tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20040515760794584402024-03-19T05:11:33.372-07:00The SOLD ProjectA grassroots organization dedicated to inspiring and empowering individuals to stop child prostitution before it beginsThe SOLD Projecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441404926782729640noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2004051576079458440.post-13017580938727236102010-04-05T07:07:00.001-07:002010-04-05T07:08:13.936-07:00Our Blog Has MovedHey all! Thanks for following our blog. However, we have recently changed over to using Wordpress. You can find our blog here... http://thesoldproject.wordpress.com/<br /><br />Check it out!The SOLD Projecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441404926782729640noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2004051576079458440.post-35492231383327359122009-10-05T06:31:00.000-07:002009-10-05T06:47:57.001-07:00Life in Thailand #2One of our main goals in developing The SOLD Project: Prevention Program is to create a program that is completely Thai run and (at some point) self-sustaining. So, the first thing on our agenda was to hire Thai staff. Well, not only did we find someone to fill the role of Program Manager, but we found THE PERFECT person! Blah Chermui. Born and raised in Thailand, Blah is a mother of three and has been out of work for sometime to raise her family. She was looking for a job just like this when we approached her about the position... perfect timing! In one month, Blah has taken off full steam ahead. She has found 150 more children in need of scholarships in Chiang Rai, built relationships with 4 more schools in the area, and spent a lot of time in the villages with families of our scholarship kids to find out what their individual needs are. Check out the <a href="http://www.thesoldproject.com/whoweare/" target="_blank">"Who We Are"</a> section on our website for Blah's profile! Next month we will have the new profiles ready of children in need of scholarships and will be looking for many new sponsors. $365 dollars a year is all it takes to help keep one child in school. Let me know if you are interested!!<br /><br />On another note... we recently purchased "The SOLD Mobile," an old pick-up truck that we will use for many different activities with the kids and with volunteers who come to Chiang Rai. When Nate and I leave the truck will continue to be used for SOLD work, so we are happy about the little investment. It's fun to drive and definitely feels like I'm back home in Crawfordsville, IN driving around in an old pick-up on country roads... although these roads are lined with rice fields (not corn fields :)<br /><br />The last update on SOLD is that we are beginning to raise funds to build an office/drop-in center. Our Program Director, TaWee Donchai, purchased land in the village where he grew up and where a large portion of our scholarship students live. He has decided he wants to give this land to SOLD to build a building that we can use for the following puposes: 1) As a drop-in center for students to visit after school for help with homework, English camps, and to hang out with SOLD staff and volunteers 2) SOLD Project Offices and 3) Long Term Volunteer housing. Essentially, This building will further our efforts of relationship building and mentorship for our scholarship students and will allow our staff to easily host events for students in the afternoons/weekends. Long term volunteer housing would provide accommodations for long term volunteer staff in Thailand - allowing them to experience village life and Thai culture. The estimated cost is $10,000 and could be done by January if the funds are raised quickly.<br /><br />My personal thoughts on all things SOLD...<br />I continue to be amazed and encouraged by the continuous growth that is occurring and that the vision continues to be "caught" by so many different people in so many different places with such different backgrounds. I feel so grateful to be in Thailand with the opportunity to see the fruits of our labor.<br /><br />Our staff continues to dream and to not let the size of our dreams get in the way! We have so much to accomplish and at times I feel the only thing getting in the way is finances. We are approaching the next stage and are in need of major funding in order to accomplish what needs to be accomplished here. If any of you have relationships to foundations or other sources of funding... we could definitely use your help!The SOLD Projecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441404926782729640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2004051576079458440.post-78998175456660383292009-10-05T06:30:00.000-07:002009-10-05T06:48:36.615-07:00Life in ThailandSoon after Nate proposed to me, we decided that we wanted to move to Thailand. For many reasons really, but first and foremost to further the work of The SOLD Project and begin developing "The SOLD Project Prevention Program" in the high risk areas of Northern Thailand. With our documentary film project now complete, The SOLD Project's main focus is now on preventing child prostitution in Thailand (specifically), but also around our world. The SOLD Project Scholarship Fund was founded in June of 2008 because we found that alleviating the financial burden education causes was the first step to preventing young children from being lured into the sex industry in Thailand. Since that time, Rachel Goble-Carey and myself began to dream about creating a holistic prevention program that would become more than just "throwing money at a problem", but a program that would address many struggles that adolescents face in Thailand.<br /><br />In short... Nate and I are here to develop this Prevention Program, hire Thai staff, build relationships with the communities that SOLD has a presence in, and immerse ourselves in the culture while doing so.<br /><br />Before family, friends, and God we professed our love... said our good-byes... sold our possessions... and headed to Thailand. After a glorious honeymoon in the island of Koh Tao, we spent the next 1 1/2 months leading a group of volunteers through Thailand to experience both the heartbreak and hope that exists throughout the issue of child prostitution. We had a total of 12 volunteers on 2 separate trips. I don't want to put words in the mouths of these amazing volunteers, but I would guarantee most of them would sum up the experience in 2 words: life changing<br /><br />The volunteer trips ended in Cat's village.... the location that Nate and I will be calling home for the next 9 months. We found a beautiful home to rent after learning that there are no such things as "apartments" in Chiang Rai. The house came fully furnished, including dishware, bedding, and Tokay Lizards (I won't get into how SCARY!!!! these creatures are.) To help combat the lizard issues we decided to get a dog. However, our new little French Bulldog, Ooshki Graeser, is currently smaller than most of these lizards that roam around. Mommy is hoping that soon he will be able to at least bark to warn me that they are near :) Don't get me wrong, our home does have redeeming qualities, such as a beautiful yard and plenty of room for guests (**wink wink**).