uncommon. Her husband left her, and she needed to support herself, and her son who is a monk. How ironic that her son is working towards achieving nirvana, and his own mother is forced to be employed at a bar to support him? 

Later that afternoon, I had the opportunity to visit another safe house run by a local Thai woman, supported mainly through donars from Sweden. It was tucked away down several small side streets, located at the bottom of an apartment complex (pic insert). It was 2 stories high, and had a hairdressing training room, jewelery making room, and sewing room. The founder of the safe house told me they were saving one girl a month from the bars. One girl a month! This is huge -- because of what they are doing, one less girl is forced into prostitution because of their support and sustainable job skills they're providing.

Thus far, this trip has been a roller coaster of emotions. While still on a high from visiting the last center and hearing about the recovery rate, later that evening I saw a recovered girl from the first center this morning walking around with her 57 year old "boyfriend" from the U.K. She told us about him in the morning, but the story from the morning, and the reality staring at me, were 2 different things. She looked sad, and the boyfriend looked uncomfortable when approached by a fellow center worker. This is the problem with the recovery -- so many women due to low self esteem and self worth can be drawn back in with empty promises and a chance for a better life. The big question is -- how can we provide basic education and job training, along with addressing low self worth issues, which have been ingrained for a lifetime? Perhaps for generations?

Learning's from Day 3

• An optimal job training/support center would pay an equivalent salary to the income made in a bar. This almost guarantees that a girl won't be forced to make the hard decision to return to the bars. Perhaps there needs to be an incentive for a family to encourage the girl to stay with the centers' program?
• Emotional guidance/support really is an essential part of recovery -- education and job skills will only go as far as self worth will let a person go.

Another heavy and full day. I am encouraged by some of the first hand learning's I'm already capturing, though. These will be essential as GVN Foundation and myself choose a partner that addresses the issues and challenges I'm documenting.

Day 2 - First Visit to the Center

The sungtow arrived at 730 a.m, since the trek to the center was a good 20 minutes from the hotel. Interesting to see the world from the open back of a pick-up truck -- organized chaos of unruly traffic, tons of exhaust, and the morning in full swing. The road to the center was tranquil and swampy. After a couple minutes on a remote road, I see what looks like a palatial estate. Sprawling lawns, covered terraces and hand carved furniture create a peaceful, inviting environment. Upon approaching the door, I was greeted by the current facility manager (a fellow American), dedicating her time for several months to provide support and expertise to the facility. After a brief tour, 4 girls arrive looking tired and timid. All of the girls had been working at the bars the evening before, and dedicated their time to come to the equipping center during their sleeping hours to learn new skills, so one day they can transition jobs. 

Throughout the day, I learned bits and pieces from each of the girls. The most outgoing of the bunch told me that she was one of 5 girls, and that her mother and one of her sisters is dead. She was from a Northern hill tribe, and her Dad is dying of cancer. Her income from working in Chiang Mai helps support her family back home. My impression of all the girls that spent the day training and working at the center was that while they were physically and emotionally exhausted, they all had sweet, innocent demeanor's. How awful life dealt them this deck of cards. My task for the week was to work in this "equipping center," helping teach and refine culinary skills to the workers, giving them other job options in the future. Goods we make during the week will be sold to help support the center. 

Through conversations with the Executive Director later that day, he informed me that all of the bar workers he has encountered have endured some sort of trauma, neglect, or abuse prior to working in the bars. None have extensive education (hang onto that thought), so options are thought to be limited. I suppose if you couple limited options with lack of self esteem, prostitution seems like the only option. Surely the girls I met today have experienced great trauma and disrespect in their short life -- they all seemed so fragile. One thing they all had in common was a dead look in their eyes. 

While saddened by my meetings with these girls, I was encouraged by a full-time center worker that had begun employment outside of the bars about 6 months ago -- the program works! 

