Upcoming Event: Getting to the Root

It has been wonderful to hear the ways the SOLD Intern blog is impacting people. Thank you for sending emails of support and sharing stories when you see us around campus or community.

The SOLD Interns are shifting into phase II of our internship. The past few months have been a time of studying, dialoging and educating ourselves on the issue of child prostitution. We’ve also spent time reading up on The SOLD Project's mission, philosophy and programs. Armed with knowledge and passion, we will now begin hosting various educational events in our respective cities.

We encourage you to check back often to see what’s happening in your area!

The following is a Facebook announcement re-post:

The STOP Human Trafficking Club will be screening two documentaries that give a voice to the voiceless. Both documentaries address the root causes of trafficking and the approach of two different organizations in preventing vulnerable target populations from becoming victims to trafficking. Two students who worked with the organizations over this past summer will also facilitate a short discussion afterward and answer any questions.

When: Monday, November 16

Where: Morse B-104

(Monterey Institute of International Studies)

City: Monterey, CA

Time: 6:00 – 8:00 pm

The SOLD Project Documentary: Thailand (www.thesoldproject.com)
In the summer of 2007, The SOLD Project journeyed through Thailand with a common mission: to expose the plight of children trapped by prostitution. The documentary is a collection of short films that expose the truth behind child prostitution in Thailand and the hope that exists in prevention.

"Sisters of the Himalaya" by Empowering Women in Nepal
The organization works to empower disadvantaged women (mostly from rural areas of Nepal) by training them to be trekking guides and providing them work opportunities after the training. The ice-climbing training is an advanced training for those who are already working as guides, mostly as a leadership, empowerment exercise.

For more information on this event contact: Brandon Brunner, Brandon.brunner@miis.edu

Matching Grant Update

Thank You! Thank You!! Thank You!!!

Because of YOUR generous response to the matching grant challenge The SOLD Project has raised close to $10,000! The money received will enable SOLD to expand operational and program activities in Thailand through the building of a drop-in center.

The center will be used to hold after-school activities for students, to build relationships with local families enabling SOLD to be a resource for them, to house long-term volunteers, and serve as our Thai headquarters by including staff offices.

The realization of this facility will greatly increase SOLD’s ability to reach more families, serve the community, and prevent more children from ending up in a lifestyle of prostitution.

Your generosity has made this possible. We thank you!

To learn more visit The SOLD Project or view the Matching Grant announcement.

October Call to Action: Help Stop Known Sex Offenders from Harming Children Overseas

One of the reasons sexual exploitation of children flourishes in the open is due to a lack of legal enforcement of this crime. Many countries, Thailand included, have yet to create, implement and enforce laws that protect children from sex predators. A recent article published by Time, “A Move to Register Sex Offenders Globally,” spoke to this concern.

In the article, author Deena Guzder advocates supporting a bill on the House floor, H.R. 1623, also known as “International Megan’s Law.” If passed, H.R. 1623 will establish communication between international governments and legal bodies to ensure known sex offenders do not harm children overseas. According to Bill sponsor, N.J. Representative, Chris Smith, H.R. 1623 will “alert officials abroad when U.S. sex offenders intend to travel and would encourage other countries to keep sex offender lists and notify American officials about offenders’ U.S. travel plans.”

Lacking legal precedence for the arrest and conviction of the sexual abuse of minors, child sex predators and pedophiles boldly exploit children overseas because they know there are no legal consequences. The passing of H.R. 1623 will change this. One of the key objectives is to create an international sex offender list. Should a known American pedophile commit a sexual act against a minor child in Cambodia, Thailand, Russia, Australia, (etc.) that person can be arrested and tried for their crime(s).

The passing of H.R. 1623 is a key step to establishing a force-able zero-tolerance law against the sexual exploitation of children worldwide. Says Smith, “The buyers of commercial sex must be sensitized to the harm they cause women and girls and to the fact their money fuels modern-day slavery.”

H.R. 1623, “International Megan’s Law,” is set to appear before the House floor (again) this month, October 2009. We, SOLD Interns, are asking you to get involved. Two simple steps is all it takes to express your desire to see children protected around the world and perpetrators of child abuse brought to justice.

We are asking you to contact your House Representative and encourage them to support the passing of H.R. 1623.

Below is a template you can use via email or voicemail:

Dear Representative (Name):

As a constituent in the state of (your state), I am very concerned about the

sexual exploitation of children globally at the hands of known sex offenders. I strongly encourage you to pass H.R. 1623, “International Megan’s Law,” which will create an international sex offender list and foster international communication and cooperation in preventing known sex offenders from harming children overseas.

Thank You,

(your name)

(your city, state)

We thank you for your support and willingness to get involved.