<br /><br />So, what does The SOLD Project Prevention Program look like? And, what will Nate and I be doing over this next year?<br /><br />The Prevention Program is 4-fold 1) Scholarships... we currently have 54 children receiving financial help to stay in school. 2) Mentorship... each child receiving our scholarship must be in a mentoring relationship with a community leaders (these leaders are currently being chosen). 3) After School Program... each child must participate in the after school program which includes sports, art, and tutoring. 4) Human Trafficking Awareness Program... we are putting together curriculum that will be taught in the school to teach adolescents about the risks of trafficking in their area and also about the sex industry in Thailand.<br /><br />Nate and I start full-time at Bassan Wittaya Primary School (the school Cat attends) in late October. We will be teaching English, as well as running the After School Program and developing the Trafficking Awareness Program curriculum, alongside our new Thai staff. Our time here will also consist of expanding this program to reach other high-risk areas in Thailand, as well as developing a long-term volunteer program that will enable people to come and work with SOLD for months at a time.<br /><br />In the meantime, we are taking Thai language class, which I admit is a lot harder than I had imagined. I believe this has a lot to do with the fact that I haven't been in school for 3 years and don't like the whole studying thing :) We are also using this time to get acquainted with places, smells, driving, and married life.The SOLD Projecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441404926782729640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2004051576079458440.post-44640077065905836502009-07-12T10:17:00.000-07:002009-07-12T10:18:11.746-07:00American paedophile arrested in Chiang Mai<div id="content" class="pad"><div class="post" id="post-13890"><div class="post-header"><h1>American paedophile arrested in Chiang Mai</h1> <div id="single-date" class="date"><span>2009</span> July 9</div> </div><!--end post header--> <!--end meta--> <div class="entry clear"> <div class="snap_preview"><p>CMM reporters<br />At 4 p.m on July 1 at Chiang’s Provincial Police Region 5 headquarters, Pol.Lt.Col. Apichart Haptasin announced that US citizen, Robert Ward Cutler, 37, had been arrested on charges of paedophilia involving at least 5 young boys under the age of 15 years, the most recent victim being 13 years old.<br /><img src="http://democracyforburma.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/n3-paedophile.jpg?w=285&h=202" alt="n3-paedophile" title="n3-paedophile" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-13891" height="202" width="285" /> Robert Ward Cutler, an American citizen who had been working as a guest lecturer and researcher in Chiang Mai, shown being questioned by police after his arrest for sexual abuse of underage boys.</p><p><br />At the time of his arrest, the accused was working as a guest lecturer and researcher at a university in Chiang Mai. Previously, Cutler, a Fulbright scholar, had taught at Bard College in New York. A search of the his rented house in Muang district resulted in the seizure of a laptop computer, boxes of pornographic CDs and sex toys for use during anal intercourse.</p><p><br />Police were initially alerted to Cutler’s identity, place of work and crimes by the Australian police in Thailand, and subsequently contacted the Foundation of Child Development. Cooperation then took place between Region 5’s Office of Protection against Transnational Crime and other relevant organisations, including Rights of the Child in America and Australia, which resulted in Cutler’s interrogation and subsequent arrest.</p></div></div></div></div>The SOLD Projecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441404926782729640noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2004051576079458440.post-39201643762743922232009-07-11T20:05:00.000-07:002009-07-11T21:01:44.369-07:00Settling into our new home...Just like our last blog stated "Rachel and Nathan Graeser are heading to Thailand for 9 months." Well, here we are! We spent a restful romantic week on a southern tropical island of Thailand... Koh Tao. Now we are settled into Chiang Mai for one month as we lead a trip of 11 volunteers from the US. (more on that later :)<br /><br />At our wedding I was asked, "Do you think you'll be able to relax on your honeymoon in Thailand knowing what you know about that country?" I responded quickly with, "Well, the US has child prostitution and trafficking and I relax here just fine. Plus I have fallen in love with Thailand, so I'm sure we'll relax just fine." <br /><br />I've come back to that question a few times since returning to Thailand. This is my fourth time here, and every time I return I find a hundred new reasons to love this country. Sure, there are a lot of things about Thailand that I would like to see change... the education system, racism against Burmese and Hilltribe people, ripping off foreigners because we (supposedly) have lots of $, an abundance of street children, sex tourism feeding the economy, and extreme poverty. However, it doesn't take long to notice that there is so much this country has to offer besides red light districts and injustice.<br /><br />This trip to Thailand is different in so many ways... this time I have returned as a newlywed with my husband (who has never been here before!), this time I have a visa that allows me to stay for one year, this time I am here to work with and serve the people that SOLD has built relationships with over the past 2 years.<br /><br />I am sure that it will be an adventure that allows me to fall in love with Thailand and the people of Thailand even more. I am also sure our time here will be purposeful, change will begin to occur in Cat's village (Village of Pazaang), and we will continue to see why prevention work is beneficial and so needed. <br /><br />My husband, Nate, and I will be blogging as much as possible. So, please stay up to date via this blog and twitter (@thesoldproject).The SOLD Projecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441404926782729640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2004051576079458440.post-17653256439388389592009-06-28T21:57:00.000-07:002009-06-28T22:04:16.867-07:00Rachel and Nathan Graeser are headed to Thailand for 9 months... follow their's and The SOLD Project's journey here!<br /><br />The next year for The SOLD Project is focused on developing our prevention program in Chiang Rai, Thailand. Our hope is to create a holistic prevention program to be able to replicate in other villages in Thailand. No child should ever have to experience a life of exploitation, so please join us as we work in developing the area of prevention of child sexual exploiation.