Later that night, I took a stroll down a couple infamous streets in Chiang Mai -- ones lined with open air bars, crawling with Western men and young local women. Bars front as brothels -- simple as that. Everyone knows it, it's accepted, and in a way, ignored. Walking down the streets, seeing the sad, dead eyes of the girls, saddened me enormously. No one wants to sell their body for money. Every single one of these girls/women felt they had no other choice, and they are violated everyday because of this decision. I just don't buy "voluntary prostitution." Lack of choices, education, and self esteem drive women to make this life changing decision.

Learning's from Day 2

• Education is key. Education is empowerment. I read it, and now I see it. Education gives individuals options. Options opens doors of opportunity, and an environment where women learn that their contribution to society can be so much more than servicing of men.
• Female equality is equally as important as eduction (but harder to directly effect from our end). My personal opinion is that Thailand will not be able to fully develop until 1/2 their population is valued.
• While the bar workers were earning money for their family, it was not offsetting the humiliation and emotional suffering they were enduring. 

I hope they come back tomorrow.

Day 1 - Arriving in Chiang Mai

20 hours after departing San Francisco, I land in Bangkok, humidity slapping me in the face. It's midnight, and I have 8 hours until my flight departs to my final destination, so I choose to run to a hotel to get a couple hours sleep. Eerie feeling as I get to my room, as there was a "reminder notice" by my bed stating that "sexual exploitation of children is illegal." Ok, seriously...a reminder notice? I hadn't even been in Thailand for an hour at that point, and already I'm understanding the scope of the issue around sex tourism and exploitation that I only read about before.

I arrive in Chiang Mai safely, and check into my hotel -- have to say, accommodations were a tad better than NE Romania, but not by much -- cigarette ashes in my sheets, body odour on the towels (not mine), and a location by a local brothel. Day turned into dusk, and on the eve of my first working day at the center, I took a walk to the longest street market (I was told) in SE Asia. Night in Chiang Mai isn't pretty -- seedy, dirty, air thick with humidity. The open "acceptance" of exploitation  was shocking. Sixty year old Western men with 15 year old Thai girls was the norm, and nobody seemed to notice or care. Street market ended up being nothing more than a reprisal of Slumdog Millionaire. Nestled between endless tables of scarves, trinkets and counterfeit goods, were blind boys singing for change, lines of disabled people begging for help, young mothers holding drugged babies begging for money, and young tribal girls dancing provocatively to Britney Spears. I suppose ignorance is bliss, since there were thousands of people passing by, not really seeming to notice. Le Parker Meridian shining high above the street, monks walking amongst us and invisible people everywhere. Week has hardly started, and my heart is already broken.

Forward - Trip to Chiang Mai

Like any great journey, I went into this one with one clear objective, and probably some preconceptions on what I'd see. Nine days later, I came out on the other end with some perceptions confirmed, but moreover, many surprises, heartache and hope. Chiang Mai is a city of contradictions. Organized chaos. A circus of humanity -- good, bad and ugly. I came to Chiang Mai to learn more about sex trafficking and the issues surrounding the sexual exploitation of women, and came away with a deeper understanding and first hand accounts of drivers, solutions, and the hypocritical nature of mankind. My thoughts and learning's of the issues surrounding sexual exploitation of women and children are weaved throughout this journal, and I'll be posting excerpts from my travels everyday, moving forward, for the next couple of days. I will say upfront that I did not come into contact with any women specifically trafficked for sex exploitation, but rather, women who were forced into a life of exploitation due to lack of choices, education, self esteem and trauma.

Context

Through some research, I've learned that 80% of girls working in the sex tourist industry in Thailand come from the hill tribes in Northeast Thailand. The culture and family value system of these tribes is that boys come first, at the expense of the girls. Boys are often the only recipient of education, often paid by from the girls' income that she brings into the family. Ironic how girls are deemed as not valuable enough to educate, yet they are expected to become the primary source of income for the family. My impression was that girls earn recognition and respect from her family by earning money. Without a solid education, her income sources dry up, and working in the bars becomes the primary "choice" for the girls vs. finding a place of meaningful employment.

