2010.new year.what next?

We’re only 66 days into the Freedom For Alice project and this ‘make a difference & help abolish modern day slavery’ mountain is looking bigger than ever. The purpose of this blog is to inform others about Human Trafficking, (especially within Australia) and to document my journey to see if one person can REALLY make a difference. Honestly to say it’s been an overwhelming 66 days would be a huge understatement.

There are an estimated 27 million people in slavery right now. Today. All around the world. Including our own backyards. 27 million people... there are 22 million people living in Australia. Imagine our entire nation enslaved...& add 5million! It’s a mind bending concept. So I wanted 27 million victims to be more than a number to me. I wanted to hear their stories, see their faces and somehow connect to the reality of their lives. I began to watch movies about Human Trafficking...needless to say these films alter you.

I started ‘light’ and watched the movie ‘Taken’. It’s an action movie really focused around Sex Trafficking. There was one absolutely heart wrenching scene where they auction the girls like cattle...all I could think was we MUST not give up fighting for them...

Next I watched ‘Human Trafficking’...it’s a TV mini drama and 3 hours later, felt pretty overwhelmed! It was by far the most confronting film I watched, I’m not sure if I could sit through it again...however I had to play & pause the speech at the end so I could write it all down, a highlight to say the least:

"No sensible person believes that slavery could happen in the 21st century far less on our shores. We couldn’t be more wrong... slave traffickers around the world have rediscovered how profitable is it to buy and sell people. Human Trafficking has emerged as a tragic whiplash at the economic transition that has occurred over the past several years in Eastern Europe and perhaps most importantly we must face the fact that none of this horror would be possible if our culture didn't create a demand for it. We need to realise that modern day slavery is only occurring because we choose to ignore it."

- Human Trafficking Film

My third film was ‘The Jammed' focusing on Trafficking in Australia. Watching scenes shot on streets I’ve walked down was like watching a disturbing evil arrive on my doorstep.

Finally I watched the ‘Not For Sale’ documentary which was very encouraging because it highlighted people around the world who through innovation, passion and dedication and truly making a difference rescuing lives and restoring futures.

I’ve got two more films to go but I might wait a while to watch them...these kind of viewings are intense, emotional and difficult to deal with. In saying that I highly recommend them, especially if you also want to peel back the statistics and encounter the reality of this horrific injustice.

Currently I’m reading Stop The Traffik by Steve Chalke & Cherie Blair...it’s such incredibly useful and insightful book I plan to rant and rave about it in another blog...in the meantime find yourself a copy!

There is much to be done. Many books to read, things to say and actions to take. For the Freedom For Alice project there’d drawings to be done and MONEY to raise...I’m going to give it all I’ve got because:

2010...sounds like a year to be a VOICE for those who have none
2010...sounds like a year for EVERYDAY ordinary people to change the world.
2010...sounds like a year for FREEDOM!

(still convinced we ordinary people can do extraordinary things.)

faith.hope.love.
Fyona

Hope Concert

Yesterday we had the privilege of attending and selling our products at Hope Concert in Shellharbour, NSW.

The event raised money for Zoe Children’s Home which rescues children who are at risk of have being sold into prostitution or slavery; orphaned children & those who are victims of other heinous crimes and abuse.

It was an awesome night with a fantastic presentation about the issues concerning modern day slavery. We launched our brand new card range & raised a total of $314.55 for Zoe Children’s Home...that is enough to provide housing, medication, health care, education, clothing, food and drinking water for a child in Thailand for 3 months...pretty satisfying stuff.

Thankyou everyone who got behind the event and made it such a success!

Slavery isn’t decreasing...it’s getting worse.

All over the world, today, RIGHT NOW 27 million people are in slavery...I can’t fathom that figure...but this may help: that’s double that of any other time in human history.

Slavery isn’t decreasing...it’s getting worse.

About 85% are females and over 13 million are children. Today’s slave trade earns more than Starbucks, Google & Nike COMBINED each year. It is the single fastest growing and most lucrative industry that exists today. No nation is exempt, no content untouched, uninvolved or slave free...In America all of the major cities have houses that hold women who have been trafficked into slavery, forced into a life of being beaten, raped, and prostitution, servicing an average of 20 to 40 men each day.

“History will reflect upon this in the same light as the holocaust. Modern slavery will go down as the single worst human rights violation to ever take place at such a grand level. Statistically, it is almost impossible for any one of us to not have items in our houses that have slave hands have touched.” Ronda Gupton-Pruett

Just as we have heard the injustices of the past and looked to where our ancestors were, I have no doubt that our grandchildren will one day read about these 27 million lives and then look to us and ask where were we? what did we do? Right now much of this issue is an unknown to us, a modern inconvenience amongst our comfortable, self serving world. However time passing has a way of highlighting the real priorities...do we really want to be a part of a society that piggy backs off the misery of slavery?

So many people are still unaware of modern day slavery. Being informed ourselves so that we may inform others is a powerful tool against these injustices. Big world changing events start from something small, a thought, a conversation, an encouragement...so don’t deny the world of the one small simple thing you can do.

The following is a clip of Justin Dillion (Call+Response film director) speaking at the annual state-wide Christian Life Conference about the danger of human trafficking.

Slavery Is Unacceptable

Jamie Brandt posted this quote on twitter today: 'Slavery is unacceptable. It was unacceptable yesterday, its unacceptable today, and will continue to be unacceptable tomorrow.'