~Susan Tripi DeLano

$10,000 Matching Grant Challenge

Hello Everyone,

Great news from The SOLD Project! In response to a recent update a very GENEROUS donor fronted $10,000 for a matching grant challenge! With a deadline of October 13^th, we must act quickly.

Please read the announcement below, "Christmas in October" and consider what amount you will contribute today. Every little bit helps. Remember, with a matching grant your gift is equaled dollar for dollar, doubling the impact.

$5.00 becomes $10.00

$15.00 becomes $30.00

$30.00 becomes $60.00

$50.00 becomes $100.00

And on and on… before you know it hundreds of gifts of $5.00, $10.00, and $20.00 become a $10,000 reality! Pooling our resources will make a HUGE difference for the expansion of The SOLD Project’s office/drop-in center and programs in Thailand. And that means lots of precious children rescued from a life of forced prostitution.

To get this ball rolling, my husband and I are going to donate $300.00.

$300 + $300 = $600

Only $9,400 to go...We can do this!!

~Susan Tripi DeLano

CHRISTMAS IN OCTOBER

Greetings!

I sit down to write this letter with much excitement. The SOLD Project has been dreaming up a storm and we are excited to share with you (below) some of the projects we have ahead as we continue to ask the question... 'how do we stop child prostitution before it begins?' You can be part of these dreams by helping us fulfill our Christmas in October wish list!

One of our main goals in developing The SOLD Project: Prevention Program is that it become completely Thai run and self sustaining. The first thing on our agenda was to hire Thai staff. Well, not only did we find someone to fill the role of Program Manager, but we found THE PERFECT person! Blah Chermui. Our next goal is to establish ourselves as a non profit organization in Thailand: unfortunately this comes with a large price tag (see below).

The last update on SOLD is that we are beginning to raise funds to build an office/drop-in center. The building would be used for the following: 1) As a drop-in center for students to visit after school for help with homework, English camps, and to hang out with SOLD staff and volunteers 2) SOLD Project Offices and 3) Long Term Volunteer housing. Essentially, this building will further our efforts of relationship building and mentorship for our scholarship students and will allow our staff to easily host events for students in the afternoons/weekends. The estimated cost is $10,000 and could be done by January if the funds are raised quickly.

Our staff, volunteers, board and advisors continue to dream and to not let the size of our dreams get in the way. We have so much to accomplish and at times feel the only thing getting in the way is finances. We are approaching the next stage and are in need of major funding in order to accomplish what needs to be done here. If any of you have relationships to foundations or other sources of funding... we could definitely use your help!

With much hope and appreciation,

Rachel Goble-Carey, Executive Director

and

Rachel Sparks-Graeser, Founder

Dream Big

I've currently read a few articles, watched some documentarie and the movie Human Trafficking. I don't think I'm alone when I say that my strongest initial feelings are grief, horror, sadness, nausea, and an immediate urgency to change the situation. Within the past month I have been delightfully surprised to see and hear of more and more people becoming aware of this issue and trying to figure out ways to end it. I think the most important thing for all of us who are just beginning to scratch the surface of this very complicated global crime is to become extremely educated and use that education to create awareness among our circles of influence. I am so excited to be interacting with people that are so passionate and caring. Lets "Dream Big" people!

Thank you for sharing Dacie's story with us. Everyday as we are going about our lives terrible things like this are happening all over. It's easy to turn a blind eye and ignore the plea of the innocent, but we must all work together to stop children from being raped and exploited as Dacie was. Every small act of love and compassion helps. The SOLD Project has many was to reach out, by making donations and spreading awareness. Thank you everyone for the support, have a blessed day.

The Global Phenomenon

            One of the things that shocks and horrifies me about human trafficking is just what a global phenomenon it is. To prepare for the SOLD Internship, I have watched the films Human Trafficking, Trade and Born into Brothels. In the film, Human Trafficking, children from the United States, the Philippines, the Czech Republic, and other countries are all being trafficked. The film, though fictional, reveals just what a global problem this is. In the movie, Trade, children are trafficked and sold from Mexico, Poland, and Thailand. Born into Brothels is a documentary featuring children from Calcutta, India, who are at risk for being sold or forced into prostitution in the Red Light District.

            Children from all over the world, particularly in developing countries, are at tremendous risk of being sold into slavery, whether sexual or otherwise. It is estimated that there are 27 million slaves in the world today, which is a higher number than any other time in history. As the world becomes evermore interconnected, people are also at risk for exploitation. But there is hope.

            Through the SOLD Project, we seek to raise awareness about this issue, but also to provide hope, particularly to children in Thailand by raising scholarships. Education is a key part of preventing child exploitation and giving them hope and help for the future. 