I will not use names of the Americans I was working with, the bar girls I met, or the name of the training/support center, to respect the privacy and security of all involved. My entries will be general in terms of names and specifics that could inadvertently exploit the center/girls, but still provide my insights and learning's into the issue. 

While I saw extreme beauty in Thailand, I believe that many parts of the country will remain impoverished until they begin to value 1/2 of their society. As long as women, specifically from the Northeastern hill tribes, aren't valued and given the same opportunities as the men, this society will not reach it's full potential. 

I'll post "Day 1" tomorrow.

Today's the Day

Today is the day – off to work in a safe house for victims of sex trafficking, and truly begin my understanding, and hands-on experience, around this issue. On the eve of my travel to SE Asia, I pulled out a journal I kept when I went to Romania last year to work in an at-risk orphanage during December ’08. To tell you the truth, I haven’t opened that journal since I came home, since the experience was so raw on every level. I really haven’t had the stomach to do it. Well, for whatever reason, I took a break from packing and opened it up last night to re-live a pretty amazing awakening of myself, and one of the catalysts to drive me towards fighting for the vulnerable. While reading the journal, I was reminded that at the completion of everyday, I forced myself to write what I learned on that day. I had a tremendous amount of anger over the treatment of the children, and the oppression of the local people, but found myself in a quiet space every night, and able to reflect on what those experiences meant. Hours before I leave for Thailand, to be immersed in what I consider my life’s work, I am taken back to the lessons I wrote down in Romania, almost a year ago. For this blog entry, instead of speculating on my impending journey, I thought it might be interesting to reflect on my journey from last year. For all of you following this journey, or wanting to take a step into the unknown, and be part of the solution, consider these personal lessons I learned on my last trip that are so important to embrace when working and volunteering abroad:

· As different as cultures and countries seem, fundamentally, every person is the same -- everyone wants, and deserves, to be loved.
· Risk is a necessity to reach ones potential
· It’s not what you look at, but what you see
· Live in the present
· Patience is a virtue
· Enjoy simple things in life – you will be happier
· Never be quick to judge
· Happiness is in the connections you make, not the things you’ve acquired

While I cannot blog while I am working at the safe house, I promise to take copious notes, and will blog a journal entry, per day, upon my return. We live in a country where we have a voice, and we know about the atrocities being committed against the vulnerable. It is my, and your, obligation to give the women and children survivors of sex trafficking a voice. A chance. Another view of life, where they know what security, vulnerability and love feel like. Talk to you in a couple of weeks.

52 Children Recovered, 60 Alleged Child Pimps Arrested in Crackdown

Did you automatically think this was associated with a crackdown overseas? Well, it's not. This crackdown happened in our very own country. Check it out:

http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/10/26/child.prostitution/index.html

Based on details from the article, the three-day operation, tagged Operation Cross Country IV, included enforcement actions in 36 cities across 30 FBI divisions nationwide, and arrested more than 690 all suspected or involved in child prostitution.

What was interesting about this article was that it highlighted the Innocence Lost National Initiative. This initiative led by the FBI, is aimed at addressing the growing problem of domestic sex trafficking and prostitution of children in the United States. In the five years since its inception, the initiative has resulted in the development of 34 dedicated task forces and working groups throughout the U.S. involving federal, state and local law enforcement agencies working in tandem with U.S. Attorney's Offices.

Despite their progress against this epidemic, the issue of child sex trafficking and prostitution in our own country continues to grow. While this growing issue in our own backyard is infuriating, I am encouraged that we have what seems like broad government and law enforcement support involved in bringing the predators to justice. Just another reminder that this is a worldwide issue, and the scope of GVNF's Anti Trafficking Fund are, and will, continue to focus both on the support of domestic and international agencies supporting the survivors.

Marie Claire Joining the Movement?

