Love146

New Blog & Website!!!

2009-12-06T17:23:00.003-05:00

We are proud to announce our very new blog, that is conveniently attached to our very new website! We are very excited to have this new platform to keep having the conversations that will help us end child sex slavery and exploitation. We will be ending our blogging through this blog and move fully over to our other system! We hope to see you all over there!

An Incredible Hope

2009-12-04T10:01:00.003-05:00

In the past week I have visited two projects that are directly tackling demand. The first is in Bangkok where a team are out on the streets in the red light districts developing relationships with male sex tourists in the red light districts and the second is working with pimps in a gym in an area in Phnom Penh that is notorious for the foreign pedophiles who come to have sex with young children. Both are faith based organizations who believe that change is possible even for the worst pimp or perputator. This is an incredible thought. At the moment tactics to address demand are often to scare the perpetrators and pimps through law reform and implementation that jails offenders and campaigns such as the ‘Abuse a child in this country, go to jail in yours’ billboards but whilst important this may have limited effect. But this alternative approach challenges the fatalistic notion that rights people off and says that through relationships people can make choices that are better for their families, better for the girls and better for themselves.

Glenn Miles, Director of Asia Prevention

Reaching

2009-11-30T16:42:00.002-05:00

A couple of weeks ago, something different happened. I spoke at a youth event called Generation Conference, where over 1000 young people gathered. The organizers gave each of the young people attending, a Love146 tag to wear as a reminder of a young girl who we know only by number, and the thousands she represents. To see her number worn by so many people was quite moving.

In the midst of a lot of commotion at the Love146 table after I spoke, a girl wearing the number 146 pinned to her shirt walked up to me with tears running down her face. She just simply stared at me, unable to speak. She reverently reached for the number which was pinned over her heart, and placed her hand over it. She wrapped her fingers around the number, clutching it with desperation as if she was trying to reach through time to that young girl in the brothel who wore the same number years ago. She closed her eyes and wept. Was she picturing herself reaching out to hold that young girl who still had a fight left in her eyes? Was she picturing herself pulling “146” out of that glass prison called a brothel?

I was speechless. After what seemed like an eternity, the only words I eventually came up with were; “Thank you.” We both knew. We both understood that this is not the way it was supposed to be for children. And I think we both walked away more determined than ever to change that.

To those of you who care deeply…Thank you.

-Rob

Rob Morris
President
Love146

Follow me on Twitter HERE

Offended Over Breakfast

2009-11-20T18:46:00.002-05:00

We are on vacation in Colorado, visiting friends and family. This morning we went to the very well known “breakfast playground” in the Cherry Creek Mall. If you are from Denver you know what I’m talking about! My son was running around like crazy jumping over the giant bananas and sliding down strips of bacon. I was with him helping him make it up the massive bowl of shredded wheat. My hubby, being the amazing dad + photographer combo, was taking pics of the big climb.

Slowly two mall security guards walked up behind my husband and just stood there. They hovered near my husband for quite a long time. I started to get this frustrated and offended feeling inside me. I could tell they had their eyes on him thinking he was some creep taking pictures of kids. They finally broke the silence and asked him if he was with any of the kids there. My son and I walked over to assure them that my husband was indeed with us.

My gut response to all this was to be offended. As you can imagine, working for Love146 I read stories everyday about sexual abuse, exploitation and horror that children in our world face everyday. And here I am in the mall and MY HUSBAND is being approached like he is a perpetrator of such abuse and perversion!

Then, a slow second thought followed, “Wait Kellen! Isn’t this a good thing? Aren’t you willing to be personally offended or held suspect so that children can be protected?” After that thought my defenses dropped and I was thankful that someone was looking out for the children playing this morning.

So here’s my question: are you willing to be offended so that children can be protected? As a businessman traveling all around the world would you be willing to be suspected and questioned upon your arrival into a place like Cambodia about your intentions during your stay? Would you be willing to report suspicious activity or something you thought might be trafficking with the chance that you might offend an innocent person? Food for thought!

Regarding Thanks – and Giving

2009-11-18T11:00:00.002-05:00

I recently celebrated my 5-year anniversary as an employee of Love146, working in the capacity of finances & bookkeeping. I have had the joy, privilege and responsibility of processing each donation that crosses our path. It is so amazing for me each week to read the letters that accompany these gifts towards abolition. To read of the events that took place to raise both awareness/funds. The companies that have chosen to offer matching gifts programs to their employees. Grandparents whose grandkids asked that they donate to us in lieu of birthday gifts. The man in upstate NY who sends a $7.00 check every few months when he can afford to. Those who give monthly. Churches who take up special offerings during their services and give them to Love146. The couple who has sent monthly gifts since the organization started up. Campus groups and task forces who have raised both funds and awareness through creative events. All of these gifts inspire us, and it is because of them that we are able to impact the lives of children – those most vulnerable to exploitation and those who’s childhood’s have been robbed by the dark injustices of sex slavery.

This year, there has been one donation in particular that has stayed with me in my heart and thoughts. A family sent in a check for $3.00 – they heard of our work through watching “I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here” and hearing Stephen Baldwin share about the work of Love146 on the show. This particular family was in severe economic distress, with both parents being out of work. They wrote to us that once a week, they would search the house for change so they could go get a special treat. That week, the kids asked if instead of spending the money on treats, they could send the money to Love146 to help children.

These recent months have been the first in which Love146 as an organization has started to feel the impact of the economic downturn. So we are in a weird place of unbelievable thanks for all who partner with us – yet also compelled to ask for continued giving. As we head into Thanksgiving and the holiday season, I am thankful for all our donors. For kids that will search through couch cushions for change & then choose to donate it rather than use it for candy. All so that other kids – whether they are in North Carolina, Cambodia or the Philippines – can experience love that empowers, restores, protects and defends.

Jennifer Franz
Love146 Accounting Administrator

Considering Implications

2009-11-17T11:06:00.006-05:00

I have been back in Cambodia for 3 months and one of the most disturbing things have heard about was about the situation with youth leaving orphanages in Cambodia. There are more than 200 orphanages in Cambodia that have often been set up by well meaning people (including many expatriates) who just wanted to ‘do something’. Without considering the long term implications of taking in a group of children they opened the doors and children came. The selection criteria was often not clear and they didn’t have the man-power (or sometimes the language) to ensure that those who came did not have a family/community who could take them in. As a result children who shouldn’t really be in orphanages are there.

And now, the children are older, in fact some cannot be called children anymore and they are no longer considered "cute" or "fundable." Those children who are compliant and institutionalized are the perfect children for an orphanage but what about when they need to leave the orphanage? They don’t know how to live in the real world. In contrast, those children who start to push against the system and the hormones kick in are not perfect children for an orphanage and they may well be thrown out on their ear, even before they are adults.

Both sets of children are primary targets for sexual exploitation! Orphanages must be a last resort and those that exist must have better selection criteria. There must be better re-integration strategies for all children in residential care.

Glenn Miles, Director of Asia Prevention

Brand Loyalty or Solidarity?

2009-11-13T10:46:00.006-05:00

The video featured above will stand out to me as a sacred moment over the past year with Love146. It took place during the Generation Conference in upstate NY last weekend. You can read about the conference here. After Rob spoke, the hundreds of students attending the conference gathered in a room to have a large group picture taken. Each held their patch in the air. Spontaneously they began shouting "146, 146, 146". Then a single voice began shouting "LOVE" in between. And soon the room echoed with the words "Love...146". It was almost a groaning, a declaration or a prayer wanting #146 and the thousands she represents to be loved: protected, defended, restored and empowered.

It sounds silly saying it because it seems as I am writing that it was a room full of kids shouting for the brand of Love146...but it was so much more than that. I experienced the reality that you could shout "Not for Sale" and be wanting the organization to further or the same words could be shouted as a call, groan, or proclamation that people shouldn't be for sale. You could shout "Water for People" for the organization the same words could be shouted as a call, groan, or proclamation that all people should have access to clean water.

It was a moment my heart, mouth and hope shouted not for the brand of Love146 but my shout was a call, groan or proclamation that she would know Love...a moment of solidarity.

Is the anti-trafficking movement the new black?

2009-11-10T14:19:00.004-05:00

I was recently asked if I was concerned that the current anti-trafficking or “Modern day abolition” movement might be only a trend, and the current growth and passion that are fueling it will quickly diminish as the “next trendy cause comes along.” Another person asked if I thought that “people might be just jumping on a band wagon?”

The words, “abolition” and “movement” are words that I have come to hold sacred. When I hear these words used merely for a campaign, fundraising scheme, or marketing tactic, I honestly cringe. They are diminished.

To think of the price that abolitionists have paid throughout history to end slavery, or the sacrifices people have made for movements that have challenged and changed unjust structures and systems that oppressed multitudes, I recoil at anything that might cheapen those words.
Sometimes I think we have the belief that if we use the word “movement” often enough, maybe we can actually start one. Or we mistake growing awareness as “the movement.” While awareness is vital and certainly part of “movement”, if awareness doesn’t lead to further action, it is only a shouting into the wind. Mark Twain said; “Noise proves nothing. Often a hen who has merely laid an egg cackles as if she laid an asteroid.” Or as my Mom, used to warn… “Don’t be all bark and no bite.”

This “sacredness” has been helpful for us here at Love146, as it informs how we address modern day slavery. We use it as a bar or litmus test for all of our efforts and programs, forcing us to ask the questions; Does this effort have teeth to it? Is it helpful? How will it contribute to ending modern day slavery and exploitation? And, how will it help to restore and empower survivors? If we can’t answer these questions…we don’t do it.

A trend is defined as; “The general direction in which something tends to move.” So, at the end of the day if the movement to end human trafficking is a “trend” but is moving us all in the right direction, then that is a good thing. If, when the “band wagon” rides by, and the dust eventually settles, there are more people still standing & fighting then there were before… then count me in!

-Rob

Rob Morris
President
Love146

Follow me on Twitter HERE

A Picture of the Movement: Hundreds Wear Her Number

2009-11-06T10:48:00.005-05:00

This weekend Love146 is at the Generation Conference, a conference in up-state NY with several youth groups from churches throughout New England. Rob is speaking at the conference tomorrow. I came up early to set up our table and hang out with students. WOW! It has been a long time since I was in high school. High Schoolers are amazing. They are full of life and energy. They are idealists... I almost forgot! It is kind of fun (and a little strange!) to be brought back down memory lane.

The conference is focusing this year on how students can “live to make a difference.” The hosting church is putting a lot of energy and effort into growing support throughout the region for us. They ordered over 1600 Love146-patches for the conference. They are using them as the “badge” each attending student has to show to get into the conference center.

Last night every student that walked by me wore a patch. It was both beautiful and eerie to see hundreds of youth all wearing her number at once. Some of them knew what they were wearing. They would come up to the table and say things like, “I love you guys!” or “I think what you are doing is amazing.” Most of them however just wore the patch as their badge of entry, not really knowing what it stood for.

As the evening continued and they showed a little video about the reality of slavery on our planet, awareness began to rise in the room. Someone told a brief story of 146… consciousness awoke just a little bit. After the main session finished, many students just stopped by the table now curios about Love146 and the issue. They were beginning to see the meaning of the patch.