"Dacie" Age:14

The following excerpt is taken from the book Terrify No More, by Gary A. Haugen

Fourteen years old and on her school break, Dacie began looking for a summer job with her friend Diadra, so they could earn money to help their families.

One day a woman Dacie's mom knew came by and said Dacie could make good money working in a noodle shop in a neighboring country. Dacie eagerly discussed the opportunity with her family. Because they trusted the woman, and because she would be escorting Dacie and Diadra across the border herself, they all agreed it sounded too good for the girls to pass up.

Dacie and Diadra packed their essential belongings and left, carrying with them great expectations. They had no idea of the horrors that awaited them. When they approached the border, the woman met up with a stranger, a man wearing police-uniform pants. The hometown escort helped transfer their things into his car, which was equipped with a police radio.

The man drove them across the border into town, pulling up to a restaurant. He took the girls inside and introduced them to the female manager, who showed them to their room and immediately gave them new clothes to wear: string tops and short skirts.

When Dacie asked about the clothing, the manager said they needed to look sexy for the men who came, because they would be having sex with them.

Dacie and Diadra protested and said they wanted to go home.

The manager insisted they had no choice in the matter; their freedom had been purchased from the man who had delivered them, and they must pay that debt back by earning money from customers for sex.

The brothel manger then performed a horrible and amatuer gynecological exam on Dacie to determine [if] she was a virgin.

Now the [manager] saw before her not an innocent young girl terrified by the thought of having sex with strangers. Instead, she saw an opportunity to make extra cash from the customer who would pay a premium to rape Dacie for the first time. The woman was delighted with her good fortune. She put the word out that she was offering a virgin at her establishment for anyone who would pay the required price, more than $700 U.S. dollars.

Unfortunately for Dacie, they found a willing customer that very night for this fourteen-year old who had never even kissed anyone before. Shaking with fear, Dacie was taken into a room where the customer waited. When the man began to rape her, Dacie cried out so loudly in pain that the man complained about the service. The brothel keeper came in and strapped tape over Dacie's mouth to silence her screams so they wouldn't interfere with the customer's pleasure while he finished with her. But the tragic night wasn't over. Dacie was forced to have sex with seven more strangers that night. (chapter 12, p40-41)

In the world of child prostitution, Dacie's story is not uncommon. Dacie's story is the story of thousands of young girls in Thailand, Cambodia, Japan, China, Russia, Ukraine, Italy, the United States and many other countries around the world. Unlike countless young girls and boys, Dacie's story has an encouraging ending. Dacie was rescued by workers of International Justice Mission.

The SOLD Project exists to help rescue girls like Dacie out of a lifestyle of forced prostitution in Thailand, to provide aftercare for the young girls and boys rescued, and trafficking awareness classes in Thai communities to prevent children from ever ending up in the sex trade.

~Susan Tripi DeLano

If we want a love message to be heard, it has got to be sent out. To keep a lamp burning, we have to keep putting oil in it. Mother Teresa

Hi everyone,
Today is our first meeting as Sold Project interns! I am very excited and a little anxious to see what is in store for us. To get prepared I watched the documentary, Born Into brothels and read the book, Disposable People. Both were very inspiring! I can't wait to get started. There are millions of innocent people all over the world in slavery that desperately need us to be their voice. Let's stand together and bring social justice to our world.
-Ashley Costa

Welcome!

Welcome! Thank you for stopping by. This site is moderated by interns of The Sold Project. The intention of this blog is to:

• Create awareness for the epidemic of child slavery and prostitution occurring in Thailand (and throughout the world)
• Provide a forum for discussion on the factors contributing to the perpetuation of child slavery/prostitution
• Promote upcoming events hosted by SOLD Interns

By choice, 14 activists from across the United States applied for a volunteer internship with The SOLD Project. We are committed to supporting the work of The SOLD Project, educating the public on the reality of child prostitution and human slavery, and working to engage local communities in the fight against the trafficking of children into the sex industry.

It is our goal to use this blog as a means to share our passion and learning’s with you, the reader. In addition, we want to be a resource for readers to educate themselves on the issues surrounding child prostitution and slavery using the links and material provided. Most importantly, we hope to inspire readers to act and to join the abolitionist movement to end human slavery in our lifetime. Each one of us, Interns and readers alike, possess many talents, skills and interests. Combining efforts is the only way to end the tragedies of child prostitution and human slavery.

We want to hear from you! We ask that you, the reader, use this blog to engage the issues surrounding child slavery and child prostitution and begin a dialogue with us. Some posts will be difficult to read, as they will contain facts and experiences from the lives of youth rescued from forced prostitution. While some of what you will read may invoke a strong emotional response we ask that you try to maintain appropriate demeanor and language when responding to Interns' posts or to other readers.

Thank you. We look forward to sharing this journey with you.

In the work together,

SOLD Interns