<br /><br />Become a part of the movement by:<br /><br />1) Creating awareness about this issue through <a href="http://apps.facebook.com/causes/10173/3430189?m=6d54c0aa">Facebook</a> and <a href="http://www.twitter.com/thesoldproject">Twitter</a><br />2) Consider joining our <a href="http://thesoldproject.com/team/">team of interns</a> for the Fall of 2009<br />3) Hosting a screening of "The SOLD Project:Thailand" in your home or community by downloading our <a href="http://thesoldproject.com/react/visiondinners.php">Party with a Purpose PDF</a> with statistics, SOLD documentary information, and Thai recipes<br />4) Getting creative: need inspiration? Visit our <a href="http://thesoldproject.com/react/">Re:Act Page</a> to see what others have done to help in the fight against child prostitution.The SOLD Projecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441404926782729640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2004051576079458440.post-66765519392242909902009-05-08T20:00:00.000-07:002009-05-08T20:10:22.527-07:00Chiang Mai!We just arrived in Chiang Mai this morning. It's a breath of fresh air after leaving BKK.<br /><br />Our time in the big city was good: we spent yesterday with Roy and Bonita Thompson of <a href="http://homeofnewbeginnings.com/about_us.htm">Home of New Beginnings</a> in BKK. They work with women who have decided to leave the sex industry and offer them educational opportunities. While there are many organizations in BKK doing wonderful work in aftercare, we were especially drawn to Home of New Beginnings because they put such emphasis on the importance of education as well as local staff/leadership.<br /><br />We spoke with Roy and Bonita about potential job opportunities for women that graduate with a high school diploma: waitressing, tourism opportunities, hotel work, etc. They put emphasis on the importance of learning english and graduating with a high GPA so that options for college were available. While their program is still too young to have stories of girls who have graduated<br />and gone in to the job field, their insights were affirming to our work in education as prevention.<br /><br />More to come...The SOLD Projecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441404926782729640noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2004051576079458440.post-73693434739649478462009-04-30T18:29:00.001-07:002009-04-30T18:32:05.746-07:00Thailand<span style="font-family: georgia;">Rachel and I are headed to Thailand on Tuesday, May 5 - May 20. Follow us on twitter @<a href="twitter.com/thesoldproject">thesoldproject</a> while we're traveling. We'll be bringing you updates from the ground on The SOLD Project Prevention Program and our partner organization <a href="http://www.vgcd.org">VCDF</a>.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">See you there!</span>The SOLD Projecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441404926782729640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2004051576079458440.post-57768915247639683502009-04-16T22:16:00.000-07:002009-04-16T22:25:49.297-07:00Thailand Trip and other fun news!<span style="font-family: georgia;">You guys are awesome... the response for the </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://thesoldproject.com/thailand/">exposure trip to Thailand</a><span style="font-family: georgia;"> has been beyond our wildest imagination. Every single applicant is phenomenal: how are we ever supposed to decide? We'll keep you posted as we dream up ways to incorporate everyone. The concept of an 'exposure trip' is really what broke Rachel and I's hearts for this from the beginning. We both heard about the issue and felt like we needed to move. </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: georgia;">Hearing</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> and </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: georgia;">seeing</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> seemed like the first realistic steps to take: so off she flew to Thailand, and off I flew to India. Those trips changed our lives. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">We sense the same willingness in you, our applicants. A willingness to let go of the comfortable in exchange for risk, adventure, a life of unknowing. Thank you for your willingness to let go of your own comforts in order to be exposed to this issue and find your place in it: we are confident that you will come back from this trip a changed and empowered person.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">In other news... Sparks has been in Waco, TX for the last couple of days and is set on relocating our national office there. I think she likes it. We're both headed off in separate directions to Illinois next week: </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://thesoldproject.com/tour/">Aurora and Edwardsville</a><span style="font-family: georgia;">. Do you know of anyone in the area? Invite them to come see the film! </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">Thank you for your support. Has anyone hosted a </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://thesoldproject.com/react/visiondinners.php">Party</a><span style="font-family: georgia;"> yet? We want to know so that you're story can inspire others! Email us: activist@thesoldproject.com.</span>The SOLD Projecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441404926782729640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2004051576079458440.post-92022995243842550232009-04-07T17:34:00.000-07:002009-04-07T17:44:20.754-07:00Liberty University ScreeningLiberty Universities Criminal Justice Club hosted their first "Red Event" ever this year during the first week of April. Students from the school spent an entire week promoting the event with visual demonstrations, speaking at convocations and media advertisement. They rallied together and created a great atmosphere for the students.<br /><br />Friday nights benefit concert featured five local bands and information about child prostitution and human trafficking throughout.<br /><br />Saturday evening Rachel Sparks screened SOLD:Thailand while sharing the stage with 4 other organizations (IJM, The Polaris Project and two different departments of the local law enforcement) who all shared their passions and suggested ways to combat this pandemic.