I am sure as the weekend continues awareness will continue to rise. After Rob speaks on Saturday there will be a flood of passionate abolitionists in the making, each having a deeper understanding of the patch that they wear. Many will continue down this journey of the modern day abolitionist movement. The meaning of the patch and understanding of the issue will deepen further along the way, as it takes over the crevasses of their hearts.

I couldn’t help but think of the thousands of children and teens who literally wear a number…the 1.2 million who will have a price tag placed on them annually, literally bought and sold. I wondered what it is like as their own consciousness rises to the fact that they wear a number and have a price tag that binds them. What emotions, thoughts, fears they might have today… and I prayed for freedom.

My hope rose yesterday at the thought of what could happen when the number of children, teens and people who choose to wear the patch in solidarity and fight for freedom with their lives overpowers not only the pimps, traffickers and exploiters in the world but those who wear any number and are bought and sold for any price. That is the reality of a movement. That is the reality of the world shifting, changing and choosing to amplify the voices screaming “freedom.” ABOLITION AND RESTORATION!

NOTE: Above is a glimpse of people being added to the movement. In some of the pictures you have to look close to find the patch, but it is there.

First times...

2009-11-04T16:37:00.003-05:00

We received this beautiful update today from Dr. Velazco, Love146 Director of Aftercare. One of our girls who had been reintegrated back into a community from our safehome (Round Home) came back for a visit. Here is Dr. Velazco’s account:

“Yesterday *Nira came back home to the Round Home for a visit. This morning I asked her what makes her want to come back to the Round Home from time to time.

She became nostalgic and cried.

She said she remembers when they were still complete here, having fun, chatting, singing, playing the guitar. She just misses everybody. She said she was very happy here because of the people and the beautiful place. This was her family, her home.

I asked her what the most important thing she learned in the Round Home was while she was here. She said it was becoming strong. She said she developed strength because of the support of the staff and the other children.

I asked her about the things that she experienced for the first time when she came to the Round Home. She said it was having a loving family. The Round Home staff and children were her family that she never had before. She also experienced being truly loved and being happy for the first time. She experienced being respected for the first time. Such respect, she said, she never experienced before.

She said that for this kind of family, joy, love, and respect, she will always come back to the Round Home.

I also asked another one of our girls, *Maria, about the things that she experienced for the first time when she came to the Round Home. Her answers were quick and sure.

She said she first came to know love, to give to others, to know God, and to be treated like a real daughter. It was her first time to actually be “heard.” It was her first time not to be told hurtful things by adults.

She said, “It was my first time not to be bothered about the past anymore. You were the ones who helped me forget about the past.”

She said it was her first time to really look at herself and accept herself and her experiences and introduce herself to others with courage.

She said it was her first time to go to school. It was her first time to have a happy Christmas. It was her first time to have quarrels and have those quarrels quickly sorted out, so that now, for the first time, she has no enemies anymore.”

When I read this report, I was deeply moved, humbled and challenged. The “firsts” that so many of us take for granted are life-changing for children who have waited far too long to experience them. Education, respect, family, love, joy, etc.

We will change this. We will continue to provide “home”, family, care and love for children like Nira and Maria. We will restore and empower children, and see them “becoming strong”, moving from “victims” & “survivors” to “thrivers.”

But we will also work to protect and defend the innocent and vulnerable, preventing the exploitation from happening to begin with. We will continue to ensure that “firsts” happen for children…when they’re supposed to happen…while they are children.

-Rob

Rob Morris
President
Love146
Follow me on Twitter HERE

* Pseudonyms have been used to protect the children who Love146 serves

Counting My Blessings

2009-10-30T15:00:00.004-04:00

It has been a long week. I found myself overwhelmed this week a few times by the weight of the issue. Some shocking articles crossed my computer like this one talking about the domestic magnitude of the issue and this one about a gang rape that occurred at a high school homecoming dance where over 20 people stood by, watched and did nothing.

I have felt heavy and don’t have much to offer or say.

Sometimes the only way we here at Love146 can come out from under the weight is to actively remember the people who are working towards justice and love, and be grateful! As WJ Cameron says, “Thanksgiving, after all, is a word of action”.

Today I am actively counting my blessings...

I’m thankful for…

My family- Thanks for keeping me laughing and reminding me what I fight for. You continue to love me much and well!
The Love146 team- Thanks for dreaming big and always digging deep…thanks for being an inspiration.
Zach & Casey- Thanks for being such good friends…thanks for being “in this together”
GEMS- Thanks for opening my eyes to the face of the issue here that has ignited compassion and fire deep inside me.
Survivors- Your stories inspire and remind me that the impossible is in deed possible…Thanks for never giving up and bravely telling your stories to help others.

So fight for justice, hope, peace and love today and count with me…what are you thankful for?

Evicted Children Get New Wheels

2009-10-28T09:42:00.003-04:00

On Saturday we went to help distribute bikes for children who had been evicted from their slum in Phnom Penh to an area with few resources. The story of the eviction is very disturbing because it involved a company and the Government working together. Those who had papers were given some land but those who did not were left on the side of the road with nothing. My friend Sina (who worked with me in Site 2 refugee camp on the Thai-Cambodian border twenty years ago) asked me if we could help these particularly vulnerable evicted children to get to school by providing them with bikes. Getting to school reduces risk of exploitation for children now (it keeps them off the street) and in the future (it provides them with an education). The sub-community leaders got together and organized a ceremony where, in spite of living in blue plastic tents we would be able to formally present the bikes to the 80 children and their families.

On the original day of the ceremony it had to be cancelled because they had received threats that there could be a re-eviction. We were left with a choice. Do we or do we not present bikes knowing they might be destroyed in a re-eviction which could happen tomorrow, next month or next year? We decided that we must keep our promise to this community who had been lied to before and take the risk of still giving the bikes. We did this on Saturday. However, this situation illustrates the chaotic nature of particularly at risk children and the difficulties of helping them.

Glenn Miles, Director of Asia Prevention

What if 2 Adult-White Males Were Trafficked Every Minute?

2009-10-22T16:57:00.005-04:00

Well, there would be a “war on trafficking” of course. It would be front-page news every day. The talking heads would not shut up about it. There would be “freedom concerts” and “tea parties” demanding action. There would be white-collar riots in the streets. The government would be forced to make the issue its number one priority.

Criminal gangs making billions of dollars from the enslavement and exploitation of adult-white males would be hunted down and confronted without excuse or delay. Corporations linked in anyway to the modern-day slave trade would be shut down, their assets confiscated and their owners prosecuted. The military would actually enforce its “zero tolerance” policy and stop minimizing the misdeeds of some of its servicemen and military contractors. Conservative talk show hosts would be as hard on the Department of Defense as they are on ACORN.

Law enforcement officers would no longer label trafficking victims as criminals but rather as exploited adult-white males. Lawmakers would increase penalties for perpetrators and judges would sentence criminals to the full extent of the law. Companies without ‘fair trade” or “slave free” certification would not survive government mandates or the scrutiny of the public. Those in the music or film industry who would dare to glamorize exploited adult-white males would be shunned rather than celebrated. Pimp culture would become as fashionable as Nazi culture. Teens would never be heard saying, “Dude, check out my Nazi’d-out clothes.”

As Bono says, “every generation has a chance to change the world.” The problem is, every generation has a hard time seeing, or admitting, what it needs to change. As an adult-white male myself, I’m suggesting that we don’t really believe that “all are created equal.” How else can we explain this?

2 human beings are trafficked every minute.

- 80% are women and children trafficked into sexual slavery and exploitation

- 20% are women, children and non-white adult males trafficked into forced labor

- 0% are adult-white males

Average estimates from UN, US State Dept.

Now I am NOT saying all, or even the majority, of exploitation is a result of adult-white males. But I am saying we have a responsibility to respond to the modern-day slave trade as if we were the ones being trafficked.

Abolition!

Restoration!

Lamont Hiebert 

Love146 Co-Founder, Prevention Strategist  

Singer / Songwriter for Ten Shekel Shirt

Is there a place for expatriate workers in the developing world?

2009-10-20T10:37:00.001-04:00

Love146 have spent a big chunk of change to get us as a family out to Cambodia and then continue to pay bills to fly me around the region. Is it worth the investment? Sometimes I am concerned that the money could have been spent on something better. I am well aware that the locals understand the context far better than me. Believe me, it sometimes feels very uncomfortable. So what is the added on value me being based in the region?

Primarily I think it has to do with relationships. Being based in the region enables us to get alongside people we are working with and listen to their passion and their concerns. This is something that is part of the Love146 DNA right from the early visits of the team going undercover into brothels. It wasn’t about voyeurism or development tourism, it was about finding out about what was going on with those on the ‘coal face’ who are dealing with these issues on a day to day basis and asking them ‘how can we help?’

This is an incredible privilege. One day we can be sitting with diplomats, the next with a group of child sex workers. One day we are working alongside other donors, the next we are teaching and learning from practitioners. As we are in the context, we have the credibility. We cannot be accused of flying in from ‘out there’ with no understanding of the local issues.

The money we bring to projects is then only part of the package. We hope that even if there was no money people would still think it was worth us being alongside them.

Glen Miles, Director of Asia Prevention

Schooled By Compassion

2009-10-16T12:02:00.009-04:00

The last 8 months have been a beautiful steep learning curve for me. My family and I just moved up to work with Love146 about 8 months ago now. I don’t think there has been a moment here where I haven’t learned something. From how to work the Love146 fax & coffee machine to just how deep and dark this issue goes, I have learned so much! Between news articles and films, to lectures and office conversations, I have been so privileged to be here. I am often asked what I have learned during this 8 months. What is the one thing I have learned? I have thought about it a ton and while it might be hard to pull out one thing I think I can…

I have learned the face of this issue here…in my own streets, in my own city, in my nation. In the middle of my learning I have come to realize not only how blind I have been to the issue here, but I have also seen a lack of compassion in myself that is disturbing.

This all started back in May when I saw the film, Very Young Girls by GEMS . I sat and watched this documentary and was SHOCKED!

Here are the cliff notes of what I learned:

§ A PIMP IS A TRAFFICKER:I saw the reality of the “pimp & ho” culture in the US. I’ll never use the word “pimp” again to glorify anything such as “pimp my ride” because a PIMP IS A TRAFFICKER that our culture glorifies.

§ The average age that someone enters prostitution is 12-14: I saw children, 12-14 years old that were coerced and sometimes forced into prostitution. I don’t know about you but that will change the way I see any women or teen being prostituted on the street!

§ Did you know that in the first 48 hours of a runaway being on the street in the US 1 in 3 will be approached by a pimp or a trafficker: I saw vulnerable teens runaway from home to try to escape a bad home situation and end up being recruited by pimps who would promise them the world (and their love) in exchange for “just a few tricks.”

§ The problem is WIDE SPREAD: According to a 2001 University of Pennsylvania study, an estimated 200,000 to 300,000 adolescents are sexually exploited annually in the U.S. That is CRAZY!!! That is A LOT of children in our own back yard!

