It seems like we are hearing more and more everyday about the horrible injustice of human trafficking/sex slavery. And, the question I asked myself several months back was, "What can I do to help end this?"
I remember thinking a couple years back of how many organizations were starting campaigns to end sex trafficking here in the United States and abroad. There was and is so much need and how could someone hope to make a 'dent' of difference or even know where to start?
I knew that women needed to be helped even though I felt powerless in bringing about change.
So, I decided not to do anything immediately (epic fail right?).
Then, it was a message I heard several months ago by Christine Caine at a women's event about sex trafficking that "really" woke me up to the injustice.
Christine was quoted in a recent CNN interview as saying, "'Often, I think, because we think, 'I can't do it all,' we end up being paralyzed. So we do nothing," said Caine. "But if we understand we can't do everything but we all must do something, and we all find the one thing that we can do, then we'll find that together we will all make such a huge difference and we'll be able to put a stop to this.'" (http://thecnnfreedomproject.blogs.cnn.com/2011/06/16/abolishing-sex-slavery-by-helping-one-girl-at-a-time/)
After listening to Christine and hearing the testimony of a young woman who had come out of sex trafficking, I knew I would do something, someday...but what?
Then, I happened to be at an event here in Tulsa a couple of months later and I met a guy named Vijay who said he wanted to be an "abolitionist."
Thoughts flashed through my mind of William Wilberforce...
Vijay shared about a non-profit he started that helps raise awareness for women and children trapped in sex-slavery in Bombay, India. He also shared about a short documentary that he and a team were putting together.
He found out that I was a musician and said that I should write a song for the cause.
After talking, I told him that I would think about it.
I remember someone saying something to me several years back about following your initial "instinct." I was told that usually that instinct can end up turning into something of great value if you just follow that "inkling" and act upon it.
So, I decided to write a song.
I've never met a girl or a woman who have come out of sex-slavery, and I don't pretend to even understand what type of trauma it inflicts.
I listened to several testimonies online of girls/women around the globe that have experienced freedom and I took the time to think and consider what could be said about their plight and then I sat down and started writing.
Freedom Came...
This song is being released on iTunes and all money from each download will go to Saved by Nails (Bombay, India); Wellspring International (Amsterdam, the Netherlands); and the A21 Campaign (Greece).
The iTunes release is May 1st...and i would appreciate your support in downloading the song and supporting this cause!
Also, check out this blog on CNN: http://thecnnfreedomproject.blogs.cnn.com/2011/08/02/9-girls-rescued-from-red-light-district-in-india/
Cheers,
Becka
