Not For Sale
Posted in Charity on 06/29/2007 09:10 am by delangefamilyIf I told you there is 27 million slaves in the world today, and that the slave trade generates $32 billion annually would you believe me? I wouldn’t have either until I did my research. I would have said there is absolutely NO slavery except for a few unique, very sad stories here and there. It is amazing that most of us don’t know about the epidemic taking over our world right under our noses.
I first heard about it when I was talking to my dad a few months ago when he told me a story. He said that when my uncle- who is also my dad’s business partner was in Dubai in a local bar and heard some commotion going on behind him. When he asked what is was about- since he didn’t speak the language- the man he was with explained that a young girl was just auctioned off to the highest bidder. Now obviously this story upset me very much, but at the same time, I figured it was an isolated incident and only wished I could have been there to win the bid and get the young girl help. But when my dad and I continued to talk about it, he said there is a lot of the same thing going on around the world.
I felt drawn to the matter so I started doing some research on my own. I have come to find out that “The commerce in human beings today rivals drug trafficking and illegal arms trade for the top criminal activity on the planet.” In one of Bush’s speeches after 9/11 he remarked on the ongoing epidemic stating that “Each year 800,000 to 900,000 human beings are bought, sold, or forced across the world’s borders.”
Now, the question for me isn’t does it exist… it is… how do we make it cease to exist?
You all know me, and you all know I’m not a very political person- I have to constantly ask Tyler which party it is we belong to. But I really feel passionate about this problem. Ever since I learned about all of this I go to bed at night thinking of all the children out there who are forced to do sexual favors, or labor day in and day out until someone can rescue them from their fate. As I lay awake I wonder how many scared little girls there are at that very moment out there being forced to perform 10+ tricks a night while I am under a safe roof with a loving husband and family. Then I wonder what can someone like me do anyways? How can someone like me- with as little knowledge and little training do? Then I wonder how is it that I was so blessed, and it’s then that I realize I was put in a position in this world where I can make a difference. In Relief Society a few Sundays ago we had a lesson on “Becoming Instruments in the Hands of God” – and the thing that keeps ringing in my head is a quote given by President James E. Faust:
“You can be powerful instruments in the hands of God to bring about this great work… You can do something for another person that no one else ever born can do.”
So what does that say to me? It makes me ask myself- what is it that I can offer that no one else can to these helpless victims. And I have come to realize that it is my heart, and it is the Gospel, because these people aren’t only slaves in the physical sense but also in the emotional, mental and spiritual sense. And I may not be super powerful in helping them out of the physical bondage- as I don’t have that kind of power or resources as a 22 year old politically ignorant girl- but I can provide shelter, guidance, love and the Gospel once they are freed from their physical bonds.
But how do I find them? First I wanted to spread the word. I think it is crucial that people start learning about this problem. I often wonder why we don’t hear about it on the news- but just because it isn’t on the news doesn’t mean it doesn’t exists. If people are aware- then eyes can be open to our surroundings, and we can learn to spot things that are out of the ordinary. It’s like those 3D Hidden pictures- if you didn’t know there was a picture hidden beneath all the colors- you would never think to stop and look, and even when you know it exists, it’s hard to see- but once you see it- it’s obvious.
Please take time to watch this short video Tyler has posted, and sign the petitions, it may seem like a small act- but if a million people make the small act of signing a piece of paper- it could be a big act. Also- if you feel intrigued I would suggest reading “Not for Sale” by David Batstone (it is graphic- but it is truth) – and rent the movie Amazing Grace (I haven’t seen it yet, but it is supposed to be inspirational).
Not For Sale Video –> http://www.concerttoendslavery.com/
Sign the Petition –> http://www.worldvision.org/nochildsoldiers