I have to give it to Marie Claire magazine. If you’re anything like me, you’re probably very cynical when it comes to fashion magazines, however, this one gave me an unexpected surprise. While waiting in the lobby of a building today, flipping through the pages to make the time go faster, I came face to face with my hero, Somaly Mam (you might remember an article I wrote on this outstanding woman, from a previous blog). The article focused on a survivor of sex-trafficking/slavery - her name is Sreypov. She was sold to a brothel at the age of 7. It’s a staggering account of one girls' life in a brothel ,and her eventual recovery (through the Somaly Mam Foundation). The article is covered by Abigail Pesta, and I encourage anyone reading this blog to click on the attached link to read the whole story.

http://www.marieclaire.com/world-reports/news/international/diary-escaped-sex-slave

This is another reminder of the evil that exists amongst us, and the people facing this evil with courage, resolve and focus. Sreypov was one of millions victimized by forced prostitution. Today there are 12 million people enslaved by forced prostitution and labor across the world. I have to commend this magazine for publishing her story – as she states in the article “…if no one knows, nothing will change.” I’m encouraged that so many high profile people and media vehicles are waking up to this epidemic – Oprah, The Body Shop (worldwide), and now – Marie Claire magazine (to name a few). The more people that know of this heinous crime, the more pressure will be placed on the governments and the criminals who harbor the trafficking and enslavement of women and children. Just think…if every fashion magazine out there replaced just a few pages from their publication every month with accounts of survivors, how much faster could we gain momentum around a social movement to end sex trafficking/slavery?

Love, Respect & Hope

On my ongoing quest to find the right partner for GNVF, I am conducting my first site visit to a safe house in SE Asia very soon. This will actually give me first hand exposure and experience with survivors of sex trafficking/exploitation, and the organizations that support them. Due to the confidentiality of potential partners, and the Executive Director's request to keep the organization and the women/children I meet out of my blog, I will only write in very general terms (no names, dates, pics). It'll be interesting to update my blog after I return, to report on the reality of the situation vs. speculation. My experience with overseas philanthropic travel has taught me that views are usually challenged, experiences usually exceeds expectations, and learning's are deep and meaningful.

The organization I'll be visiting offers a safe community for sexually exploited women. They are dedicated to empowering women to find self worth, healing and happiness through emotional support, education and job training. I'll be involved in the job training during the day, and outreach in the red light district area in the evening. 

This organization provides things that were absent from the victims before they found this organization  -- love, respect and hope. I feel absolutely privileged that I'll be living alongside these amazing women, and learning the true meaning of resilience, love and forgiveness.

"Where there is love, there is life" -- Gandhi

p.s.

Several more meetings with other potential partners are also set before the end of the year. Exciting plans are brewing behind the scenes, so you'll have to hold tight for the grand unveiling of the details behind the GVNF Anti-Trafficking Fund shortly after the New Year. Until then, check out http://www.gvnfoundation.org/programs/antitrafficking/

Resource Guide - Part 1

I've been asked to list additional resources from individuals looking for more information around the issue of sex-trafficking. Over the next several blogs, I’ll be sharing with you different resources (both film, article, website and book resources) to help you on your journey of understanding the issue better. This will be “Part 1” of this resource catalogue -- I’ll start this blog with film resources. Many of them were provided to me by the Executive Director of Restore NYC (Faith Huckel), and come highly recommended. I've attached links to web pages that provide further info on the resource, or a preview of the film.

Born into Brothels
Documentary film traces the lives of several children in the Red Light district of India. Winner of the 2005 Academy Award for Best Documentary Film. Born into Brothels was produced and directed by New York based filmmakers Ross Kauffman and Zana Briski.

http://kids-with-cameras.org/bornintobrothels/dvd.php

Sex Slaves
Frontline presents a unique hidden camera look at the world of sexual slavery, talking with traffickers and their victims, and exposing the government indifference that allows the abuses to continue virtually unchecked.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/slaves/

Human Trafficking
Fictional movie traces the routes of several women and children as they are bought and sold by international traffickers. This dramatic film illustrates several forms of human trafficking, particularly the sexual exploitation of women and young children. It captures the stories of victims, perpetrators and those working to stop trafficking.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4237pS55h4

Fields of Mudan
Fictional account based on real conditions, the 2006 Academy Awards qualifier written and directed by a FSU film student tells the story of Mudan, a young Chinese girl forced into an Asian underworld of child prostitution and modern day slavery by a brutal brothel owner.

http://www.fieldsofmudan.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FN7x95heHhc

Excellent Resource

In my ongoing research of the facts, figures and stories behind the growing epidemic of sex trafficking, I’ve just come across a website with some excellent articles about trafficking & globalization, the recruitment of children into sex trade, and rescuing the victims.

