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