Day 44: Michigan

Shop For A Purpose!

Women At Risk, International (WAR, Int'l) is an organization providing not only safety and security, but an opportunity for survivors to earn money by making and selling products . . . not their bodies. Through value-added intervention projects and programs, WAR, Int'l offers women and children a new life.  While WAR, Int'l is known for their work in fighting human trafficking, they also provide rehabilitating work for women facing other issues, such as domestic violence. 

If you are interested in shopping with a purpose, WAR Int'l has an online shop, WAR Chest Boutique, where you can purchase goods made by the survivors. The Boutique has a wide variety of options including: jewelry, home accessories, chocolates, and more.

Please check out the Boutique and enjoy your Shopping! 

Day 43: Right to Shop

I spent a lot of time this week discussing how our shopping impacts human trafficking. I want to continue this trend as there are many organizations/individuals that are passionate about helping trafficking survivors. These organizations provide survivors with a different means in which to take care of themselves.  The following week will start with us traveling to Michigan, where I will introduce you to a great organization and the wonderful things they are doing to help trafficking survivors.

Have a good Sunday!

Day 40: 3 C's

What do I mean by the 3 C's? I am referring to Cotton, Coltan, and Coffee.  Cotton is found in a great deal of products, as is coltan. For those who do not know what coltan is, it is a metallic ore that can be refined into tantalum, which is then used in many electronic devices. Coffee is coffee and used to wake people up all around the world.

Cotton, coltan, and coffee are important products used by Americans daily. How do we, as Americans ensure that the product we are using is fair trade? Many companies label their products fair trade, but what about the companies that do not? There are several organizations that allow you to find your slavery footprint or hold companies accountable. I recommend looking into them! 

Day 39: Freedom Seal

On August 1, 2014, Rani Hong, a trafficking survivor and the CEO of the Troni Foundation, introduced the launching of The Freedom Seal. The seal "will certify companies that actively raise awareness of modern-day slavery, provide support for trafficking survivors, and work to eradicate modern-day slavery within their business and supply chains."

Hopefully companies will step up and become certified! 

 

 

 

Day 38: Forced Labor and the Goods

Below you will find a list of items that are known to be produced using forced labor. Many of these items are used by each of us on a daily or weekly basis.  

According to Global Freedom Center, "In specific countries, goods that are known to be produced using forced labor include: cotton, bricks, garments, sugarcane, carpets, cattle, coal, gold, rice, chestnuts, cocoa, diamonds, embroidered textiles, shrimp, stones, textiles, timber, tobacco, artificial flowers, beans, cement, charcoal, Christmas decorations, coca, coffee, corn, cottonseed, electronics, fireworks, footwear, granite, gravel, iron, jade, nails, palm oil, palm thatch, peanuts, castor beans, pornography, rubber, rubies, sesame, sunflowers, teak, tilapia, toys and wheat."

 

Day 37: Slave Free Day

Have you ever thought about what your day to day activities are and how they may involve slavery?  I think about this often. I think about it when I eat a piece of chocolate, when I use my computer or phone, drink coffee, or get my nails done. This week I would like you to think about what you do and eat for one day, and then find out where and/or if slavery may have occurred within the supply chain before the product reached your hands.  

The US State Department has produced a document that introduces you to slavery and how you are touched by it daily. Please visit the following link to read the document: http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/194922.pdf

Wishing you a slave free day! 

 

Day 36: August

It's August already! Hard to believe the year is almost over.  It's back to school time, the end of summer for many, a month of warmth for most, and time to enjoy those last days on the lake or trips to the river. There will be a lot of back to school shopping, outings with friends, and much more. With this being said, I ask all of you to educate yourself about human trafficking and if you have children, communicate with them as well. When you are at the mall shopping, getting your nails done, buying new electronics, or looking for an after school nanny, please pay attention! 

To find out more about recognizing and preventing human trafficking, please visit: http://blog.usa.gov/post/47547632041/how-to-recognize-and-prevent-human-trafficking

Wishing you all well!