The website is from the Not For Sale site – a grassroots effort to mobilize activists to deploy innovative solutions to re-abolish slavery in their own backyards and across the globe. Very similar to the GVNF mission, and a great example of a small group of people making a big impact in the fight against sex trafficking.


If you are looking for an introduction to the details behind modern-day slavery, I encourage you to browse their site – great information, and insightful commentary.

http://www.notforsalecampaign.org/about/slavery/#rs_2

Not For Sale -- another example of changemakers amongst us.

Supply and Demand

A question I get asked often from people trying to understand the growing epidemic of sex trafficking is around how to cut off supply and/or eliminate demand. I think there are many organizations and government agencies trying to unlock the key to this dilemma, and while some success has been made, I don’t think anyone has found the golden ticket yet. Through my research, I have come across two organizations (one, which I have volunteered with), that are individually taking on the supply side of the issue, and the demand.

Eliminating Supply

While almost unfathomable to you and I, selling a child is sometimes the only way a family can afford to keep everyone else in their family alive. Many times, families don’t know they are selling their child into prostitution – they are told that they will be working in a neighboring city or country, and creating a better life for themselves. The money generated from the sale of a child (almost always girls) could buy food on a table, or an animal to generate long-term money for the family. The irony is that if a girl was put in school, versus sold to a brothel, over the long-term she could generate more money, support and status for her family.

The American Assistance for Cambodia started a program called Girls Be Ambitious, and yes…they bribe families to keep girls in school. A family can generate $10/month if their girl has perfect attendance in school. This means that we could keep a girl out of sexual slavery and from being trafficked, for $120 a year. Think of it…the cost of a pair of shoes or dinner out on Friday night for us, could literally save a girls life.

Eliminate Demand

Recently, I worked closely with an organization based in NYC called Stop Child Trafficking Now. SCTNow has chosen to fund a bold, new approach—one that addresses demand—by targeting child predators for prosecution and conviction. They fund special operative teams (retired FBI/navy personnel), who identify predators to arrest, charge, prosecute and convict. Their philosophy is listed on their website:

Rescuing child victims, while important and essential, does nothing to stem the tide of child trafficking. Economic principals prove that supply is a byproduct of demand. When demand goes up, so too does the supply to meet that demand. Conversely, if the demand goes down, then so too will the supply. As long as these predators buy and exploit children, there will continue to be a market and a demand for them. SCTNow's philosophy is to give its undivided attention to the demand side

Both organizations are unique in that they are attacking the problem, before it results in a victim, or survivor needing rehabilitation. Just another example of courageous and focused organizations making a significant difference to attack this global issue head-on.

Must Read

Reasonable people adapt themselves to the world. Unreasonable people attempt to adapt the world to themselves. All progress, therefore, depends on unreasonable people. George Bernard Shaw

It's been a couple days since I last posted a blog...I was traveling on business, but had the opportunity to finally finish Half The Sky by Nicholos Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn. I've mentioned excerpts of the book in previous postings, but after finishing the book, it became clear there are common themes surrounding the solutions to sex trafficking, rape as a weapon of war, maternal health issues and gender inequality. Takeaways from all the solutions boiled down to 2 main themes:

1. Empowering women begins with education.
2. The most effective change agents on the ground aren't foreigners, but local women. Grassroots efforts work (GVN has been supporting local community projects for almost 10 years! Go GVN!).

I've said it before, but I'll say it again -- if you are looking for a gritty, challenging and honest portrayal of the oppression of women today, and the change agents taking on the issues, this is a must read. The most fascinating parts of the book showed examples of resourceful and courageous individuals who pushed the line, and risked their own life to better the life of other women. These women were not considered "reasonable" by the society around them, so they resorted to "unreasonable" behavior to break free of oppression, and move the dial forward for women's rights, equality, safety and rehabilitation.