§ I don’t have to go ANYWHERE to be a part of ending this…Denver, New Haven, New York, Atlanta, LA, it exists! If we have eyes to see it!

While I watched this film the veil of my own culture was lifted for a moment for me to see what is really going on right now. As I watched I realized that there is no difference between the 14 year old in a brothel in Thailand and a 14 year old out on our streets…yet for me there had always been a difference. Why is it that before now I couldn’t see them in the same way? Was it my own culture that told me these children were “throw-a-ways” or criminals rather than beautiful women, children and victims? Was it the glamorization of pimp & ho culture? Was it race? Wealth? Whatever the reasons…I am more than sorry. I am ashamed. AND NOW I AM COMPASSIONATE!

If you haven’t yet, you should watch this documentary and allow your vision to change! This SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17^th GEMS is doing a One2One Challenge, calling each individual who has seen the documentary to challenge one of their friends to sit down and watch the film. So friends, family… I’m calling you. Go to GEMS, watch the film...

LOVE, COMPASSION and ABOLITION!

NOTE: Out of compassion, Love146 is launching some US Prevention Initiatives this year. Go to Love146.org to see what we're up to!

QUESTION: What does High School Football and Slavery have in common?

2009-10-09T19:57:00.007-04:00

There are many things that I love about fall. Pumpkin Spice Lattes…the leaves changing…wearing boots and mittens. However, I’ll let you in on a little secret about me. The thing I love most about fall is football. I am an avid football fan. My dad played ball for the University of Colorado Buffaloes. I’ve been going to football games since I can remember. CU Buff games, Denver Bronco games, high school games. I’ll watch any game that is on TV on a Saturday after noon…I love it all!

This fall I have seen football in a different light. A friend heard this stat a few weeks ago: Did you know that this season 1.2 million high schoolers will play football??? If you have been around the issue of child sex trafficking that number will be familiar. It is the exact same number of children that UNICEF estimates will be sold in to slavery this year, 1.2 million. What a stark contrast!

Hearing this stat, being an avid football fan AND a passionate person who wants to see slavery end, I automatically started thinking. I thought about this freedom that so many youth have in the US to play football. I also thought about the lack of freedom all over the world children have to dream, play, or thrive. I thought about how many days, months, and football seasons go by while so many children are still in captivity.

A few fabulous staff and I started talking about what could happen if these two realities came colliding together. What could happen if the freedom high school students in this nation have to play football was met head on with the reality of children in slavery today? What could happen if all the passion used to cheer for our teams, protect our quarterbacks and score touchdowns simultaneously raised funds & awareness for the issue of modern day slavery, and advocated for freedom for ALL children? What if football season was known to be a time for tailgate parties, first downs, yearly rivalries AND a time to TACKLE SLAVERY! Something amazing could happen… this world could change! That’s why Love146 is encouraging students, players, cheerleaders, teachers, parents and fans to TACKLE SLAVERY. I know I’m going to this season…Here are a few of our ideas. Of course you should go to love146.org for a full list and some great downloads!

A SWEET HIGHLIGHT: I was really excited when I heard one of my good friend’s little brother decided to TACKLE SLAVERY with us and wanted to share. This season every touchdown Gabe Hoins, a freshman high school student from Papillion, NE, scores friends and family are each giving a certain dollar amount to end child sex slavery and exploitation. Being a rock-star running back he already has 10 on the season. Maybe you should consider joining them and sponsor Gabe! Go here to see how! Keep up the good running this season, Gabe! Think you can get a few more! :) Thanks for not only playing for the Monarch’s this season but for Love146! Peace & Abolition!!!

Thoughts from the Ride...

2009-09-30T17:10:00.008-04:00

Last weekend I had this thought. It was during the Ride-4-Love, an annual fundraiser put on by our fabulous 518 Network of churches, taskforces and student groups to raise funds and awareness for us. First, let me just say that upstate NY is a beautiful spot in this country. And last weekend it was spectacular. The air was crisp and cold. There were patches of leaves turning to bright fall colors but for the most part the land was still green from all the rain.

Over 100 riders gathered together, all raising funds and riding a few miles (either 10, 25, 50 or for the brave 75) to be active in fighting towards the end of child sex slavery and exploitation.

My fam and I drove up to put our efforts in the ride (hubby and I pictured above). We signed up to ride 25 miles which was a feat for us with our 22 month old hooked onto the back of my husband’s single speed bike. Around mile five I looked up to see a beautiful scene. It was still early in the course so the riders were pretty thick in number, working their way along together. I was riding along and a little kid passed me, and next his mother, and father…then a group of college students, a few riding a tandem bike…men, women, kids…young, old…all riding together. Each as they passed had their bikes and helmets and a bib with numbers. This was different from the tour de France in many obvious ways but the most striking was in the number…

We all wore one number… her number.

1.4.6.

Each of us, not working for ourselves but for someone else… It was this beautiful picture as each rode by. I sat back on my bike and just took the moment in. We weren’t racing the clock. We weren’t keeping track of individual numbers but for a moment putting all that down to wear 146. Thoughts like, “I wonder if that boy riding knows that what he is doing now might actually enable another child in this world to ride free someday?” Or “does that mother know that right now she is looking after more than just her own children by giving of her time, resources and prayers?” As I peddled along I thought about those racing and advocating for freedom, and the children we serve. I wished for a moment we could all ride together…and prayed for a world where such could happen. A world where justice, grace and love ruled. A world that was free, truly free…

If you’ve ever heard Rob speak about what he thinks it will take to end this you might remember he says one of the key components we need is personal engagement. We need to allow the issue to personally affect us so that we will respond. We are often creatures that don’t engage until we see it, until it personally affects or offends us. He often says, “we usually don’t care too much about cancer, for example, until our son gets leukemia or our wife gets breast cancer and then we are off running marathons, raising money for the cancer society.” Last weekend I saw the opposite of that taking place. There were 100 people allowing an issue to affect them as they rode that morning. And there were hundreds more who sponsored the ride and allowed the issue to affect their pocketbooks. People coming together to raise their voices as if to say, “I want to let this affect me. I’m not ok if it doesn’t affect me. I am actively creating a world, fighting for a world, where we all are free.” We all rode that morning remembering and honoring a girl we’ll never meet, or even know her name… and yet somehow we all were choosing to personally engage.

I wanted to say thank you. Thank you to the 518 Network that have worked so hard over the years. Thank you to all our campus chapters, to our taskforces, to our supporting churches and friends. Thank you to Bethany, Matt, Karen, Marie, Shellie, Casey, Zach, Bert, Joel, Ed, Kristi…to all those who are leading the way, choosing to engage, the list could go on and on. Day in and day out, you work with us, think of us. Work for children, think and pray for children. That moment on my bike Saturday I said a silent prayer of thanksgiving and asked that this kind of Love will lead the way to a world where all are free!

So thank you, and lets keep trekking!

PS For those that were interested, Andrew, our events coordinator, is pictured above during his ride-4-love. You’ll be glad to know HE FINISHED the 75 mile ride!!! He was amazing and proudly wore her number the entire way…reaching a different level of being personally affected and engaged.

A new documentary about child sex slavery in the U.S.

2009-09-16T11:55:00.002-04:00

The hardest part of raising a child is teaching them to ride bicycles.

2009-09-10T16:22:00.003-04:00

The hardest part of raising a child is teaching them to ride bicycles. A shaky child on a bicycle for the first time needs both support and freedom. The realization that this is what the child will always need can hit hard. ~Sloan Wilson

I am Andrew, the Events Coordinator at Love146. I was somewhat hesitant to post this blog. I was, however, guided and encouraged by my wonderful friend Desirea Rodgers here at the Love146 office, from whom you regularly hear via these blogs. She convinced me that my personal take on the Ride4Love event was something I should share. So I bit the bullet and, despite lingering doubts, here I go.

Love146 is about to embark on the second annual "Ride4Love" on September 19th in Ballston Spa, NY. For me personally, as Events Coordinator for Love146 and in my capacity as a human being, this marks a few "firsts". This is my first blog for Love146 after almost 5 years of working here - where have I been?? This will also be my first ever aerobic activity with a duration of more than 15 minutes. It is my first bike ride event and most certainly the first time I have ever attempted to travel 75 miles under my own steam on the same day.

And here is another "first". I have the huge privilege to work at Love146. I am surrounded by dark stores and images of the most terrible situations that I can imagine, as the father of two young girls. But I am surrounded by hope, stories of restoration and the energy of Abolition. And I work to help fuel this, our programs, our funding and the momentum of the Movement, here at my desk and my computer. I work with phone calls, emails and meetings. I feel no physical discomfort or hardship. I want to engage at that level with the children we serve in some way, but it is difficult to feel any visceral pain in my cozy corner of the office. So, in my own small way, taking on that hilly 75 miles at 51 years old for the first time ever, with little time to train, promises me considerable discomfort and challenge.

My earlier hesitancy to post these thoughts is re-confirmed to me on reading back the last paragraph. It may sound like the effort is about me. About my needs. It may also read a little like my discomfort will somehow compare to that of the children we serve, but both these thoughts could not be further from the truth. I suppose what I want to feel is that I have an opportunity to work way outside of my comfort zone and spend the 6 hours in the seat contemplating the children, their restoration, their faces and their futures. And to feel something physical while doing it. Something I will remember well after the event that will leave some small mark on me. I hope so. It's not a perfect solution but for now it's all I have. So I'll take it.

So - that said, the ride takes us through the scenic countryside of Ballston Spa, NY. It will be a beautiful journey. There will be all levels of riders participating, from competition bikers to children. So please consider joining us. You could ride in the event yourself, or sponsor us while we grind our way up and down the hills of upstate NY. There will be a route for you (either 10, 25, 50 or 75 miles) and we would be honored to see you on your bike with us on September 19th! If you don't have your own set of wheels, there will be rental bikes available on the day of the ride.

You can join the ride by visiting www.ride4love.com and registering.

Or, if you would like to sponsor us and help us achieve our goal, please use this link - http://www.active.com/donate/ride4love-2009/AZsigmondpage

If you have any other questions regarding the Ride 4 Love, please contact Matthew Miller at matthew7@nycap.rr.com

We look forward to seeing you and joining efforts to bring support and freedom to the children we serve!

Andrew Zsigmond
Events Coordinator/Fundraising/Artist Coalition Manager
Love146

Going home

2009-09-02T15:47:00.003-04:00

“Home is a name, a word, it is a strong one; stronger than magician ever spoke, or spirit ever answered to, in the strongest conjuration.” –Charles Dickens
.

After 16 months in our safehome, another one of our girls went home to be reunited with her family last week.

Getting ready to fly home

Knowing what she has been through and how far she has come is mind-boggling. She came to our home like an angel with broken wings, and is leaving whole and empowered. She is ready to fly again.

Dr. Velazco, our Director of Aftercare asked her; “How will you remember the Love146 Safehome?” Her answer? “It’s where my life changed. It’s where a new angel was born and grew. This Home welcomes and heals the broken.”

At her homecoming, her Mother just held on to her and kept repeating; “My Baby, my baby. I’ve missed you so, my baby.”

