One thing is for sure… my frequent flier miles have really started to pile up.
In conversing with my fellow Not For Salers it’s apparent that we are all quite often asked two questions: (1) How do you ‘handle’ such a grueling issue like modern-day slavery on a day-to-day basis? and (2) How do you hold up in light of all of those oh-so-fun red-eye flights/that busy schedule?
As I see it the answer is one and the same.
Let me explain, we at Not For Sale strive to be a solutions-based organization. Continually working to locate, cultivate, promote, support and connect best practices in the fight to end human trafficking. Undoubtedly we see the grave need to help create an international abolitionist network – even if crewing gum and duct tape are required. And the truth is that through this process we are constantly meeting folks just like you who inspire us. Your amazing work pushes us to do the same; we all have a role to play to ensure that no one is for sale in our world.
This is what I have come across in my whirlwind travel through Australia and New Zealand.
I am continually (and pleasantly) surprised with the amazing roll that young adults and youths are playing in our abolitionist movement. No greater example of this are the amazing people at Vision Generation, a youth-focused program run by World Vision Australia, where young adults such as Shae Spry and Elliot Costello (and VGen’s entire merry band of abolitionists) are mobilizing hundreds of schools to raise up the issue of modern-day slavery. The same can be said about the Oaktree Foundation an inspiring –entirely youth-run organization– based in Melbourne that is focusing on human trafficking in their advocacy work in schools and universities.
The list continues from down under and I could write until my fingers are black and blue, but I’m tired because I just got off a red-eye and have a meeting in the morning… just more people and actions to be inspired by.
So, from the road I say keep up the truly inspiring work everyone! You are all making a difference in the fight for freedom.
Unjust circumstances put Ellie into juvenile hall. She promised that once she was free, she would defend other young women who could fall victim to unscrupulous people.
I am currently in Peru with Dave Batstone visiting our team Generacion. One of the topics during our conversation is the importance of building a vocational center. The entrepreneur spirit exists in the children and teenagers that we are meeting, but being a victim of slavery and violence has taught them that making money is only possible through exploitation.
Between 70,000 and 93,000 workers go each year into Japan as guests and temporary workers. These workers are mainly from Vietnam, China, the Philippines, and Brazil. The National Labor Committee reports that these temporary workers are cheated, afraid, and forced to work for Toyota Prius:
