More Pictures From the Philippines

More Pictures have been rolling in from the Round Home opening.


Rob and the Girls



A view from the therapy tree house.



Making up for lost time.

U.S. Staff Party.

The Love146 U.S.A. staff took yesterday afternoon to celebrate. Not everyone could be with us but we had a wonderful time in the sunshine. I wanted to share some of the pics.  

(Just kidding)

Kellen (our FCN, CC and Task Force Intern) trying to help decorate. She was a bit ashamed of her puff ball but we thought it looked just fine.

Lamont Hiebert (Co-founder). The pink puff was hanging from a tree limb 

but I thought it worked quite well as a hat.

Music provided by my favourite person on the planet 

(and luckily my husband), Jon Rodgers.

Gathering around Ben's (our media specialist) computer to look at videos and pics 

coming in from the Philippines.

Happy Day.

Dancing

The girls put on a dance performance for the opening.

The Round Home

A place of dreams

Photos - The girls moving in.

These were sent to us a couple days ago from Dr. Velazco.

A home built of Love.

Unfurled wings

“The first time her laughter unfurled its wings in the wind, we knew that the world would never be the same”-Andreas.

In just two days, a piece of land that only a year ago was nothing but an overgrown, barren field, will be filled with the laughter and singing of young girls. It will be filled with the sounds of home. And the world will never be the same. For any of us.

I am currently in Bangkok, on the way to the Philippines for the opening of our new safehome this Tuesday. If you have Twitter and want to follow along, I will be tweeting (never thought I’d ever say that) over the next few days and during the opening ceremonies. http://twitter.com/ROBLOVE146 We will hopefully be able to upload some video and pictures to the blog as well.

We would love for you to join us, as we celebrate the unfurling of wings!

-Rob
President and Co-founder
Love146

Twitter Results.

To all of those  who Tweeted (apparently over 76,000 Tweets!) on behalf of the children we serve, Thank You So Much!

Congratulations go to: 

Charity:Water

and 

Operation of Hope

Hugh Jackman will be splitting the 100K between these two worthy organizations.

Desirea

Tweeting Today (and Yesterday) for a $100K

For those of you who haven't heard, Hugh Jackman is giving away $100K to a charity but he wants his Twitter friends to convince him which one. So, many of us Tweeted yesterday from 1:46pm - 2:46pm about our passion for the children we serve and how this money can change lives. 

We're doing it again today (today is the last day). If your interested, Tweet Hugh Jackman (@RealHughJackman) and let him know that abolition is possible.

I have to say, I was pretty blown away by reading other peoples Tweets. Here are just a few:

"If it were your own child, you'd give more than $100,000 to stop it."

"This is us. Collectively shouting out. To end child sex slavery. Please help LOVE146."I

"In the next hour you will be hearing from staff (like myself) and supporters an organization called Love146"

"1.2 million children are trafficked per year.LOVE146 is out to put an end to that!! #love146"

Thanks to everyone who is spreading the word!

Abolition!

Desirea

Finally!

I’ve sat for two days (in between emails, deadlines, editing, low hums of needs to be met) with no words.

7 girls will be coming home on April 28^th more will be added soon. The first Love146 safehome we have built from the ground up.

I am a co-founder, I remember the beginning of our story but our story has grown to more people, to part of a raging movement, to thousands of children. And now 7 girls are coming home to something we (us + you = we) have built. I have no words. I have cried and laughed. But no words.

It’s time to celebrate! To jump, to dance, to scream like you’re at a rock concert.

 

I found words from someone else’s mouth.

[Excerpt taken from Direct Orders by Anis Mojgani]

 

Rock out like you were just given the last rock n’ roll record on earth and the minutes are counting down to flames

Rock out like the streets are empty except for you, your bicycle and your headphones

Rock out like you just escaped an evil orphanage to join a Russian circus

Rock out like your hero was fallen and you were spinning your limbs until they burst into a flaming pyre of remembrance

Rock out like you are enslaved in the south and dancing, it’s all that you have to know who you are

Rock out like it’s raining outside and you’ve got a girl to run through it with

Rock out like you’re playing football in the mud and your washing machine is not broken

Rock out like you threw your window open on your honeymoon because you wanted the whole world to know what love is

Rock out like Jimmy has returned carrying brand new guitar stings

Rock out like the mangos are in season

Rock out like this was the last weekend, like these were the last words like you don’t ever want to forget how!

We’re inviting you to Rock out with us. April 28^th, throw a party, join the celebration. We will have a video for you to download. Don’t ask for money don’t ask for anything, just Rock. We’re shutting down the office that afternoon, but we will post videos from the field on our blog (ok, we can’t promise that, given the technical challenges we have had in the past but we can promise to try).

Abolition is happening.

 

With joy (and a rock and roll soul),

Desirea

Co-founder/Creative Director, Love146

April, Ahhh.......

Living in the North East, all I can say is – thank God it’s spring!



By the time April rolls around winter seems to have lasted about 1,000 years and then finally after your ready to believe that the witch has taken over Narnia you see a blossom (usually a crocus, something small but delicious) and warmth floods your heart. You remember that life begins again and celebration and gratefulness begin its blossom into fullness. 

This month celebration greets us through Easter and Passover. If you would like to send an e-card while donating to the work of Love146 please view our selection.  You can add a personal message and choose the date it will be sent. 
Happy Spring.



With joy,



Desirea Rodgers


Co-founder/Creative Director, Love146

P.S. Leave a comment and let me know your favourite design! 

To send an E-card to a loved one, go here.