In the words of Dr. Velazco to our girl upon leaving; “We’ll be monitoring your flight. Count on it.”

Wow, this reintegration process is so hard and beautiful all at the same time.

-Rob
President
Love146
Follow me on Twitter HERE

The Power of Piggy Banks & Road Trips

2009-08-24T13:29:00.008-04:00

All over the nation ordinary people are rallying together to do extraordinary things that are leading the way towards ending child sex slavery & exploitation. People are throwing benefit shows, creating art, writing letters and meeting together to move with us in this journey to abolition. Many people are starting taskforces in their area to be a voice for Love146 and the youth in their own communities.

I have had the privilege of meeting with taskforces across the nation. These small groups of people that are working creatively to raise the banner of freedom for children have inspired me. They think outside the box and are willing to work hard. One of my favorite groups is this funky little teen taskforce in NY. We lovingly refer to them as the Long Island Teen Taskforce. They have baked cookies, hosted bowl-a-thons, and even dyed students’ hair bright blue in their high school to raise money and awareness about Love146. I love getting updates about what they will do next. Their fearless leaders are two teachers that have a heart for kids and abolition, Ed & Kristi.

With banners, buttons, the story of 146 to share and a good GPS system

Ed and Kristi hit the road and spent their last week of summer traveling around the North East spreading the word about Love146. From New Hampshire to Ohio, they helped to set up more teen taskforces and encouraged everyone they met to get involved with ending slavery! TV stations, newspapers, youth groups, high schools and churches welcomed them and joined this movement of abolition.

Among those that were encouraged was a little 7-year-old girl who walked up to Kristi, bought a Love146 patch and literally emptied out her piggy bank into the donations jar. She looked up at Kristi as she poured out her savings with a smile and said “Saving little kids like me.”

What a beautiful picture!

Today I’m wondering what our world would look like if we all emptied our piggy banks to bring hope, life and freedom to others. What would it look like if we, like Ed & Kristi, poured out our vacation time to work towards sharing the story of the broken?

Ed & Kristi, thanks for inspiring us. Keep up the good work!

To love, road-trips, piggy banks and abolition!

Kellen

A Labor of Love

2009-08-21T12:53:00.001-04:00

"Through our great good fortune, in our youth our hearts were touched with fire. It was given to us to learn at the outset that life is a profound and passionate thing." - Oliver Wendell Holmes

Today marks the end of an ambitious labor of love and a work of staggering beauty by an amazing, but little known photographer. After hearing the story of a young girl known only by the number 146, photographer Jennifer Hamilton set out to remember and honor her. She took a photo every day for 146 days, to represent not only the one girl sitting behind a glass window in a brothel, but the thousands like her who are being sold and exploited daily.

I have been deeply moved not only by Jennifer's photography, but even more so by her commitment to add her creative voice to the collective shout on behalf of the innocent and vulnerable. And even more stunning...Jennifer is 14 years old and in the 8th grade.

Jennifer writes that the story of Love146, "inspired a procrastinating, laid-back teenaged girl to get up and do something about it. Just think of what could be done, if just a few more people... decided to do something about this. This is a war going on, a fight for freedom. We must be their voice, because for the moment they are silenced. But they don't have to be."

She continues; "This is my last day, but I'll always be an advocate of love146 through my photography. I just can't believe it's been 146 days. I've been saving this idea for the very last day."

Thank you Jennifer for amplifying the voices of your sisters and brothers still in "chains"!

All photos by Jennifer Hamilton

To view Jennifer's entire "146 Days of Love" project click HERE.

To see the story of 146 click HERE.

-Rob
President
Love146
Follow me on Twitter HERE.

Local Event

2009-08-20T11:12:00.002-04:00

For all you Nutmeggers out there:

A benefit for Love146

John Gorka Live at the New England Brewing Company!

Friday, August 21 7pm 7 Selden St. Woodbridge, CT 06525 $25 per ticket (comes with samples of Brewer's selection) For reservations call: 203.605.7923

Practice What You Preach

2009-08-19T11:53:00.007-04:00

As many of you know, we have launched the Car Wash Across America this summer. We wanted to create an easy way to raise some money, but also create opportunities to tell the story of 146 across America.

In our office, we can get caught up in the day to day necessities of running a non-profit. We seem to be always running to keep up with what is going on. But the one thing that we always try to remember to do, is to stop and tell the story. It reminds us... it grounds us.

This past weekend we did our own car wash/bake sale (put together by our more than wonderful interns). We had a lot of fun. We raised about $350 and had more leftover baked goods than are healthy to consume. But we got to tell her story... in our own town. And it was really nice to remember what we are about... and to practice what we preach.

Thanks to everyone who helped out, to everyone who is doing their own car wash, and to everyone telling her story.

Flying

2009-08-13T09:25:00.008-04:00

"For a long time, she flew only when she thought no one else was watching."- Brian Andreas

Photo by Marcel Gahbauer, McGill Bird Observatory (QC), August 2005

Ever since my oldest daughter was little, she wanted to move to New York City when she grew up. She also wanted to be a writer. This past Spring she graduated from University with a degree in Creative Writing. Then last night, I dropped her off at her first apartment in NYC.

If you could only see her face as she stood in her apartment looking out on the lights of the city. I’m not sure if her sparkling eyes were reflecting those lights, or if they were revealing the joy of dreams fought hard for… finally coming true. I cannot describe to you the pride and joy I felt as I saw her standing there. My little girl has left the nest and is trying out her wings.

As I left the apartment building, I was suddenly struck with fear. What will happen when the winds and the storms come? Are her wings strong enough? Is she REALLY ready? I found myself wanting to secretly get an apartment in the same building so I could be nearby, just in case if she ever needed me. This “bird leaving the nest” thing is turning out to be a mixed bag, full of joy, pride, risk, fear, unknowns, etc.

We at Love146 had a couple of birds leave the nest this past week. And all of the same feelings are there. Two of our girls were ready to leave the safehome and continue the process of reintegration back into a community. They have good jobs, a good support system, and will be continuing their education. They are pursuing their dreams and they are beyond excited! To say we are proud would be an understatement. The courage, tenacity and resiliency of our girls is inspiring and humbling to say the least. They have been active participants in their own recovery.

But, in all honesty, I wrestle with the same concerns as I do with my daughter. What will happen when the winds and the storms come? Are their wings strong enough? Are they REALLY ready?

Then I think about what they have come from and where they are now. Our Director of Aftercare, Dr. Velazco said this yesterday; “We took them from the community, hurt, broken. Now we give them back to the community, healed, strong, and wanting to change the community. One has concrete plans of creating a foundation for girls like her. The other one is determined to be a social worker and counsel families and children. The girls are re-writing our mission in aftercare. We are not only restoring survivors .Restored children are becoming restorers of a broken world."

So with that, my fears are relieved. The transformation in our girls is stunning. So much so, that if you look in their eyes, you will see a sparkle there. Eyes that once revealed unbearable pain and brokenness, now reveal the joy of dreams fought hard for… finally coming true. I realize in a moment…our girls are already flying. And have been for a long time. I have so much to learn.

-Rob

Follow me on Twitter HERE.

For the Love of Lemonade

2009-08-12T10:06:00.010-04:00

On Sunday, the Love146 Taskforce
at the Blue Route Vineyard Church in PA rolled up their sleeves and squeezed, squeezed, squeezed the love out of lemons for yummy lemonade! Their lemonade stand raised $75.

Kudos to Kate and Sue and everyone who helped to raise awareness and funds so sweetly! And a special thanks to Sammy, Ben, Joseph, Emma, and the rest of the kids who have already chosen to use their energy to be a voice for the children we serve.

A good kind of tension?

2009-08-05T14:04:00.010-04:00

In our office as in most offices tension will come up. We’ve had many team discussions on what “good” tension and what “unhealthy” tension is. For the U.S. Love146 office we have defined good tension as tension that is brought up by work issues. So even if we disagree on different methods, programs, approaches etc. the tension exists because we think certain things will end child sex slavery and exploitation more effectively than others. An unhealthy tension comes if things get personal (like when Ben attacks my exquisite taste in music:). I held off writing this blog for a few days because I thought it could create tension. But I hope this tension is the good kind.

For a couple of years I have carried The Better World Shopping Guide with me. The guide is a pocket-sized book that can help change the world. It is a comprehensive guide for socially and environmentally responsible consumers. The guide “grades” companies on Human rights, the environment, animal protection, community involvement and social justice. I was flipping through the book again a few nights ago and I noticed several companies that have been involved in child slavery lawsuits or have documented exploitation of child labor. A couple of examples:

Chocolate:

Nestle Grade – F Involved in child slavery lawsuit

Alternatives: Cadbury, Grade – B- Newman’s own, Grade – B+ Green & Black, Grade – A- Equal Exchange, Grade – A+

Supermarkets:

Walmart Grade – F Documented exploitation of child labor

Alternatives: Target, Grade – C- Shaws, Grade – C Albertsons, Grade – C Stop N Shop, Grade – C Trader Joes, Grade – A- Whole Foods/Wild Oats – A

Ice Cream:

Haagen Daz (Nestle)

Grade – F Involved in child slavery lawsuit

Alternatives: Breyers, Grade – C+ Starbucks, Grade – B Ben & Jerry’s, Grade – A Stoneyfield Farm, Grade – A

The ice cream is why I brought out the book the other night. After my husband and I enjoyed a purely delicious bite of ice cream on a steamy summer night, I decided to look it up in the book. The kind we were eating (as well as my husband’s favorite)…yep, Haagan Daz. Can anyone say Cherry Garcia here we come? Ending child sex slavery and exploitation will take a while but the good news is that we can actually make a difference by decisions such as which ice cream we buy. That is really amazing! We have so much power.

Want more info?

www.betterworldshopper.com You can order a book from their website ($10, free shipping) or if you have a fancy phone you can buy their app which is awesome.

Tense anyone? What do you think?

Desirea

Race for Abolition!

2009-07-31T10:52:00.006-04:00

Love146 has found ourselves in an unexpected and exciting relationship with two professional luxury racing teams, Guardian Angel Motorsports and Team Polizei 144.

Guardian Angel Motorsports is well known for its enduring success in uniting the motorsports community behind children's charities.

Team Polizei 144 is infamous for its rally history , 2006 Cannonball Record and recent debut in pro motorsports

These two have joined forces, contributing financial support, mobile technologies and media reach to broaden Love146's donor base.

The teams are asking their friends and fans to get behind Love146 and join the movement of abolition. Their fist big race is coming up August 7th at the Rolex Grand-Am race at Watkins Glen, NY.

In the words of Guardian Angel Motorsports:

"There are some stories that touch all of our lives. These are stories of children who suffer, who will never know the kind of childhood we wish for all children, everywhere.
These are the families that could really use a guardian angel.
You can become that guardian angel."

We at Love146 never cease to be amazed and excited at the breadth of groups and individuals that come to the table of abolition. From luxury race cars, students, bands, celebrities, families, communities of faith, artists, and more. This is what keeps us going. A shout of abolition across social, political, and religious boundaries. Thank you to everyone at the table, and to our new friends in the racing community!