What a great honor to be working with GVNF to support these hero's amongst us.

p.s. Don't forget to check out our new donation portal to support the Anti-Trafficking Fund. Funds raised will go towards grassroots efforts in the field, and support those change agents amongst us.

http://www.gvnfoundation.org/programs/antitrafficking/

Why Investment in Girls Makes Sense

I mentioned in a previous blog that I’m reading Nicholas Kristoff and Sheryl WuDunn's new book Half the Sky, which focuses on the oppression of women and girls in the developing world. I started to read this book, since it focuses on the sex trafficking epidemic, and lays out solutions to end it. While I’m only a couple chapters into the book, an interesting section on women and the economy caught my attention. Since GVNF and I are solidifying projects to fund education based initiatives to support women who have been victimized by sex trafficking, I was encouraged to read extremely compelling facts that support our mission. Unleashing women's potential through education not only empowers them, but also contributes to gender equality, fighting poverty, and economic progress of the entire community:

Investment in girls’ education may well be the highest-return investment available in the developing world – Lawrence Summers, Chief Economist World Bank (1990’s)

Women’s empowerment helps raise economic productivity and reduces infant mortality. It contributes to improved health and nutrition. It increases the chance of education for the next generation – UNDP

Progress is achieved through women – Bernard Kouchner, founder of Doctors Without Borders

Just another reminder why the support, after-care and education of the women and children victims of sex trafficking and slavery is not just important, but imperative.

It's Official

This week, Global Volunteer Network Foundation officially added an Anti-Trafficking Fund page and donation option to their website!

http://www.gvnfoundation.org/programs/antitrafficking/

Posting our official page is an exciting first step! Next, Courtney Montague and myself are finalizing proposals around projects and partner organizations we'd like to support. We should have details to share with you towards the end of November! More to come.

In addition to moving ahead at a good pace with the GVNF Anti-Trafficking Fund, I am also in the midst of preparing for a site-visit to a safe-house in Northern Thailand in mid-November. This trip serves two purposes:

1. Work in a safe house for victims of sex trafficking, and spend time with the survivors to gain a deeper understanding of the issue and needs of survivors
2. Vet out a potential partnership with GVNF

For security purposes, the Executive Director of the safe-house has asked me not to name their organization or post pictures without his approval. Clearly, the intent is not to harm anyone staying in the shelter, so I will only talk about the upcoming trip in general details, not naming specific locations or posting pictures.

Your support and feedback continue to inspire me and help with the development of the Anti-Trafficking Fund. We made great progress this week with the launch of the website page, and with your ongoing support, we will make a difference in someones life who has been victimized and exploited by sex-trafficking. One step at a time, with your help, we can be the change we want to see in the world.

3 Things You Can Do to Empower Women

Last week, Oprah Winfrey launched a For All Women Registry program on her website, becoming another high profile participant in the global fight against sex trafficking (go Oprah!). While exploring her site, I came across some excerpts from the Pulitzer Prize winners Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn's new book (which I just so happen to be reading...will give you a full review once I finish!) called Half the Sky. The three main themes which address the 3 Things You Can Do to Empower Women are (quoted directly from oprah.com):

Make girls smarter

Many pregnant women living in poverty don't get enough iodine, so their fetuses' brains do not develop properly. Their children routinely lose ten to 15 IQ points—particularly the girls, for reasons not fully understood. The solution: Iodize salt, at the cost of a couple of pennies per person per year.

Support a woman's business

With a microloan of $50, a woman can start a business, producing income she can use to feed her children and send them to school.

Keep a girl in school

A girl who gets an education will have fewer children, earn more money, and be able to help her younger siblings.

