Human Trafficking Awareness

If you have followed my blog for awhile, you know that Human Trafficking is one of my concerns. (See July 31, Oct 15 and Oct 20)

Next Sunday January 11, 2009 is Human Trafficking Awareness Day. Well, I'm aware. Now, I am wondering, what now? So, I did some surfing on the subject and came up with several places that give more information. I'm almost ashamed to say that one of the sites (ashamed because it never occurred to me that they would have any information on the subject) was from the United States Department of State website. It has a page on "How can I recognize Trafficking Victims?"


http://www.state.gov/g/tip/rls/fs/08/106805.htm.

To me this is something I could do. I get very frustrated by being shown problems and not being able to DO something. Though, I admit, if I found such a person, I'm not sure what I would do. Awareness is a start anyhow.


There is another web site that gives information on things you can do. They give many different ideas that you can read about.

http://covchurch.org/humantrafficking/engaging-for-transformation/ways-to-engage#hands


Well, I didn't mean to be so depressing. I'll return Monday with something HAPPY. Until then:


B

Isaiah 58:6(MSG): "This is the kind of fast day I'm after: to break the chains of injustice, get rid of exploitation in the workplace, free the oppressed, cancel debts."

Poverty and Human Trafficking

On October 15, I jumped on the band wagon of Blog Action Day where bloggers posted about Poverty. My focus was on beads purchased from sweat shops. I referenced a previous post on July 31, "In America?", where I mentioned the program "Breaking the Chains" of slavery and poverty and how it related to my jewelry making. http://bevsjewelry.blogspot.com/2008_07_01_archive.html

This morning I read more about the subject in an article in my Google reader. They shared a web site that provides direct help to people who have been rescued from and are surviving modern slavery. The problem is that these people are caught up in a vicious circle. They are poor and are seeking a way out. They are lured into schemes that promise them money for a fair day's work. Then they can not get out of debt because they are now caught in the web of modern slavery. The help for these people must include a real way to gain economic freedom for themselves and their family.

The web site mentioned is http://www.madebysurvivors.com/ Here you can purchase items made by survivors of Human Trafficking. They have jewelry, bags and clothing available. Now I have not purchased things from the site but recommend that you at least check it out.

The words of Helen Keller really ring true.

B