Starting the day with tears...

2009-07-29T15:24:00.016-04:00

Okay…I confess…I can be brought to tears fairly easily. I cry when I hear a sad song on the radio. I cried when Simba raised his new baby cub into the sky at the end of The Lion King. And yes…I still have a hard time when Bambi’s mom dies. I even cried during Hannah Montana:The Movie, when Miley sang to her Dad. I think my kids were worried about me.

Most of these tears are sentimental. But there are times when tears come from a completely different place inside of me. They are different. They are born from either deep grief or joy. They come when I receive a report of a specific child who has been trafficked and exploited. They have come at times when reading an article on child slavery or while hearing another staggering statistic. But they have also come from seeing a child in our safehome smile again. They come from hearing spontaneous laughter and singing from children who are getting their lives and childhood back.

This morning I received an update on our girls in the Love146 safehome in the Philippines. As I read the words of Dr. Velazco (Our Director of Aftercare), and the words of our girls… tears came from that place called joy. In her own words, Dr. Velazco writes;

“I asked the girls to plant certain plants in places in the Round Home."

"And when they finished…

"I asked them to walk down the path and get in touch with how it makes them feel.”

“I feel like it’s my 18^th birthday and I am the most important person in the crowd. It’s a very nice feeling.”

“I feel like it’s my wedding and I’m walking down the aisle. I would like to continue walking here.”

"I also asked the girls to begin a garden of pebbles, rocks, stones, and

miniature plants."

"And when done, I asked them to ponder on what has been formed."

“I feel like I’m sitting on the sea shore. When I was a little child, I would go to the beach when I had problems…and just look at the islands beyond. Somehow, my feelings would be relieved. This is a place for examination of conscience. It feels very quiet here. I can feel solitude and the presence of God. On the sea shore, you can usually see a rainbow, which symbolizes God’s covenant with people, so there is hope. I can imagine a rainbow here.”

“It’s like the sea with different kinds of stones, some big, some small. The small ones are small trials. The big ones are like the big trials in my life that almost make me want to give up. I have overcome the small trials in my life.”

“The stones are holding the little plants in place, so the plants’ roots are able to grow strong. I’m like the little plant and the Round Home staff are the stones.”

“Everything seems to be in order here. There is peace and content, they just need the sun and water. I wish my life would be in order someday and I could fulfill my dreams. Sometimes I think I could.”

“The white reminds me that I have passed my trials and I have no worries anymore. My past experience was the most difficult in my life, but I have survived and now everything in my life is peaceful and I am so happy and my life is bright like that white.”

Dr. Velazco summed up the experiences by writing;

“The garden is an abstract and ambiguous stimulus and in order to make sense of it, the beholder has to create something in her mind. Whatever is created bears the specific stamp of the needs, hopes, conflicts, feelings, or desires of the one who is creating. The mere expression of these is therapeutic. The garden is thus, a huge therapeutic canvass.

The idea is to transform every possible corner in the Round Home as a source of therapy and healing. And when the children participate in such physical transformation of the place, their therapy also comes from their own hands.”

So yes…my day began with tears. It was like therapy.

-Rob

Twitter: http://twitter.com/ROBLOVE146

One.

2009-07-27T11:17:00.002-04:00

There are two questions I am often asked: “Is the abolition of child sex slavery possible?" and “ Is the restoration of victims of child sex slavery possible?” The magnitude of the problem begs this question. There are millions of predators, millions of victims, and billions of dollars in this story. There are some days, after hearing the latest horror story, or reading about the latest rapist who was given a light sentence when that question arises in my own mind, but I remember the question can never be viewed through millions of people, but only through the one child.

After you have seen the one, danced with the one, buried the one, the millions are there, but not as an insurmountable mass. The millions suddenly have faces; you begin to see them as individuals. This seeing takes faith because once we see the face of the one child instead of the millions, there is a call to action and responsibility. This can seem frightening, but the beautiful things is; the weight of the millions will not crush you but the face of the one can change your life, and you in turn can possibly change theirs.

The one is where we must always begin. The one is worth the risk, the time, the tears, the heartbreak, and the celebration. The one is who changes the world.

with joy,

Desirea

Consumer advocacy works!

2009-07-24T14:06:00.002-04:00

Love146 is a member of the Stop the Traffik network, and we are thrilled with the recent progress STT has made in challenging major chocolate corporations to commit themselves to sustainable, fair-trade, and slave-free production and distribution chains.

Cadbury is rolling out its first fair-trade chocolate bar in England. They are the #1 chocolate company in the UK: http://www.cadbury.com/media/press/Pages/ukfairtradeonpack.aspx

Want to help challenge U.S. chocolate companies? Click here for the STT Chocolate Campaign resources and begin your own research on chocolate companies that still need to be taken to task!

Bill No. 684

2009-07-20T12:57:00.002-04:00

Thanks to everyone who is spreading the word about Bill No. 684. Through blogging and Twitter the word is getting out! We don't have any new info. yet but when we do, we will let you know. Until then keep spreading the word.

With joy,

Desirea

Urgent Action Needed!

2009-07-16T10:36:00.009-04:00

"Pornography and especially images depicting children being sexually abused and exploited are available on DVD’s under the tables of most street-side vendors in the Philippines and other Asian countries. The absence of a strong specific law that makes it illegal to make, copy, distribute or possess such materials damages the lives of thousands of children. Such images are evidence of horrific crime against children and that’s why in all civilized countries where the rule of law prevails, child pornography is anathema and violators get lengthy prison sentences. But not yet in the Philippines...What 12-year-old Jopin did to a six year old, who can’t be named, is extremely shocking. He learned what sex acts to do from a pornographic video that was left in the video machine by a visiting relative. Jopin secretly viewed the pornographic video and soon after he tried out the perverse acts on a six year old. It had tragic consequences for the child victim and Jopin." (to read the full article go here) (this link has been having some issues for different browsers...sited from The Manila Times).

The Philippines has a chance to pass a law defining the crime of child pornography and imposing penalties on perpetrators. This law must be labeled urgent by the President of the Philippines in order to pass. Please take some time today to copy the letter below and email it to the appropriate people (emails listed below). Now is the time to protect these children.

Thank you,

Desirea

Dear Madame President,

At no time in the history of the Philippines has there been a greater
opportunity for the President to act decisively to protect Filipino children
at grave risk than the present historical moment. Thousands of Filipino
children are damaged for life when abused in the making of child
pornography.

The abuse continues when the images of the sexually abused children are
spread around the world through the Internet and are available on the
streets of the Philippines for all to purchase with impunity. They are shown
to other children as training videos to seduce them into becoming
Commercially Sexually Exploited Children and they too are abused and damaged
for life.

By immediately certifying as "urgent " the anti-child pornography bill
pending before the House of Representatives, House Bill No.684 entitled "An
Act Defining the Crime of Child Pornography, Imposing Penalties Thereof, and
for Other Purposes"
you will save thousands of children for years to come.

The Philippines needs this law urgently to protect children and to fulfill
the nations international obligations under the Convention on the Rights of
the Child and other international protocols undertaken by the State on
behalf of the Filipino People.

The passing of House Bill No.684 at your behest will be a proud historical
legacy and provide protection for children for future generations..

We the concerned citizens, representatives of agencies and organizations
working for the protection of the dignity of the Filipino people and the
rights of the child strongly appeal for you to act and announce the bill as
an urgent priority.

Please copy this and send to the following e-mail addresses

pinglacsomngov@yahoo.com,
senzubiri@yahoo.com.ph,
senjinggoyestrada@senate.gov.ph,
opsnews2004@gmail.com,
nasserp@dar.gov.ph,
eicabral@dswd.gov.ph,
efa@dost.gov.ph,
ftduque@co.doh.gov.ph,
osec@deped.gov.ph,
osec@denr.gov.ph,
jadurano@tourism.gov.ph,
osec@dole.gov.ph,
pbfavila@boi.gov.ph,
rvpuno@dilg.gov.ph,
mis@hudcc.gov.ph,
edgardo_angara@hotmail.com,
sbsa_iii@noynoyaquino.ph,
pongbiazon@yahoo.com,
alancayetano@yahoo.com,
pia@senatorpiacayetano.com,
senmds@yahoo.com,
senator_enrile@senate.gov.ph,
sen.escudero@gmail.com,
jinggoy@senjinggoyestrada.com,
senjinggoyestrada@senate.gov.ph,
rjgordon@senate.gov.ph,
ospml@yahoo.com,
sen.litolapid@senate.gov.ph,
loren_b_legarda@yahoo.com.ph,
mam@senate.gov.ph,
kikopangilinan@gmail.com,
aqp@senate.gov.ph,
rcroffice@yahoo.com.ph,
senbongrevilla@senate.gov.ph,
mar@marroxas.com,
senatortrillanes@gmail.com,
mb_villar@yahoo.com,
senzubiri@yahoo.com.ph,
media_sen_lacson@yahoo.com,
ednasy@yahoo.com,
rlneri@neda.gov.ph,
osnd@philonline.com,
sec.yap@da.gov.ph,
arthurcyap@yahoo.com,
akonmf@rocketmail.com,
nast@dost.gov.ph,
mlperez@dost.gov.ph,
ftdp@dost.gov.ph,
csrwg@yahoo.com,
mpo@dost.gov.ph,
cmy@dost.gov.ph,
mpbravo@dost.gov.ph,
spu@dost.gov.ph,
ellen@dost.gov.ph,
bejust@dost.gov.ph,
jsreyesjr@dost.gov.ph,
eaf@dost.gov.ph,
ebdane.jun@dpwh.gov.ph,
bonoan.manuel@dpwh.gov.ph,
rasuman.bashir@dpwh.gov.ph,
asis.raul@dpwh.gov.ph,
cabral.ma_catalina@dpwh.gov.ph,
pacanan.jaime@dpwh.gov.ph,
comm-osec@deped.gov.ph,
hea@denr.gov.ph,
oppalabyab@tourism.gov.ph,
sdsarabia@tourism.gov.ph,
paalburo@tourism.gov.ph,
ejarquejr@tourism.gov.ph,
mtmartinez@tourism.gov.ph,
fsdy@tourism.gov.ph,
Ralph@RalphRecto.com,
ftarzaga@shfcph.com,
vp@ovp.gov.ph,

Interview

2009-07-16T09:40:00.009-04:00

Rob Morris (our president) is interviewed on a regular

basis.We don't post every interview but I thought I

would post this one. Andrew (our events coordinator)

has a daughter Illy who started her own web show

called Illy Z TV. Illy is an 11 year old who is energetic,

silly and full of life.While forming her web show, Illy

wanted to engage her audience in issues of emergency

facing children today. Her first choice, Love146.

Please send us your projects which address abolition.

I would love to post them.

(email me at: d.rodgers@love146.org)

with joy,

Desirea

The potential of political advocacy

2009-07-09T12:47:00.004-04:00

It's so easy to be cynical about the strength of our political voice and vote. However, it has been proven time and time again when people choose against apathy, things can change!