<br /><br />The students were very responsive and were called to action in fighting child prostitution. <br /><br />Thanks Virginia and the students at Liberty University for hosting such a great event!The SOLD Projecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441404926782729640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2004051576079458440.post-59635127843653132012009-04-01T10:00:00.000-07:002009-04-01T10:19:53.994-07:00SOLD in the Midwest<o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="country-region"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="State"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="PlaceName"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="PlaceType"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="City"></o:smarttagtype><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p style="font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:78%;">The SOLD Project’s crew has had an amazing time traveling to visit different universities and faith based communities throughout the <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">US</st1:country-region></st1:place>. In March, Rachel Goble and Rachel Sparks spent two weeks traveling through <st1:country-region st="on">Georgia</st1:country-region>, <st1:state st="on">North Carolina</st1:state> and <st1:state st="on"><st1:place st="on">Ohio</st1:place></st1:state> – kudos to the Midwest for exceeding expectations and providing awesome venues and receptive crowds.<br /></span></p><p style="font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /></span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:78%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:78%;">First stop – <st1:placename st="on">Mercer</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">University</st1:placetype> in <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Macon</st1:city>, <st1:state st="on">GA.</st1:state></st1:place></span><span style="font-size:78%;"> </span><span style="font-size:78%;">Over 750 applicants showed up to the first student led ‘STOP’ Conference at the university – spear headed by Hannah Vann. SOLD opened up the event with a screening of SOLD:Thailand and was followed by keynote speakers such as Bradley Myles – deputy director of The Polaris Project, Patricia McCormick – author of <i style="">Sold</i>, Justin Dillon from Call+Response and Joana Santos – a Sex Trafficking survivor.</span><span style="font-size:78%;"> </span><span style="font-size:78%;">The crew was so inspired by the students and their dedication to leading such an impactful conference.<br /></span></p><p style="font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /></span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:78%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:78%;">Two days later <st1:placename st="on">Emory</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">University</st1:placetype> in <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Atlanta</st1:city>, <st1:state st="on">GA</st1:state></st1:place> hosted a screening for their law department.</span><span style="font-size:78%;"> </span><span style="font-size:78%;">200 people came to hear about child prostitution in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Thailand</st1:place></st1:country-region>. The Rachel’s started the evening with a screening of the film and then opened it up for a panel discussion hosted by local experts. Awareness was raised, and people were called to action.</span></p><p style="font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /></span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:78%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:78%;">The Rachel’s hopped on a plane and headed to <st1:city st="on">Charlotte</st1:city>, <st1:state st="on">NC</st1:state> where <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Gloria</st1:placename> <st1:placename st="on">Cave</st1:placename></st1:place> had been working to make these screenings a success. She hosted a “Salsa for a Cause” event where people danced and raised money for SOLD. The film was featured in NoDa at the <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Green</st1:placename> <st1:placename st="on">Rice</st1:placename> <st1:placename st="on">Art</st1:placename> <st1:placename st="on">Gallery</st1:placename></st1:place>, space was limited so they had two separate screenings – about 100 people showed up for that event. The following evening UNCC hosted a small private screening for students studying social work.</span></p><p style="font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /></span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:78%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;font-size:78%;" >Goble returned home, but <st1:city st="on">Sparks</st1:city> hopped on another flight to <st1:state st="on"><st1:place st="on">Ohio</st1:place></st1:state>, where Drew Persons met up with her.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;font-size:78%;" > </span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;font-size:78%;" >The two tag teamed the events and had a great turn out. They visited BGSU Firelands in Huron, OH with a smaller screening but an impactful one.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;font-size:78%;" > </span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;font-size:78%;" >Many asked how they could start a “SOLD group” or “human trafficking” group on their campus.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;font-size:78%;" > </span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;font-size:78%;" >And in conclusion to this Midwest tour Rachel and Drew headed to <st1:placename st="on">Cuyahoga</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Community College</st1:placetype> in <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Parma</st1:city>, <st1:state st="on">OH</st1:state></st1:place> where they were welcomed by staff and students excited and ready to learn more – the Q&A was the highlight of that screening with many thought provoking and honest questions.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;font-size:78%;" >The SOLD crew met so many encouraging people on this trip, and had a chance to reach thousands of people who wanted to make a change. Thank you to everyone who worked so hard to make these events a success.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;font-size:78%;" >Where will SOLD be next? Check out the <a href="http://www.thesoldproject.com/tour">tour</a> portion of the website for more details.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbqAZ0E_pxZhd-QYIMNBY94Wy-YsQvmLIjBvBcYBEalcTu99MXoHSh0Wfm9B9EE4B7qCRl0mGiI5MkFk-sKzcPIjsYf4C12JYdRU9DnmEGrWEgmXznb-TT7GYOLOdj2yfV9vQSbfaSuCU/s1600-h/SOLD-NC.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 153px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbqAZ0E_pxZhd-QYIMNBY94Wy-YsQvmLIjBvBcYBEalcTu99MXoHSh0Wfm9B9EE4B7qCRl0mGiI5MkFk-sKzcPIjsYf4C12JYdRU9DnmEGrWEgmXznb-TT7GYOLOdj2yfV9vQSbfaSuCU/s320/SOLD-NC.