Both films, Call+Response and Amazing Grace came to mind when I read it...and a deep sense that we no longer have the option to do nothing...

Call+Response

It was only 4 days after the decision to start the Freedom For Alice project was made that I saw this life changing film: Call+Response. In my experience, few things in life have resounded within me as this film, this call and my desire to respond have done. Had I not already awoken to the need to start this project, I am certain I would have been after the 2 hours spent sitting in the cinema.

About the Film:

‘CALL+RESPONSE is a first of its kind feature documentary film that reveals the world’s 27 million dirtiest secrets: there are more slaves today than ever before in human history.

CALL+RESPONSE goes deep undercover where slavery is thriving from the child brothels of Cambodia to the slave brick kilns of rural India to reveal that in 2007, Slave Traders made more money than Google, Nike and Starbucks combined.

Luminaries on the issue such as Cornel West, Madeleine Albright, Daryl Hannah, Julia Ormond, Ashley Judd, Nicholas Kristof, and many other prominent political and cultural figures offer first hand account of this 21st century trade. Performances from Grammy-winning and critically acclaimed artists including Moby, Natasha Bedingfield, Cold War Kids, Matisyahu, Imogen Heap, Talib Kweli, Five For Fighting, Switchfoot, members of Nickel Creek and Tom Petty’s Heartbreakers, Rocco Deluca move this chilling information into inspiration for stopping it.

Music is part of the movement against human slavery. Dr. Cornel West connects the music of the American slave fields to the popular music we listen to today, and offers this connection as a rallying cry for the modern abolitionist movement currently brewing.’ – Call+Response

The film is currently screening in America, but special screenings can be requested via the website.

Visit the website: http://www.callandresponse.com/

Call+Response: its more than facts and figures, these are people, this is unjust and this is happening now...if you missed out on the film, watch this. the Freedom For Alice project seeks to help people such as these....

Shop & become an Ambassador of Freedom...

Today (thanks to the wonderful world of twitter) I stumbled upon this magnificent site http://www.rijigreen.com/ An online store selling beautiful things created by human trafficking victims who are now experiencing freedom and purpose.

About RIJI Green:

"RIJI Green recognizes human trafficking/modern-day slavery is the third largest crime in world. Slavery is mainly caused by poverty and lack of economic opportunities. RIJI Green provides economic opportunities for survivors and at risk people of trafficking. All of RIJI Green customers are Ambassadors of Freedom.

RIJI Green provides a new sustainable dignify life for former slaves and without customers they cannot prosper with integrity. Your purchases offer hope for people who were once oppressed and abused for profit. Now the survivors and their children no longer live in poverty and fear.

RIJI Green is a solution to that problem, however due to the economy, sales are extremely low. Without sales, there is no work for these women, which puts them in danger of not being able to support themselves or their family. These women don't want donations, they want to work.

Thank you for being part of their lives and movement to end 21st century slavery."


What an honour it is to be able to support these women by purchasing their products and setting them up for a bright future.

I can’t wait until payday...this little bag is going to be mine!

Visit www.rijigreen.com and become an Ambassadors of Freedom.

welcome to the Freedom For Alice project

Here we stand in the 21st Century with all the great wars behind us. All the great causes fought for and won. All the great stands for truth, justice and equality already made. We live in the wake of great men and women who did the unthinkable and changed the world. We have a voice but nothing to speak up for, we have a fight in us but nowhere to take it....at least that’s what we thought.....

Until we discovered that modern-day slavery is the fastest growing and second largest criminal industry in the world... there are more slaves now than ever in past history. There are over 27 million people worldwide who are bought and sold as slaves - predominantly for the sex trade. The overwhelming majority are female and about half of them are children…as young as 4 years old.

Suddenly we have our war, our fight to be won, a stand to make...these times are exciting, these times are dangerous...these times are NOW and they are ours for the taking.

It’s all a bit overwhelming though. Can one person really make a difference? Can one non-rock star, non-celebrity, non-wealthy person actually stand up against this?

Edmund Burke said ‘The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.’ The Freedom For Alice project is about someone deciding to do something. Something small, something ordinary, something simple...but never the less, something that will change the lives of others and thus change the world.

Our project asks the question: if we take a stand, raise our voice and use what’s available to us...can we change the world?

Our purpose is to find out.


the Freedom For Alice project has four steps:

1. Draw, write, and create delightful stationary products ready for adventure.
2. Sell products via online stores, through retail outlets and via market/event product tables.
3. 100% of profits are donated to the A21 Campaign. Bringing freedom to those who are enslaved.
4. To be a voice for those who have none. To tell their stories, report information and bring awareness via zines, print media, blogs & other online avenues.


How can you be involved?

1. Purchase Freedom For Alice products and help us finance freedom for Human Trafficking victims.
2. Read the information on our blogs, website, zines etc. Get informed about these issues, become informed and aware so you can help others do the same...
3. Think of how you can use your creativity so that you too can be an ordinary person doing something, anything, to stand against this injustice.

It’s an adventure. It’s all a bit unknown. It’s never been done...to actually do the unthinkable and abolish injustice in the 21st Century.
...so let’s give it a go.

Fyona
xxx



The A21 Campaign: http://www.thea21campaign.org/
Freedom For Alice: http://www.freedomforalice.com/
Twitter: www.twitter.com/FreedomForAlice
the Freedom For Alice project is an initiative of A Party For Alice, established since 2007.