Modern Day Slaves in India

A family desperate for work, finds themselves among the slave trade in India. Mother of three, Durgawati says that she was desperate for a $22 advance, yet she has been working for three months with no pay. They endure backbreaking work every day making bricks to build buildings. Her three young children are considered part of the "work force" as well.
Follow this link to watch the video. 

Post by Erica McCauley

Invisible Children: The 25 Campaign

 

For the last 25 years, thousands of people in central Africa have been silenced by the LRA. So for 25 hours, thousands of participants around the world will go silent so that the victims of the LRA are heard. Money raised from the 25 event will fund The Invisible Children Protection Plan and bring life saving communication and rehabilitation projects to the victims of the LRA.

 

Follow this link to learn about how you can join the 25 Campaign. 

It is Here

 This link gives a description of two women forced into sexual slavery right here in the United States: Detroit, MI. Illegally brought into the United States from false job offers in the Ukraine, the young women were physically forced to work in a strip club and service customers. We too easily forget that sex trafficking is not just a problem in the world 'out there,' but may be next door.

Virtual Slavery Map

Check out this interactive virtual-map of documented modern-day slavery reports from Not for Sale Campaign. The stories/statistics are harrowing.

This is what Not for Sale Campaign has to say to introduce the map and its relevance:
"Welcome to the movement to end slavery. Slavery thrives in the shadows. An estimated 27 million live in bondage today – yet we know about the plight of so few of them. The battle to end slavery begins by revealing it."

Ending Homelessness?

In this article 'Ending Homeless: a Model that just Might Work,' author Pam Fessler gives a heartening look at the overwhelming cause of ending homelessness. A group that started in NYC over 30 years called Common Ground has begun to make advances in their strategies that are producing serious results. Common Ground director Rosanne Haggerty began to notice, despite their best efforts to keep homeless shelters open and available, people were still living on the streets. Haggerty decided to bring in former special ops commander in the army, Becky Kanis, to help 'get things done.' Kanis began a 'into the streets' project that involved seeking out the homeless population rather than waiting for the homeless to come to the shelters. They began a 'vulnerability' ratio from 0-8, hoping to bring in the severest of cases who tend to not be able to help themselves. The shift has moved to bringing the homeless in on their own terms. And since this project began, Haggerty says the number of homeless in times square has gone down from 55 to 0. This is a promising statistic...but there are so many places in NYC yet to reach...and other cities are just beggining to implement the model. Our Country has a long way to go to ending homelessness...with other issues such as affordable housing to contend with, as well. But, the efforts of Common Ground are inspiring and hopeful.

From Grant Swanson

CNN Fights Against Human Slavery!

CNN International launches a year-long project to expose the depths of human trafficking. For the first week of the initiative, CNN International will look into a story about human trafficking every day exposing those who use traded human lives for work, sex, and other exploitation. Their first story begins with an enslaved woman from Uganda working for Gap Inc. This program is intended to last for a year. CNN International will uncover the truths of human trafficking, while enlightening their audience with what is being done to help. The link above describes the ins and outs of the program, whereas this link is a follow up article.

From Erica McCauley

IJM's Project Lantern

International Justice Mission's Project Lantern has succeed beyond anyone's imagination. With funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation, Project Lantern went into the Philippines to start putting an end to human trafficking there. They had a measly goal over their 4-year plan; however, they were able to lower exploited minors by 79%. They also so many results such as, an increase in shelters for exploited children, increased law enforcement, and involvement in the cases by the authorities to make a change. This link provides a more detail explanation of the successes, as well as a complete description of Project Lantern.

From Erica McCauley

Presidential Proclamation on Human Slavery

Check out President Obama's speech from Dec. 22 on human slavery. Here is an excerpt:

"Human trafficking is a global travesty that takes many forms.  Whether forced labor or sexual trafficking, child soldiering or involuntary domestic servitude, these abuses are an affront to our national conscience, and to our values as Americans and human beings.  There is no one type of victim -- men and women, adults and children are all vulnerable.  From every corner of our Nation to every part of the globe, we must stand firm in defense of freedom and bear witness for those exploited by modern slavery."

Malaysian laws on domestic servitude

A crackdown on domestic servitude is implemented in Malaysia after years of allowing domestic maids to work in private homes. After many reports of abuse, rape, and violence, the Malaysian government has decided to ban the working of domestic slaves within private homes. After the ban, many private home owners were concerned with their schedules. A woman states that she has had to pick up the slack by quitting her job, to take care of the chores and her family. There were refugee camps for the domestic maids that escaped from their work. Some girls as young as 14 years old showed up after the ban.

Josh explains 'CHAINED'

Listen to what senior Josh Bailey has to say about forced labor and the corresponding button 'CHAINED':