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319769899773513906" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCFnThUTGkVwMv7GNYcZheu5pMEIjxe2_NXQqH9IpGSd_74nxobqV-pgrzFLX_q9Guds0u9OYpQ5D_fZQlbWnESWlTa9FOG2eMWOdIHGhoFzUsc03g7W4Hq3klu0itAzxPOxKwKoY7Tbk/s1600-h/SOLD-NC2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCFnThUTGkVwMv7GNYcZheu5pMEIjxe2_NXQqH9IpGSd_74nxobqV-pgrzFLX_q9Guds0u9OYpQ5D_fZQlbWnESWlTa9FOG2eMWOdIHGhoFzUsc03g7W4Hq3klu0itAzxPOxKwKoY7Tbk/s320/SOLD-NC2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319770637737135458" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYGX1wlAwJ7XCI6HSqVKr41IzWfIoWtr1fCHvDL50SgTg4c8rVyqfd2Hqz9gVk3F6DELroh7SwXxwcsE1Z-bclF5TzeQxdfeQG-Ky7hrjKj6aT6a5cynSKfc3_j4VSEd65XzIOeLSq4mM/s1600-h/TRI_6687lo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYGX1wlAwJ7XCI6HSqVKr41IzWfIoWtr1fCHvDL50SgTg4c8rVyqfd2Hqz9gVk3F6DELroh7SwXxwcsE1Z-bclF5TzeQxdfeQG-Ky7hrjKj6aT6a5cynSKfc3_j4VSEd65XzIOeLSq4mM/s320/TRI_6687lo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319770645504754162" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRfMwcj-kFwSrPfrC_zvFe7HKJUVDwUQ2R9Lr8ou_AmGNhQeS453-TGmqBSxoO-oc55atudsdUiUYByDxLWTqKRxwsB0lDayOFLTI1vk4R1nuOOetx4xtaHGaQdbOZpHA8_Utrb0lzbgA/s1600-h/TRI_6675lo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 224px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRfMwcj-kFwSrPfrC_zvFe7HKJUVDwUQ2R9Lr8ou_AmGNhQeS453-TGmqBSxoO-oc55atudsdUiUYByDxLWTqKRxwsB0lDayOFLTI1vk4R1nuOOetx4xtaHGaQdbOZpHA8_Utrb0lzbgA/s320/TRI_6675lo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319770639685242418" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC72bFYUnMgiCTueELqa3jugreXwRvLlOscUl7TQPz2r4pUSTwLZHrl8nRRHNE2WjSjq8mQPDc_efMczxT-PCb7tJlzA1WpdubNoY1y4IGW0G0G5dsrWic3LzPGS1QPL6YqroSn1yodAA/s1600-h/n63104065_31821862_4578280.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC72bFYUnMgiCTueELqa3jugreXwRvLlOscUl7TQPz2r4pUSTwLZHrl8nRRHNE2WjSjq8mQPDc_efMczxT-PCb7tJlzA1WpdubNoY1y4IGW0G0G5dsrWic3LzPGS1QPL6YqroSn1yodAA/s320/n63104065_31821862_4578280.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319771196591246194" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><br /></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <span style="padding: 1px 4px; position: absolute; -moz-appearance: tooltip; z-index: 10000; cursor: pointer; left: 467px; top: 223px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">save</span>The SOLD Projecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441404926782729640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2004051576079458440.post-45956213869057396072009-03-09T15:25:00.000-07:002009-03-09T16:00:07.669-07:00SOLD:Scholarship FundThe SOLD Project has been on tour since January 09 and has already visited 10 cities. We have reached thousands of individuals who wanted to be educated and inspired to <a href="http://www.thesoldproject.com/react">re:ac</a><a href="http://www.thesoldproject.com/react">t</a>.<br /><br />With the overwhelming response in attendance came an even greater response regarding our scholarship program. Prior to launching the '09 tour SOLD's <a href="http://thesoldproject.com/organization/scholarship.php">scholarship program</a> was sponsoring approximately 21 kids. Now, since January, 41 children in Thailand are receiving the education necessary to keep them safe and healthy.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfM-Feylhw5dBf07bc_fR5XFEdXC7u1aZlzESPlwCPaLXy5DzY5jOroD-iN9PZq7L4pP3z-SgDFrL96WcYaVVW-lfAJ3XWcCnuG4O9m7qNiKGYAE_2uVn0QbXi7T6fVn5c_JguxvG8FbA/s1600-h/3260681105_2a43dcb717.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfM-Feylhw5dBf07bc_fR5XFEdXC7u1aZlzESPlwCPaLXy5DzY5jOroD-iN9PZq7L4pP3z-SgDFrL96WcYaVVW-lfAJ3XWcCnuG4O9m7qNiKGYAE_2uVn0QbXi7T6fVn5c_JguxvG8FbA/s320/3260681105_2a43dcb717.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311326156362548610" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:78%;" >SOLD:Davis Event January 29th, 2009</span>The SOLD Projecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441404926782729640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2004051576079458440.post-30645638610112943292009-02-25T12:24:00.000-08:002009-02-25T12:34:24.720-08:00SOLD: Seattle, WALast week we shared the film at <a href="http://www.spu.edu/">Seattle Pacific University</a> and <a href="http://www.seattlequest.org/">QUEST Church</a>.<br /><br />The issue of child prostitution is prevalent everywhere. Just yesterday 10 underage prostitutes from Seattle (along with many others) were taken into custody. You can read the article <a href="http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/401153_prostitution24.html">here</a>.<br /><br />Many thanks to the <a href="http://theabolition.org/">ABOLITION</a> team at SPU for hosting us, and Quest Church for their communities desire to fight injustices in our world.<br /><br />Here are some pics from the week:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyav9E7fHnS-HkACGOiqXlPs5TTEi_7xBbWat2NOo5Oz3Sh5FYzVUek5j8l7uElwYkGWwOUIgkGHn0yuW_hSy7NsayQ0p_fc0lx_qmzoF1pKQJyXp95DqjGnZvgBSednI65_7xrA4tHco/s1600-h/IMG_4667.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyav9E7fHnS-HkACGOiqXlPs5TTEi_7xBbWat2NOo5Oz3Sh5FYzVUek5j8l7uElwYkGWwOUIgkGHn0yuW_hSy7NsayQ0p_fc0lx_qmzoF1pKQJyXp95DqjGnZvgBSednI65_7xrA4tHco/s320/IMG_4667.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306834926398868594" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaV6WOf5_gTHdZ8DvBKSIniF-nvRCJbfBXDh4NZo1T8dXVVrEXm80tXFiHQjYmnan6H8yS9h1Vm5ztGGZcmzWbiINycszu2vpvvQaOEx1hJX_INWrGdtxbz9c-7xr8e0snucIiToK-784/s1600-h/IMG_4670.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaV6WOf5_gTHdZ8DvBKSIniF-nvRCJbfBXDh4NZo1T8dXVVrEXm80tXFiHQjYmnan6H8yS9h1Vm5ztGGZcmzWbiINycszu2vpvvQaOEx1hJX_INWrGdtxbz9c-7xr8e0snucIiToK-784/s320/IMG_4670.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306835553842442162" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyVI6hktP4on_wnHGjXsD8X3Z0f3ADgU7R9s0kAueyfMQoGtLX2ZRid2mW5SZ5AD0r0R7XTrhohPpYQAXKX211WWtDybFqjRtc2_XcDKSAgcI-MUw_ZVgdVMG0AQIa2jE5qMdhK8d1mmk/s1600-h/IMG_4711.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyVI6hktP4on_wnHGjXsD8X3Z0f3ADgU7R9s0kAueyfMQoGtLX2ZRid2mW5SZ5AD0r0R7XTrhohPpYQAXKX211WWtDybFqjRtc2_XcDKSAgcI-MUw_ZVgdVMG0AQIa2jE5qMdhK8d1mmk/s320/IMG_4711.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306835936125983202" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhffEcQXDygF9g7QkZmbf5Iv2Kmov3QZvOHEY5DZRPz_6VYzCbgxB80yCZJWbXtlCljTSBPfyh_fXeUF5bCy9qGWOvoXz9r9xza-hVYwCDQk3YyYIBrxK6kxQFGQj14rgoQTfgf8eMx7w/s1600-h/IMG_4851.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhffEcQXDygF9g7QkZmbf5Iv2Kmov3QZvOHEY5DZRPz_6VYzCbgxB80yCZJWbXtlCljTSBPfyh_fXeUF5bCy9qGWOvoXz9r9xza-hVYwCDQk3YyYIBrxK6kxQFGQj14rgoQTfgf8eMx7w/s320/IMG_4851.