I invite you to join the letter-writing campaign initiated by our friends at International Justice Mission--this one urges Congress to pass the Child Protection Compact Act of 2009.

The CPCA would provide funds to select countries with a high prevalence of child trafficking, when those countries enter into a 3-year compact with the US. Each compact will contain a detailed plan for the country, including specific objectives, benchmarks to be obtained, allocation of funds, and accountability protocol. The selected countries must meet criteria for financial need, have demonstrated a political will to work against trafficking in children, and propose an identifiable, sustainable impact. The funds ($50,000,000 total available) are to be used for the protection of vulnerable children and rescuing of children from trafficking, and will be disbursed in accordance with the methods and goals agreed upon in the compact. National governments, local governments and non-governmental agencies will be able to apply for grants to implement programs and initiatives that further the countries’ objectives.

Click here to send a letter by JULY 10.

146 steps to the crown.

2009-07-06T14:01:00.005-04:00

It’s amazing how a number can stay with you. I don’t think of her as a number. The number (146) was the number her slaveholders gave her. She has a name we just don’t know it, so the number stays. If I did know her name, I would shout it out. I would find a hill at the top of the world and shout her name until the sound of it filled the clouds, until the clouds formed a storm, until the storm released its justice on traffickers and healed the captives with its rain. Until we saw liberty from tyranny.

On Independence Day, I was listening to NPR (a healthy addiction) but I wasn’t really paying attention and then I heard the number, number 146. I was in the kitchen. I turned toward the radio and held my breath a bit as if I had just heard the name of a friend being spoken. The reporter continued with his story. 354 steps total but there are 146 steps to reach the crown of the great statue. These steps are the hardest set. They were closed after Sept. 11, 01. A narrow double helix staircase with no option of turning back. An Egyptologist likened the claustrophobic experience to being inside an underground chamber of a pyramid. It is tiring, constricting, intensely uncomfortable. But, after these 146 steps you reach the crown. The crown with seven spikes representing the seven continents and oceans on our planet. A crown reopened on Independence Day at the top of a statue representing liberty.

Abolition is fraught with tiring work. It can be intensely uncomfortable and there is no turning back but if we climb these steps, we will see liberty on our planet.

“Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.” - MLK

with joy,

Desirea

Back to Cambodia

2009-07-01T13:14:00.006-04:00

Dr. Glenn Miles (the Love146 director of Asia Prevention) and his family will be moving back to Cambodia July 18^th. We thought it would be fun to introduce you to Glenn and his family. So, every day on Twitter we will be tweeting a Miles Family fun fact. Didn’t know we had a Twitter account? Of course we do, go here to view it!

Below is a bit more about Glenn. What it doesn’t say is that Glenn and his wife Siobhan are two of the most intelligent, humble people I have ever met. The fire of abolition burns through their work and their lives. It is an honour to have them as part of our team.

The Love146 Asia Prevention Program is overseen by Dr. Glenn Miles.

Dr. Miles, has a PhD in Childhood Studies focusing on violence involving children and 20 years experience of working on child rights issues in developing countries. A British trained child health nurse who has over 20 years experience focused on child health and welfare in Asia. He is married to Siobhan Miles, a clinical nurse specialist in HIV/AIDs and they have 3 children, Zoe, Hannah and Sarah. His most recent overseas assignment was with Tearfund UK (www.tearfund.org) as their Children at Risk advisor in Cambodia. He was on the IJM Aftercare development committee, and with Viva Equip (www.viva.org) he has helped to develop the ‘Celebrating Children’ course (www.celebratingchildrentraining.info) with accompanying text-book (co-edited with J.J. Wright, Paternoster 2003) to equip child care workers in developing countries. He has also developed a series of Children at Risk Guidelines for Tearfund. Glenn helped to roll out the CC course in Cambodia and 9 countries in Asia and 4 in Africa. He recently completed a PhD (University of Wales) on the ‘Experiences and understandings of Cambodian children to violence and abuse’ which became part of the UN Study on Violence Against Children and has been used to advocate with children in Cambodia and at Regional and International conferences. Glenn has also published several applied research papers on children at risk in Cambodia, Thailand and Sri Lanka. He has also taught at all levels up to Postgraduate level and has himself a Postgraduate Certificate in Education.

Preventing children from being sold as slaves is at the very foundation of Love146. Imagine a world where no safehomes existed because they aren’t needed.

with joy,

Desirea

Glenn, Siobhan, Zoe, Hannah and Sarah Miles.

He's out of there.

2009-06-23T17:27:00.004-04:00

Last week was difficult, I heard one too many horror stories. I don't always know where that line is (the line between being able to live in hope and not being able to sleep or function well) but I crossed it last week. Slavery is so very ugly.

I left the office one day and asked myself, why do I do this? The answer came. It was small but clear; because I know what Love looks like.

Love is when a little girl who used to sit in the corner outside a safehome and pour dirt over her body runs up to you arms akimbo laughing and chattering in Thai.

Love is when a child has no memory of being raped because a prevention program did its job.

Love is watching a girl sing and play guitar when not that long ago she threw herself out of a fourth story brothel because escape was going to happen one way or another.

Love looks like the abolition movement that we are all a part of. I see it in your emails, and in your action.

Love is the power that will end slavery.

Stephen Baldwin decided to leave the reality show I'm a celebrity get me out of here due to health concerns (if you would like to read more about it, go here).

Love146 is grateful for the awareness that came from Stephen's effort on the show. There are so many more people that know the story of 146, her story, because of what Stephen did.

Love looks like a little girl standing behind glass with a number pinned to her chest, sold as a slave and still being able to say "you don't own me" through her eyes.

The Love story continues. That's reality.

Road Trip.

2009-06-18T11:09:00.014-04:00

Love146 was invited by the Fray to participate in the EcoVillage on their tour this summer. As an office full of hipsters, we were thrilled receive such a high profile invite; and as the new office intern, I was shocked and highly graced to be chosen to attend the first concert just outside of Washington D.C.

I set out with Anastasia at 6AM to make the journey. In addition to raising awareness about Love146 at the venue, this trip was also a pilgrimage for Anastasia and I to find a Chick-Fil-A, a fast food restaurant which we bonded over our devotion to. There are no Chick-Fil-As in the tri-state area. None. It really hurts.

At 9:30 we stopped to refuel at a service station. Distracted by Starbucks coffee and lots of big trucks, we actually neglected our very thirsty car and hit the highway again, pleased and relieved with our lattes. Not twenty minutes later, I hear Anastasia say, "Somethings wrong with this car! It's not working!" Sitting on the side of the Jersey Turnpike waiting for AAA for two hours, we watched the minutes tick, realizing with self-loathing and fury that we we're going to miss our lunch at Chick-Fil-A, still a hundred miles away.

At one point, I wailed, "Where is Chick Fil A!!??? We called them an hour ago!!!!"
"Do you mean Triple A?" "...Oh. I guess so."

When we finally arrived, after a dash for chicken sandwiches, our next task was to find a hotel. We saw a cluster of blue directional signs. Figuring the blue "H" sign must mean Hotel, we followed it and ended up at a Hospital. It was quite an adventure, I haven't laughed so much in months.
It did end up being an awesome experience. When we arrived at the concert, our brains were waiting for us, we did quite well and had some amazing conversations about abolition.

But when it comes to a road trip with Anastasia and I, all I can say is:
"Everyone knows we're in over our heads, over our heads."

Much love Abolitionists,
The Intern
(aka Marilyn)

Voting is open!

2009-06-17T11:46:00.002-04:00

Voting continues until 8pm tonight for I'm a celebrity get me out of here.

If you're so inclined, you can vote by phone (1.877.553.3710) or online (here). Up to ten times!

The longer Stephen Baldwin stays on the more awareness and funds are raised.

Thanks for joining us in this!

Desirea

Feeling the Love

2009-06-11T10:06:00.008-04:00

Our good friends at Brains on Fire sent us some Love this week. Watching the staff go after the packets of individual coffee (Brains on Fire has excellent taste in coffee) was like watching one of those nature shows where the pack swarms a poor defenseless deer.

Their generosity got me thinking about what a Love146 package could look like. A deep fried spider from Cambodia,

A fertilized duck embryo from the Philippines, and

a Thai iced tea to wash it all down.

Thanks to everyone over at Brain's on Fire, you are loved and appreciated. Your package is on its way...

Desirea

I'm a celebrity (you know the rest...)!

2009-06-10T11:50:00.002-04:00

This week on “I’m a celebrity get me out of here” Stephen Baldwin talked about why his charity choice is Love146. He asked the question “how far would you go if this was your child?”

For me, this question was answered by the fact that I’m actually watching a reality show about celebrities camping in the jungle.

All joking aside, the longer Stephen stays the more awareness and funds will come. Within the first hour that Stephen mentioned us on NBC we received 5,000 hits on our website. We have also seen donations come in over the past two days from people saying they heard about us through Stephen.

This reality show is definitely not something I would normally tune in to but we are grateful to Stephen and each of you spreading the word for joining the collective shout.

I think of the girl that returned to our safehome this week. She has no idea that her life is being affected by people in the US watching a TV show. I think of all the children who will never know sex slavery because our prevention programs are being funded by people hearing about Love146 through Stephen Baldwin. You know, there are weird things that happen in the world everyday and there are some deeply beautiful things as well, and then there’s a reality TV show that’s bringing them both together.

Thanks friends,

Desirea

She knew she could always come Home again.

2009-06-09T09:34:00.006-04:00

You may remember this story from our safehome in the Philippines

Her mother left the family when she was 5. Her father was murdered shortly after. Relatives and neighbors took her in and sexually used her. She ran away to the streets, only to be abused further. At 13 she was caught and put in a detention center for youth where she lived through further trauma.

She came to the safehome after 4 years of the detention center. She thrived. She said the safehome was her first real Home, it was the first place where she experienced real Love. Being cared for, she realized that she wanted to care for others. She was eventually reintegrated with her brothers and grandmother. Love146 assisted this family in different ways and kept in contact with this girl.

Recently, her grandmother died. At this point her uncles became abusive and exploitive. She ran away again but this time she was running toward Home. She knew she could call, she knew she would be welcomed with open arms full of Love.

She called from Manila, the staff immediately went and brought her Home again.

Love never fails.

Love never abuses.

Love never values you differently because you are a girl.

Love always hears your voice.

Love drives in to Manila the moment you call.

Loves says your Home is always your Home.

To everyone who watched last night -

2009-06-02T13:45:00.001-04:00

Just stay away from my shampoo.

It begins...

2009-06-01T10:34:00.004-04:00

Tonight is the night.

I'm a celebrity, get me out of here begins on NBC.

NBC is expecting 4-8 million viewers per episode. The longer Stephen Baldwin stays on the more money will be donated to Love146.

We will keep you guys updated with new information. Please spread the word (seriously, we can't do this without you), this could be a major source of funding which will provide prevention and aftercare to the children we serve.

I'm a celebrity, get me out of here will be on:

Monday-Thursday (that's right 4 nights a week!) from 8-9 (although tonight's premiere is 2 hrs.)