Nicholas Kristof and his wife Sheryl WuDunn, are at the forefront of anti-human/sex-trafficking crusade, and have spent years researching the topic of abuses of women in third world countries, and the resources they need to give them a fighting chance. Reading this excerpt was very encouraging, since GVNF has already identified these as some of the areas we would like to focus our Anti-Trafficking Funds towards. Courtney and I have our next meeting on Friday to vet a potential Anti-Trafficking Fund recipient and project, and I'll report on our next steps post meeting.

As an old Chinese proverb says "women hold up half the sky." Yes they do, and perhaps if you and I galvanize our resources and love, and provide to those that face oppression everyday, we can ensure that we continue to hold up half the sky, and maybe even, a bit more.

Terrify No More

"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing" Edmund Burke

Throughout the development work around the GVNF Anti-Trafficking Fund, I'm beginning to read a lot more about the sex-trafficking epidemic in an attempt to understand the issue at a deeper level, determine survivor needs, and pinpoint organizations that are making a difference. Terrify No More (written by the President of International Justice Mission - Gary Haugen) portrayed the horrific crimes against children in Cambodian brothels, and a detailed account of Gary's team infiltrating and gathering evidence to free the girls. Great read -- highly recommend it.

I began reading it to prepare myself for a site visit I'm making to a safe-house in Northern Thailand next month. While the accounts in the book were graphic and hard to read at times, I felt it was an honest portrayal of the evil that exists, and the power of truth . "Truth compels people of goodwill to act; and because all that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good people to do nothing, the end is near for the perpetrators of injustice when the truth compels good people to do something." Terrify No More, Gary Haugen

What compels you to act?

(stay tuned for more upcoming details on my site visit to a safe house in Thailand!)

Walk to Stop Sex Trafficking

September 26th, 2009 marked a special day for me. I walked the Golden Gate Bridge with 120 other walkers to raise awareness and funding for Stop Child Trafficking Now. I got involved with SCT Now when I met the founder back in May 2009. She told me about her passion for this issue, and her mission to raise money to address the demand side of sex trafficking. I knew at that point I wanted to get involved.

Along with the Community Walk Organizer, we kicked off the inaugural walk (along with 40 other walks across America) over the Golden Gate Bridge last Saturday. SCT Now supports special operative teams which collect evidence against perpetrators, and bring them to justice with local authorities. Their belief is that if they address the demand side of the business, sex trafficking can be eliminated. 

The efforts of a single operative team will do more to save children than millions of dollars put toward rescuing victims.  Even a handful of new convictions will become a strong deterrent to buyers heretofore undeterred.  A predator pays as little as $25 for 15 minutes of sex with a child.  For the same amount of money, a 4-man team of operatives can be placed on the field to stop him (Source: SCT Now website).

On September 26th, very person walking, or who supported a walker, gave the victims of sex trafficking a chance. A chance to find a way out, a chance to find a life where dignity and respect are paramount. Thank you to all friends and family who supported SCT Now, and gave a girl a chance.

Restoring Faith in NYC

Did you know that:

·New York has been determined as a major entry point for trafficking of human beings? (U.S. Department of State, 2002)
·Recent press highlights the degree of sex trafficking in New York and lack of survivor support as a core issue? (Various newspaper clippings; Stop Human Trafficking NY, 2008)

I didn’t know these facts, until I was fortunate enough to sit down with Faith Huckel (Executive Director, Restore NYC) on my last trip into NYC. While exploring potential partners for the GVNF Anti-Trafficking Fund, I came across this impressive organization, which provides support to survivors of sex trafficking. On September 18th, Courtney Montague (Executive Director, GVNF) and I met with Faith in NYC to understand more about her organization and their fight against sex trafficking in NYC.

Like myself, Faith is part of the growing community of people outraged by the epidemic of sex trafficking, and embarked on her own response to the issue by setting up Restore NYC (non-profit) in 2004. Faith and three friends developed the concept around a kitchen table, and in a remarkably short period of time, established what is known today as Restore NYC. Restore provides aftercare services for internationally sex trafficked women in NYC. In fact, Faith informed us that it is the only organization solely focused on providing long-term aftercare services for international survivors of sex trafficking in NYC. I was shocked to hear that sex trafficking enslaves thousands of women in New York, and the numbers are growing.