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306836040479394722" border="0" /></a>The SOLD Projecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441404926782729640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2004051576079458440.post-7480017044463323172009-01-28T23:10:00.001-08:002009-01-28T23:10:55.313-08:00UC Davis Prepares for The SOLD Project:Thailand<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/sp8cC5j2zfs&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/sp8cC5j2zfs&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>The SOLD Projecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441404926782729640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2004051576079458440.post-12844776573444165862008-12-28T13:52:00.000-08:002008-12-28T13:58:11.700-08:00Drew in Chiang Rai<span style="font-family:georgia;">Drew Persons is The SOLD Project's 'project manager' and originally from Chiang Mai. He went home for Christmas to visit TaWee, Cat (our first scholarship recipient, her story is highlighted in the short film SOLD:Cat), and attend the holiday party for the scholarship kids! There was a big Christmas party at TaWee's grandmother's house where Cat danced and narrated a play with her friends. Here are some pictures!</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-family: georgia;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWgmOpTWHEXDwcnJ_QTgPCzWEIdn0fdCXRvaBTus8xiOR3fXhq_kiyVWQWaGSALmBr6CmFircaW9YteA7UTeby7_j8JK8NXYCgKDxs_gA2u4jg4Bayp5p49olh8O6_uXloHYWR5uA2CkM/s1600-h/IMG_9294_3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 209px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWgmOpTWHEXDwcnJ_QTgPCzWEIdn0fdCXRvaBTus8xiOR3fXhq_kiyVWQWaGSALmBr6CmFircaW9YteA7UTeby7_j8JK8NXYCgKDxs_gA2u4jg4Bayp5p49olh8O6_uXloHYWR5uA2CkM/s320/IMG_9294_3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284962843439080818" border="0" /></a>Drew and TaWee<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW8Wel_L7wlUT4V0N8bHfD3hT-jj4lFIbRiKjgoJCP_a1qYBUy5kjQBmCkbfK8b8ARIcFA2RpQDBZ8IF2p2F6V_i4ShlsBVeqX6W-V6Z-qQmKAxLLxYgwjpgpTS6sDMgU9xflwXsxTMf4/s1600-h/IMG_9282.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 228px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW8Wel_L7wlUT4V0N8bHfD3hT-jj4lFIbRiKjgoJCP_a1qYBUy5kjQBmCkbfK8b8ARIcFA2RpQDBZ8IF2p2F6V_i4ShlsBVeqX6W-V6Z-qQmKAxLLxYgwjpgpTS6sDMgU9xflwXsxTMf4/s320/IMG_9282.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284962978520536482" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:georgia;">Cat</span><br /></div>The SOLD Projecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441404926782729640noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2004051576079458440.post-69810975056658407912008-12-17T18:10:00.001-08:002008-12-17T18:10:53.288-08:00<object width="400" height="300"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=2510237&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1"><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=2510237&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="300"></embed></object><br /><a href="http://vimeo.com/2510237">Social Justice & Advocacy at Fuller: Rachel Goble</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user944394">Fuller Theological Seminary</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.The SOLD Projecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441404926782729640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2004051576079458440.post-38791427395472916242008-11-19T17:44:00.000-08:002008-11-19T17:58:08.781-08:00SOLD at the United Nations<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjG2a9LcGg2ONgCEBfWnh84NeQ9gcJS9vuh5ZJW0Br6h2ctOAqtD6SrRkoQUGUclFDoHjU_7ClIcZtCAzV44xuladjdL1A1DjVE5h4Vn2wYnlQRfw5_IoV61Pc40lRHSPoPU6rgR0pFSg/s1600-h/-1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 78px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjG2a9LcGg2ONgCEBfWnh84NeQ9gcJS9vuh5ZJW0Br6h2ctOAqtD6SrRkoQUGUclFDoHjU_7ClIcZtCAzV44xuladjdL1A1DjVE5h4Vn2wYnlQRfw5_IoV61Pc40lRHSPoPU6rgR0pFSg/s320/-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270551423469648754" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBqdTE8SQTBM7ejTGY3L_RgXazyKXbTj0IEUp2c4KJ2jpnRtkgcQR2vfuqdAN_xYVok5L_Q7FLv6A7WXsyoLIG46210OeBNNHyrzgz6sS1ttAvXBNxleIPNnH1dn4-Djb8EGLLorPuPj0/s1600-h/1108081121a.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBqdTE8SQTBM7ejTGY3L_RgXazyKXbTj0IEUp2c4KJ2jpnRtkgcQR2vfuqdAN_xYVok5L_Q7FLv6A7WXsyoLIG46210OeBNNHyrzgz6sS1ttAvXBNxleIPNnH1dn4-Djb8EGLLorPuPj0/s320/1108081121a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270550872137833378" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Hi Everyone,<br /><br />My name is Drew Persons and I've been working for The SOLD Project for the past year and a half as their Thai language interpreter/Cultural Consultant/Project Manager.<br /><br />A couple of months ago, a representative from Rotary International approached us with an invitation to participate in their UN Youth Day, held in New York City at the United Nations building. This annual event was created to inspire high school students to make positive changes in the world by connecting them with proactive organizations (like SOLD) that they can partner with and support.<br /><br />I flew to New York earlier on this month and made a presentation about SOLD's education scholarship program on November 8th to an audience of 700 people. After I spoke, I was approached by many young people in the metropolitan area, all of whom were interested in joining The SOLD Project.<br />Overall, the trip was a huge success. Being invited to talk about ANYTHING at the United Nations when your non profit has only been around for a year is pretty incredible.<br /><br />On a more personal note, the trip was significant for me because my #1 life goal, my loftiest dream, the most unreachable and unlikely honor I could think of, was to speak at the UN. It encapsulates everything that I stand for in terms of foreign diplomacy and effectively making changes. I still can not believe that SOLD made it possible.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixIbo_PGpIBj07GZG1KUOKsDSTyWfqgQaXaybG2eDvAUVbuhFAWE8wQRYdWEF0LXFaklaEDi_5cBPaCq_yO2McXSxkG6-_q2n1tfJGPzsFXbR4QU73ynzol-RKU2bCzML2HRUQpOuqOaE/s1600-h/1108081348.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixIbo_PGpIBj07GZG1KUOKsDSTyWfqgQaXaybG2eDvAUVbuhFAWE8wQRYdWEF0LXFaklaEDi_5cBPaCq_yO2McXSxkG6-_q2n1tfJGPzsFXbR4QU73ynzol-RKU2bCzML2HRUQpOuqOaE/s320/1108081348.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270550423047129842" border="0" /></a>It was SO rainy and cold.<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfbA3zXOYUEIsnbgg7R-oyHnTnSchrfbcvhYk8gH1pjfPlkFzsG3H2ZmwEMSaI6e1bsJeKWupbkaGt2QiBilD2obWV6OeHCsYYDrCxKsZPK77VgAFTuA9bb422k8dG37FLswAm_Btb2XM/s1600-h/downsized_1108081119a.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfbA3zXOYUEIsnbgg7R-oyHnTnSchrfbcvhYk8gH1pjfPlkFzsG3H2ZmwEMSaI6e1bsJeKWupbkaGt2QiBilD2obWV6OeHCsYYDrCxKsZPK77VgAFTuA9bb422k8dG37FLswAm_Btb2XM/s320/downsized_1108081119a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270551607570913122" border="0" /></a>The audience that I spoke to.