June 1 -18 and:

Monday-Wednesday from 8-9, June 22-24

So, even though June is one of the most beautiful months of the year, stay inside, watch TV and vote:) (who really needs sunshine and fresh air)

Abolition!

Desirea

I'm a celebrity, get me out of here!

2009-05-27T15:29:00.003-04:00

"A groundbreaking, live event airing throughout the month of June it's the ultimate "Swiss Family Robinson" as ten celebrities are dropped into the heart of the jungle to face fun and comedic challenges designed to test their survival skills. America is the puppet master, controlling their favorites by putting them into challenges and tasks to win food, supplies and luxury items. In each episode, friendships will be tested, hilarity will ensue and viewers will decide which celebrities stay or leave. While all participants will be playing for their favorite charities, the last remaining star will be crowned King or Queen of the Jungle, winning the largest share of the prize for donation." Is how I'm a celebrity, get me out of here describes itself.

So why am I telling you about a reality show? Because Stephen Baldwin is playing for Love146! That's pretty exciting. The other exciting thing is that it seems America actually gets to decide who stays or leaves. Did you ever think that you could further abolition by watching a reality TV show? Me neither but hey I'm willing to try.

In other Baldwin news (I'm a little weirded out that I just wrote that.) Alec Baldwin has been talking about meeting with Rob Morris and his support of Love146.

News like this is exciting but it takes a movement to abolish slavery. So, to Stephen, Alec, Liz T, Sally R, Spike J and everyone else who raises their voice and joins the movement - Keep going.

with joy,

Desirea

When tomorrow comes

2009-05-13T12:03:00.002-04:00

When I think of people who have really changed the world, they all seem to have something in common. They all share an amazing ability to not only see the world as it is, but also as it could be. Think about Desmond Tutu, Nelson Mandela, William Wilberforce, Gandhi, Jesus, Martin Luther King Jr., etc. I could go on and on. None of these people lived in denial of their current circumstances or the realities of the injustices they were confronting. They saw the world as it was. But they saw something else as well.

I have a picture of Martin Luther King Jr. on my desk. There is a throng of people around him all trying to get his attention. But he is looking beyond them, staring off into the distance. There is a look in his eyes that grips me. It’s as if something else has caught his attention. I think he was seeing another world. A world that he called a dream. The world as it was meant to be. A world without injustice.

We live in a world where children, the most innocent and vulnerable among us, suffer from horrendous injustices. I see a different world for children. A world where children are not sold as commodities. A world where children are safe. Where they are free. Where they can play and not be afraid. A world where they can just be children.

Can you see it?

For several years, my oldest daughter and I celebrated her birthdays by going to see a Broadway show together. One of our favorite shows is Les Miserables. At the end of the play, the cast begins to march toward the audience singing an invitation to join them in their fight. When I first heard it, I about jumped out of my seat to join them on stage. There is something about an invitation to not only see another world, but to do something about bringing it as well. That kind of invitation resonates inside of the deepest part of me. I’d like to extend to you, the same invitation:
"Do you hear the people sing?
Singing the songs of angry men?
It is the music of a people who will not be slaves again
When the beating of your heart, echoes the beating of the drums
There is a life about to start when tomorrow comes

Will you join in our crusade?
Who will be strong and stand with me?
Somewhere beyond the barricade
Is there a world you long to see?
Do you hear the people sing
Say, do you hear the distant drums?
It is the future that they bring
When tomorrow comes!"

Will you join us? I want to be in this with you.

-Rob

Mother's Day E-Cards Are Here!

2009-05-08T08:21:00.005-04:00

Click here to order one.

You know she deserves it...

Make me a bird...

2009-05-04T23:16:00.003-04:00

There is a scene in the movie Forrest Gump that shreds me every time I see it. When young Forrest and little Jenny are running to get away from Jenny’s abusive father, they hide out in a field and Jenny desperately prays; “Dear God, make me a bird. So I could fly far. Far far away from here.”

This past week I had the staggering privilege of being with children who are getting their wings back. Wings that were once broken are being made strong again. While we celebrated the opening of our new safehome in the Philippines, I watched as children danced and sang. I watched them giggle and laugh like children should. I watched children fly. I live for these moments. Tonight, I’m going to hold my kids. I may never let go.

Our girls at the opening of the Round Home...Are those wings I see?

-Rob

More Pictures From the Philippines

2009-04-29T13:31:00.008-04:00

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.

2009-04-29T11:45:00.009-04:00

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

2009-04-28T12:11:00.006-04:00

The girls put on a dance performance for the opening.

The Round Home

2009-04-28T11:37:00.002-04:00

A place of dreams

2009-04-28T11:19:00.004-04:00

Photos - The girls moving in.

2009-04-28T10:29:00.011-04:00

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

A home built of Love.

Unfurled wings

2009-04-26T06:31:00.005-04:00

“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.

2009-04-24T11:56:00.003-04:00

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

2009-04-23T10:50:00.004-04:00

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!

2009-04-22T15:12:00.006-04:00

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

2009-04-13T12:23:00.001-04:00

April, Ahhh.......

2009-04-09T14:55:00.008-04:00

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.

Love146 Volunteers Rally For Spring Newsletter

2009-03-26T11:57:00.004-04:00

Love146 volunteers gathered at the New Haven office yesterday and with amazing endurance (and a couple pounds of candy) they completed the mailing of our spring newsletter.

You guys are key in our fight for abolition! Thank you for all your hard work!!

International Day of Remembrance

2009-03-25T11:29:00.004-04:00

The UN has noted today as the “International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade.” Fredrick Douglass gave this speech, read by Danny Glover on July 5, 1852. Douglass gave the speech at an event commemorating the signing of the Declaration of Independence, held at Rochester's Corinthian Hall. It was a piercing oratory, in which Douglass told his audience, "This Fourth of July is yours, not mine.”

As we remember those who were once enslaved, we are also reminded of our mission to serve those still enslaved and fight for the abolition of the slavery of children. Thank you for joining the fight.

-Liz

Spider-Man to the rescue

2009-03-24T15:03:00.002-04:00

Just saw this amazing news story.

An autistic child in Thailand, frightened because it was his first day at school, crawled out of a three story window and ended up stuck out on the ledge, refusing to come back in. Teachers and authorities tried to coax the little boy to come back inside, but to no avail.

At one point the boy’s mother remarked that the little guy LOVED super-heroes. This little piece of knowledge prompted a fireman to run back to the firehouse where he kept a Spider-Man costume in his locker. (Normally used to liven up fire drills). He ran back to the scene dressed as Spider-Man!

And as the BBC reports; “The sight of Mr.Yoosabai (the fireman) dressed as Spider-Man and holding a glass of juice for him, brought a big smile to the boy's face, and he promptly threw himself into the arms of his "superhero", police said.”

LOVE this!!!
Oh, for a world filled with ordinary super-heroes!!!
Now go ahead and dust off that cape.

-Rob

Here’s a link to the story: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7961208.stm

A Part to Play?

2009-03-20T09:35:00.010-04:00

Playing a part?

On of my favorite artists, a French photographer who goes by JR, has recently landed in Cambodia. JR is well known for his large scale black and white portraits that he pointedly plasters around a given city, town, or community. He is rarely vocal about his portraits, and he rarely explains the projects that he is working on. One quote I found, was from a similar project he did in France, ""The photos have a lot of messages," JR said. "But the main one is: 'Look at me, I exist, I'm larger than life.'" Seeing his latest work from Cambodia gave me chills. Cambodia has an unfortunate notoriety for trafficking and the exploitation of women... and we do a lot of prevention work there. The faces of these women in the portraits feels so telling of their fight. Scorn and sadness. Maybe I'm just projecting because of the work that I do. Maybe not. Maybe that is the point of art like this... striking a nerve of passion. Art can be so filled with controversy, not even including the controversy that he is a street artist.

My question is, does this type of art play a part in the abolition fight, or is it a clanging cymbal?

St. Patrick was a slave

2009-03-16T12:41:00.007-04:00

(Painting by Jane Duke)

Though he didn't chase the snakes out of Ireland and probably never really used a shamrock to explain the mystery of the Trinity, St. Patrick well deserves to be honored. And not just by the Irish (or those who want to be Irish…and you know who you are).

Patrick is perhaps one of the most famous survivors of child trafficking. When he was only 16 he was kidnapped by Irish raiders from his home in Britain and brought to Ireland as a slave. He spent 6 years there in slavery, before escaping (by walking over 200 miles to the Irish coast) and returning to Britain on a ship.

After returning home he had a recurring dream that called him back to Ireland. A man Patrick knew in Ireland, appeared to him in this dream, holding letters, one of which he handed to Patrick. The letter was entitled "The Voice of the Irish." Upon reading just the title, he heard a multitude of voices crying out to him: "Holy boy, we beg you to come and walk among us once more." And you know the rest of the story.

Not surprisingly, Patrick’s own experience in captivity left him with an intense hatred of slavery, and he would later become one of the first human beings in history to speak out unequivocally against it.

Thomas Cahill in his book, “How the Irish Saved Civilization” writes; “The papacy did not condemn slavery as immoral until the end of the 19th century, but here is Patrick in the fifth century seeing it for what it is. I think that shows enormous insight and courage and a tremendous 'fellow feeling'—the ability to suffer with other people and to understand what other people's suffering is like.”

So…what if we did more than just lift a pint to honor the life and work of Saint Patrick? What if we also embraced his understanding of the intrinsic value and great worth of every human being, especially the broken and excluded. What if we had the same tenacity to bring about change? What if we went way beyond dressing in green and downing a Guinness, and decided to not only “understand what other people's suffering is like”, but to attempt to end that suffering as well?

Here’s to Saint Patrick!

Here’s to Abolition!

Cheers!

-Rob

Trash or Tool?

2009-03-04T15:50:00.005-05:00

A few weeks ago I went to see the movie Taken. I had no idea that the movie dealt with human trafficking and sex slavery of children. I went because it was a friend’s birthday and she wanted to see “a mindless thriller” (she didn’t know what it was about either). The premise of the movie is that a young 17 year old American girl travels with a friend to Europe. After arriving they are charmed by a man who offers to share a cab with them thereby learning the location of their flat. A few hours later several men break into the flat and kidnap the girls into a sex slavery ring. Meanwhile her American father who was some kind of government agent/spy learns of this and flies over to rescue his daughter discovering this human trafficking ring.

I will admit sitting in the theatre watching a man take down and even torture traffickers was personally restorative, for about 4 minutes (please know that I do not advocate violence in any way). After that, all of the complications of this issue crowded my brain. I recalled a conversation that took place in Cambodia, when a wise woman challenged us saying “you know what is wrong with you Americans?” “You react, you don’t think.” Those words still stay with us. I do have those cowboy fantasies sometimes. I think how great it would be to knock down brothel doors, kick some a** and carry children out. But that emotionally based reaction would cause several ramifications that would actually harm more children in the future and damage the furthering of abolition. That is why Love146 values collaboration among all who are thoughtfully and thoroughly combating child sex slavery. All of us working together with purpose will see abolition realized.