I was impressed by Faith’s commitment to the cause, and unwavering focus on the support and rehabilitation of the survivors. Faith provided us with the legal, physical, mental, societal and financial implications of sex-trafficking for the victims, and generously shared numerous resources for us (which I will share with you in the coming weeks). Restore’s long-term plan is to open NYC’s first safe-house for victims of sex-trafficking.

This meeting was important on many levels – understanding the issue of sex-trafficking on a domestic level, becoming familiar with implications for victims who don’t have proper rehabilitation services, but most importantly, meeting Faith Huckel, and realizing the synergies between both our missions. I am posting the details of our meeting on this blog to provide an example of how one person, just like you and I, can respond to the issue of sex trafficking in such a substantial way. If one person can make this type of impact, just imagine what would happen if we all were motivated to take action, like Faith did?

A Night of Hopes & Dreams With Somaly Mam

Hero isn't a word I use lightly. It's reserved for an individual who has overcome almost impossible odds and prevailed. More than simply prevailing, though, a hero is an individual who, against all odds, commits acts of remarkable courage. Somaly Mam is my hero, and on September 17th, 2009, I was privileged to attend "A Night of Hopes & Dreams," in her honor, in NYC.

For those of you not familiar with Somaly Mam, she overcame child sexual slavery in the brothels of Cambodia, to dedicate her life to saving other victims of sexual slavery in Cambodia. In the last 10 years, she has literally saved thousands of children and women who had been victims of sex trafficking. It was remarkable to hear her speak, and witness her grace, courage and loving spirit fill the room. What I find so extraordinary about my hero is that she never limited herself by playing into the fear she most undoubtedly felt. She understands that love is worth the risk, and lives in her complete truth, accepting her past, and using her experience to make the lives of everyone around her better.

The most moving portion of the event was when a young survivor, by the name of Day Le, sang a haunting song to open the evening. While I couldn't understand the words, I could feel the meaning. Pain, shame, redemption, resilience. Truly amazing.

Late last week I spoke to the Executive Director, Bill Livermore, of the Somaly Mam Foundation about the kind of support services offered to the survivors. Their approach is holistic in nature, encompassing everything from basic needs like food and shelter, to job training and education. If the survivors who spoke at the event were any indication of the effectiveness of their rehabilitation model, it certainly appears that it is working very well.

I can't think of many crimes more heinous then the sex trafficking and slavery of women and children. Somaly Mam has responded to this epidemic by giving hope, love, stability and education to those young women and children who have been violated sexually, physically and mentally. As I continue to work with GVNF to develop our response to the growing issues around sex trafficking, I will hold my experiences from this evening close to my heart. It was clear to me after attending "A Night for Hopes & Dreams," that with the right support services, survivors of sex trafficking can not only overcome their tragedy, but also flourish, just like my hero.

The Journey Begins...

The partnership with GVNF was born back in June when I was fortunate enough to spend a week at the Be The Change social entrepreneurship course, led by the Founder of Global Volunteer Network, Colin Salisbury. 

I came to the course knowing two things -- 1) I have zero tolerance for injustice, and 2) I can't imagine a more heinous crime than sex trafficking and sexual slavery of children and women. Colin, and the Executive Director of the Foundation (Courtney Montague) shared my passion, and the framework of the GVN Anti-Trafficking Fund was born. The development of this Fund is already proving to be a journey which has, and will, be a vehicle to meet like minded people refusing to ignore the growing epidemic of sex trafficking. I know my research and travels will expose me first hand to the atrocities of sex trafficking, and the strength and resilience of the survivors. 

Progress has already been made through the identification of potential partner organizations, and a upcoming site visit to a safe house in Chiang Mai, Thailand. We intend to build a sex trafficking awareness campaign, give a platform to hero organizations, and raise money to support specific programs providing assistance, job training and rehabilitation to the survivors of sex trafficking/slavery. 

Never before has one of my favorite quotes rang so true:

"You must be the change you wish to see in the world." Gandhi

I'm ready to be the change.