<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihmkCCKrR2bi52bTfWL9akqZA5sVZZ-W0jUbPcqAXHXixQYbx0nRcfGfJ2gqZuTeQCQ_qdREi8mwNvuzJYSTd1V-o561sE_XCMbwQESscoSCdEwooc-09iFu0o96i2Vd4NW5jy30Q2W8Q/s1600-h/-2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 216px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihmkCCKrR2bi52bTfWL9akqZA5sVZZ-W0jUbPcqAXHXixQYbx0nRcfGfJ2gqZuTeQCQ_qdREi8mwNvuzJYSTd1V-o561sE_XCMbwQESscoSCdEwooc-09iFu0o96i2Vd4NW5jy30Q2W8Q/s320/-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270553073636601922" border="0" /></a><br />So don't EVER tell yourself that the #1 thing on your "things to do before you die" list is unattainable . I crossed mine off on the evening of September 8th and I'm only 22.<br /><br /></div>The SOLD Projecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441404926782729640noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2004051576079458440.post-61663857526558155162008-10-26T19:18:00.001-07:002008-10-30T14:05:03.839-07:00SOLD's First Film Festival!<span style="font-family:georgia;">We just got back from our first film festival experience with SOLD... and it blew us away. SOLD: Cat is a 15 minute piece that shows our hearts for prevention for at-risk children...</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">"The SOLD Project: Cat" is 6th out of 26 shorts as the audience award!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">And this is just the beginning...</span><br /><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjutf15StYKGseZDyKRIDXaCDGaBJnrymDzMqRGjMzpi32WpSWX9_5ozYWhL9K6mMcl73x0xGexmMcc1UpN8c58h4MrSfmpxQxq-4ZTA1JcXCRr0iX15eV5LKsgl3wbz4_OzTXJppnTrgE/s1600-h/IMG_0125.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjutf15StYKGseZDyKRIDXaCDGaBJnrymDzMqRGjMzpi32WpSWX9_5ozYWhL9K6mMcl73x0xGexmMcc1UpN8c58h4MrSfmpxQxq-4ZTA1JcXCRr0iX15eV5LKsgl3wbz4_OzTXJppnTrgE/s320/IMG_0125.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261657095238806322" border="0" /></a><br /><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_3w3UC4SLMWjIqSces-yhhvfjsHYKe5vtluiJsBVUU90QKt-YxphN2dx1bA5TM4lyr6Ahgf7V23GgtlmBbhdFDa2zhkUOnoFsdxyAh7vpZIh_nLL6PnLZwWxc4oIncqbqqVWFzh_egXU/s1600-h/IMG_0120.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_3w3UC4SLMWjIqSces-yhhvfjsHYKe5vtluiJsBVUU90QKt-YxphN2dx1bA5TM4lyr6Ahgf7V23GgtlmBbhdFDa2zhkUOnoFsdxyAh7vpZIh_nLL6PnLZwWxc4oIncqbqqVWFzh_egXU/s320/IMG_0120.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261656876699738882" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">We also spent time with a couple of really amazing schools, IUPUI and the University of Indianapolis. It was a great sneak peak for the endless creative possibilities for the 2009 tour... spoken word artists, visual artists, and great bands. As you're thinking about how to pull together your own SOLD event in your community, we encourage you to be creative and involve local artists!</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinZa4iaIsnMp8p94LkBis_XB8mtUlUaDLgL3oAhk8fQ4xzBxgnx32M5AecrmWMSG-qIi1wlDfC3PVIldPJaKu112PhNc8McWAj-UejYJQl2ZSomUrYprDJ71Z6_HAB2S0vQAWlX8pGWG0/s1600-h/IMG_3766.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinZa4iaIsnMp8p94LkBis_XB8mtUlUaDLgL3oAhk8fQ4xzBxgnx32M5AecrmWMSG-qIi1wlDfC3PVIldPJaKu112PhNc8McWAj-UejYJQl2ZSomUrYprDJ71Z6_HAB2S0vQAWlX8pGWG0/s320/IMG_3766.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261655199368700370" border="0" /></a><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA10YDzgetbJahlR1MO90SJ7UZnNlsvTGhN4scWCVXhK0a_PMCt7RYOlndP3q_IFSCJqlF_kQ45inR0k1ZUHcJt9ankpl2yt7Y2r53JIayG4IfVesg5veK72Et_AuDdxZriXTAHalK1IA/s1600-h/IMG_3996.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA10YDzgetbJahlR1MO90SJ7UZnNlsvTGhN4scWCVXhK0a_PMCt7RYOlndP3q_IFSCJqlF_kQ45inR0k1ZUHcJt9ankpl2yt7Y2r53JIayG4IfVesg5veK72Et_AuDdxZriXTAHalK1IA/s320/IMG_3996.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261657679244375314" border="0" /></a><br /><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLUZy42Yj-fLRn64yEYqkVs8mhot5itzAJht2WF7VnGIhl88T2T-vRbKuIe7J0mWYTXPU6ogt85aTeuXHXQZ_lT9zJRq-P9_ocUtlWacQammLa9DWks7LhCSIbCfcHFTbOe_1EVuxcNRQ/s1600-h/IMG_3986.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLUZy42Yj-fLRn64yEYqkVs8mhot5itzAJht2WF7VnGIhl88T2T-vRbKuIe7J0mWYTXPU6ogt85aTeuXHXQZ_lT9zJRq-P9_ocUtlWacQammLa9DWks7LhCSIbCfcHFTbOe_1EVuxcNRQ/s320/IMG_3986.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261656452134122034" border="0" /></a>The SOLD Projecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441404926782729640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2004051576079458440.post-67564515324584170302008-08-25T16:11:00.000-07:002008-09-14T16:12:02.833-07:00Keep Moving...<p>“If you can’t run, walk. If you can’t walk, crawl. But by all means keep moving.” Dr. Martin Luther King</p> <p>As The SOLD Project continues to move forward in our mission to create awareness about and ignite a response to child prostitution and sex trafficking, we must keep Dr. King’s quote in mind. It is never a full-on sprint, but often baby steps towards our end goals and desires. </p> <p>Most recently, we are revamping our web-site… it will be new and improved in a few short weeks!<br />The organization is moving along beautifully… establishing our “Write to Freedom” campaign to keep children in school and out of prostitution, and setting up our Spring Tour!<br />The film has hired a new Story Producer to complete SOLD: Thailand and tell the stories of these children.</p> <p>Thank you for being part of this journey as we keep moving…. whether running, walking, or crawling.</p>The SOLD Projecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441404926782729640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2004051576079458440.post-64470309722747814602008-05-23T16:11:00.000-07:002008-09-14T16:11:38.415-07:00Back to BrokennessArriving in Thailand… a bittersweet feeling sets in. A country that has stolen my heart due to its beauty and culture, yet a country that breaks my heart due to the extreme injustice that occurs here. Round two of filming begins in one short week and there is much to do to prepare for the crew to arrive. I have mixed emotions as I prepare to enter back into the world of child prostitution and exploitation. Am I ready to enter into a place of brokenness again? As I sit and ponder this question only one answer rings true… I must. I must not be afraid of having my eyes opened, my heart left broken, and my head spinning with questions. I must. I must return home with stories that will tell the truth of these children’s struggles and with answers to help end it. I must. I must remain hopeful.