I thought there were many flaws with this movie but there was one that left me leaving the theatre in rage. I felt they cheapened the lives of the children and women who face this each day as a reality by making it a brainless Hollywood drama. I won’t go into detail (this blog is already long) but I wanted to pose a question. The day after seeing the movie, I came into the office and started talking to some of my co-workers about it. One co-worker in particular had a completely different take. He viewed any coverage of human trafficking as a good thing, raising the level of conscience about the issue with the general public. We did in fact have someone contact us who found Love146 through internet research after seeing the film. I go back and forth. Is it good that to Hollywood this has become a “mainstream” issue? Is bringing it to the public (no matter how you do it) a good thing? Will it raise more awareness? I still don’t feel that it is honoring to women and children who are living as slaves. I still feel it perpetuates a destructive cowboy mentality. Do we have to dumb things down? Maybe we do.

This film’s budget was $45,000,000.00 its gross revenue was $61,144,470.00 – not everything is about money. Awareness can lead to Action, which will lead to Abolition. If this film brings that closer, than money is not an issue. I do not live in a dream world (well, sometimes I do), but I do wonder why it appears to be easier to raise/earn funds for a 2 hour film than to help end child sex slavery and exploitation.

I think of this spring when I will visit safehomes. Looking at these girls who have been through torture and are now growing, healthy and loved I will think of this film and be ashamed that one day they might see it. But who am I to judge? One of the last scenes of the film is the father embracing his little girl as she sobs “you came for me.” Isn’t that what these little girls were wishing for night after night? Someone who would come for them. I just think if we all work together we might be able do a better job and bring lasting change.

So, is this sort of entertainment trash or do we use it as a tool?

Still angry but hopeful,

Desirea

2009-03-02T16:40:00.003-05:00

This email arrived from our safehome in the Philippines and we rejoiced.

(please excuse the poor picture, but I wanted you to see her dress).

Abolition and Restoration,

Desirea

It was a junior-senior prom, and she was there. Not where she could have been if...

She's back on track, continuing to enjoy the highlights of high school life.

Restored.

Gundelina (Dr. G. Velazco, Love146 Director of Aftercare)

An Admirable Resolve

2009-02-20T12:29:00.002-05:00

“So enormous, so dreadful, so irremediable did the Trade's wickedness appear that my own mind was completely made up for Abolition. Let the consequences be what they would, I from this time determined that I would never rest until I had effected its abolition.” -William Wilberforce

May we never rest.

Feeling the Love in Florida.

2009-02-18T13:58:00.001-05:00

Love says NO...

2009-02-17T12:01:00.002-05:00

to arrogance

to cynicism

to pessimism

to giving up.

-Rob

Love Thoughts

2009-02-11T13:59:00.002-05:00

2009-02-09T10:47:00.003-05:00

We asked Raphiella a middle school student from the U.S. "what does it mean to be a slave?"
She said: "what it means to be a slave is when people don't appreciate you and how you look and [it means] how they mistreat you the way they think you don't have any sense of humor, you don't have anything in your body you just have tears and you just have fear." We then asked her “how do you know someone loves you?” “Because they appreciate you and hug you.”

Margaret Walker said that [Love] “makes you big inside.” It is an ever expansion, an invitation, a freedom. Love is the greatest gift of all. Love lives in each one of us and invites others in. Love is found in the faces of mothers, fathers, friends. It lives in the hands that bring healing and end slavery. It breathes through words that give freedom and break chains. Love frees each child from a disgusting cage and whispers,

  Hope, abolition, restoration, it is all found in Love. Love knows that you have a sense of humor, knows that you are beautiful and it frees your body of the years that tears and fear have been your only friends. Love always sings back your own song and wraps your body in safe embrace, replacing the cage.

As many of you know, we have been tirelessly working on our new round safehome in the Philippines. As we near our completion date in April, we have taken time to reflect on the magnitude of this responsibility. The responsibility of this great love. That is why this Valentine's Day we are focusing on our prevention efforts. Our reflections bring us to the fact that the best safehome, is one that is eventually empty.

So, this Valentine’s Day we need to raise $15,000. This money will be used to develop an animated video, beginning in the Philippines and reaching thousands of children across Asia. This animation is the third installment of a series dedicated to educate children on issues of sexual abuse. The video will specifically deal with the issues of trafficking. This series has seen tremendous prevention success already. This ongoing project will prevent children from knowing sexual slavery and exploitation.

Because Valentine’s Day is all about Love:
Consider a Donation
Throw a Valentine’s Day dinner and raise funds
Give your Love a gift that changes lives (Ecards, New Tshirts)
We need your partnership this Valentine’s Day season. Please consider giving.

I will be sending email updates with funds raised for our V-Day Project and to tease you with a Program launch we will be announcing before the end of February.

with Love as always,

Desirea Rodgers
Co-Founder/Creative Director

          Check out our winning t-shirt design here!  This t-shirt was designed by Jonathan Bowden of Kreathaus . (take a look at his other work!)

To send an E-card, go here

T-shirt from kristique

2009-02-06T11:02:00.007-05:00

I just heard from Adam at

www.kristique.com they designed a

t-shirt that benefits Love146!

Thanks to Adam and his entire team for supporting Love146.

Keep up the Love.

Abolition!

The Girl Effect

2009-02-05T15:24:00.003-05:00

Another inspiration for today.

Who would have guessed that the World Economic Forum would look to girls to end poverty.

A couple of quotes -

"We found that the most neglected, at risk, and unsupported part of the world's population, also happened to be the part of the world's population that could make the biggest impact if supported with economic opportunities." Mark Parker

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala talked about the Bank's Adolescent Girls Initiative, which connects girls in developing countries to job opportunities linked to labor market demand. She summed it up nicely, "Investing in women is smart economics...Investing in girls is even smarter economics because we believe that investing in girls is at the center of development."

Supporting education and employment opportunities for young women, not only will be effective in ending poverty but also in abolishing child sex slavery.

To read the full article, click here.

Inspiration.

2009-02-05T10:52:00.001-05:00

This inspired me today. I wanted to share it.

Desirea

1.5.09 TRAFFICKING NEWS

2009-02-05T10:11:00.000-05:00

Nelson Mandela said “education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Fight trafficking every day by educating yourself and those around you. -liz

AFGHANISTAN: Child servitude, marriage resemble modern-day slavery

In Afghanistan, particularly in poor rural communities, child slavery and debt bondage practices are growing, but are often disguised as marriage, labour or family affairs not requiring state intervention. Extreme poverty, lack of awareness about child rights, weak law enforcement and strong conservative traditions are among the problems which have pushed many minors - boys and girls - into situations of peonage, child rights activists say. “These practices - the selling of children and servitude - have the very characteristics of modern slavery which have been overlooked by the government and other actors,” said Ajmal Samadi, an analyst of the Afghanistan Rights Monitor (ARM), a local rights watchdog.

For the full story please see www.irinnews.org Link

MySpace Steps Up

2009-02-04T08:42:00.001-05:00

MySpace removes 90,000 sex offenders

RALEIGH, NC, US- About 90,000 sex offenders have been identified and removed from the social networking Web site MySpace, company and law enforcement officials said Tuesday. The number was nearly double what MySpace officials originally estimated last year, said North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper, who along with Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal has led efforts to make social networking Web sites safer for young users. Cooper said he wasn't surprised by the updated numbers, and demanded that MySpace and rival online networking site Facebook — which claim to have more than 170 million users combined — do more to protect children and teenagers.

For the full story please see msnbc.com Link

Safehome Update

2009-02-03T10:46:00.005-05:00

I can't help but think,

This will be a place where children

Run

Play

Laugh

Dance

Cry

Embrace

Begin

Fly

Thank you for being a part of this.

Abolition and Restoration,

Desirea

1.3.09 TRAFFICKING NEWS

2009-02-03T09:39:00.002-05:00

Police arrest gang accused of human trafficking

Dubai- Police recently arrested a gang accused of human trafficking. The department for combating organized crime was able to detain the suspects who were accused of holding women and forcing them into committing indecent acts. Information was passed to the Dubai Police's Criminal Investigation Department (CID) about a gang who was said to be holding a number of women and forcing them into prostitution. The information was followed up by a police team from the department for verification, evidence was collected and a plan for capturing the gang members set up. After intensive investigations, the team arrested the gang leader (Sh. S), who tried to elude the police by telling them that he was a customer. The police also arrested (K.K), who also tried to misguide the police by saying he worked in the kitchen in the flat the police raided.

For the full story please see www.gulfnews.com Link

2.2.09 TRAFFICKING NEWS

2009-02-02T09:11:00.001-05:00

Nelson Mandela said “education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Fight trafficking every day by educating yourself and those around you. -liz

SYRIA: First shelter for trafficked people opens in Damascus

DAMASCUS, SYRIA- A shelter for people trafficking victims has just opened in an undisclosed location in Damascus. It is the first of its kind in Syria, which has only recently recognized human trafficking as a problem but still has no specific laws against it. Human trafficking is only just starting to gain widespread public attention in the region: Jordan passed a law to penalize people trafficking only last week; a similar Egyptian law is still in draft form, and other countries like Lebanon still have no specific legislation against people traffickers. The new shelter has 20 beds, a communal area, a kitchen and a bathroom. Further rooms are for medical treatment, psychological care and legal advice. A second shelter is planned for the northern city of Aleppo.

For the full story please see www.irinnews.org Link

1.30.09 TRAFFICKING NEWS

2009-01-30T11:25:00.000-05:00

Nelson Mandela said “education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Fight trafficking every day by educating yourself and those around you. -liz

Georgia legislator fights sex abuse with strip club tax

GEORGIA, US- For some people, it may be a sin tax. For others, the proposed state fee to be charged to strip club patrons is a resource for fighting one of Atlanta's most dire threat to young women across the city. Sen. Jack Murphy, a Republican state legislator from Cumming, Georgia, is introducing a bill in this year's session that will add a fee of up to five dollars to patrons of strip clubs. The money, he announced Thursday morning at a press conference with State Sen. Renee Unterman (R-Buford), would be used to offset the costs of state services that help exploited children. The pair made the announcement as part of the introduction of this session's legislative agenda for the Joint House-Senate Commission on the Sexual Exploitation of Minors. Unterman, who is chair of the Senate Ethics Committee, reportedly told local press that she is concerned because "young girls are prostituted on Georgia’s streets, on Craigslist, through escort services and in major hotels."

For the full story please see examiner.com Link

Clinton and Boxer on Women's Rights

2009-01-28T10:25:00.000-05:00

1.26.09 TRAFFICKING NEWS

2009-01-26T11:08:00.000-05:00

Nelson Mandela said “education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Fight trafficking every day by educating yourself and those around you. -liz

Hearing continues in child prostitution case

UPPER DARBY, PA- A preliminary hearing is set to continue today in Delaware County for a woman suspected of running a child prostitution ring. 34-year-old Liberian immigrant Ophelia Cheayee is in jail, charged with molesting a 13-year-old girl from Liberia. That girl and four other teenage girls from Liberia lived in Cheayee's Upper Darby house. Police have been trying to determine if Cheayee lured the girls from West Africa, then forced them into prostitution.

For the full story please see abclocal.go.com Link