<br /><br />I will be broken and I will be inspired. I know no other way…The SOLD Projecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441404926782729640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2004051576079458440.post-18702735913475765002008-04-29T16:10:00.000-07:002008-09-14T16:11:07.137-07:00Supply and Demand<p>Human Trafficking is a multi-billion dollar a year industry. It is the second largest criminal industry in the world today, just behind drug smuggling and recently having risen above arms smuggling. The selling of children for sex and is a HUGE business, and just like any other business it is driven by <strong>supply </strong>and <strong>demand</strong>. <strong>Supply</strong>, in the case of child sex trafficking and exploitation, is the vulnerable children. The <strong>demand</strong> is those who choose to pay for sex with these children. Following the simple rules of supply and demand we know that supply would not exist if there was not a demand for it. Child prostitution and commercial sexual exploitation would not exist if men and women were not traveling around the world to have sex with minors, purchasing child pornography, or supporting businesses that do. <strong>Demand creates supply</strong>. There are millions upon millions of children in high risk of becoming a victim of the sex trade due to poverty, genocide, war, lack of education, or orphaned… and there is a lot of work to be done to prevent, rescue, and restore these children (I won’t ignore that). However, the demand side of this problem is often overlooked. I have read that 25% of child sex tourists are US citizens. How that stat has been proven, I do not know. I would not be surprised if that percentage wasn’t a lot higher.<br />So now what? It is my belief that the demand side can only be stopped if WE (as in YOU and ME) begin talking about this issue, making it a household reality, and bringing the humanity back to this issue. These men and women who pay for sex with children do not see these children as human beings, but as objects. They may not even realize the damage that they are doing to a young life. I have met countless children in recovery from working the streets in Thailand and here in the US… there is hope, but it is a long and painful journey for them. My hope is that through our film and through educating others that this issue ends, but if that does not happen hopefully the men and women who are thinking about it will think again.<br />To understand more about the demand side and what the US government is doing about it, visit the <a href="http://www.ice.gov/">Immigration and Customs Enforcement</a> web-site.</p>The SOLD Projecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441404926782729640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2004051576079458440.post-18785132769378474832008-04-22T16:10:00.000-07:002008-09-14T16:10:43.310-07:00I'd Love to Grab Coffee Sometime...This week we’re hoping to bring home the importance of starting conversations about child sexual exploitation. From the beginning one of our biggest goals as been this: to make people aware of this injustice in our world and create a catalyst for conversation. A couple of weeks ago I was at coffee (go figure) with a mentor of mine from Westmont College, and he shed light on the importance of conversations within a family. His suggestion, specifically, was daughters approaching their fathers. If you are a daughter whose father travels to Thailand, or any foreign country on business… tell him about the sex tourism industry and ask him to advocate and protect the children of these countries. By bringing this issue into our homes, communities, work places and churches, we are bringing this issue into the ears and hands of those who are willing to fight against it, those who could potentially be the demand factor behind it, and those who, like us, will dedicate their time and energy to standing up against this. So I want to encourage you to be intentional: educate yourself on this issue so that you can be a resource to others as you initiate conversations. We’d love to plug you in, give you resources, and continue collaborating with you. Check out our “Learn it” page under “Movement” for resources… let’s get a conversation going.The SOLD Projecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441404926782729640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2004051576079458440.post-48740687005457587162008-04-09T16:09:00.000-07:002008-09-14T16:10:11.284-07:00FreedomEvery day I’m reminded how real this all is: and how easy it is to pretend that “it” is not really happening. That children are being bought and sold for sex. It’s an absolutely heinous crime that, like Rachel likes to point out, you just can’t argue with. There is no way to justify exploiting children, after all. It’s just not right. But it happens - and therefore, we have to fight it. We have been given freedom: freedom to fight for those that have been stripped of their freedom. This idea of being ‘blessed with a burden’ became a reality to me through a conversation with a young woman in the brothels of India a few months ago. She acknowledged my freedom, and her captivity, telling me that she “did not choose this life. Her life was not like mine. She was not free to come and go like I was”. With our freedom comes a level of responsibility if we choose to accept it: to advocate on behalf of the vulnerable and to find hope and healing in moments of darkness. This is a movement of people willing to stand for justice and fight for change in the lives of the vulnerable and the exploited, and we invite you to join us. We need you to join us. Together, we can make a difference.The SOLD Projecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441404926782729640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2004051576079458440.post-4309751139695047002008-04-01T16:09:00.000-07:002008-09-14T16:09:40.849-07:00SOLD: A Four Letter Word<p>The facts surrounding the child sex trade horrify most every person I have a conversation with. People are shocked by the rate at which it occurs, the fact that it exists in America, and that adult men & women are actually paying for sex with children. This is one social injustice that leaves no room for debate. Nothing justifies it, and there is no excuse to let it continue. </p> <p>The SOLD Project is a documentary designed to educate people about the haunting reality of the child sex trade in Southeast Asia & the World, and to give them the tools to halt these atrocities. I founded The SOLD Project after learning about the brutal sexual exploitation of society’s most vulnerable people – children. Through The SOLD Project I have embarked upon a life altering journey that has led me to meet child prostitutes as young as 4 years old, as well as meeting many of the predators who feed off of their innocence. My life permanently changed through these experiences and I have committed my life to searching for a way to make a difference. </p> <p>We at The SOLD Project have faith that the hope for positive change lives within all people. We can each be a part of restoring innocence and freedom back into the devastated lives of these child victims. </p> <p>While we do not pretend to have all of the answers - we are on a journey toward finding them and with your involvement we can. Your comments and questions are welcome. Post your ideas. Share your dreams. We are in this together. We need you, but more importantly these children need you.</p>The SOLD Projecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441404926782729640noreply@blogger.com0