By Katiera Cox
Human
trafficking exists today. There are 2.7 million people in slavery across the globe where
men, women, and children are trapped. Many are victimized to brutal hours of
forced labor without pay, some are trapped behind the locked doors without a
way to escape, and some are hidden in the dark brothels of sex slavery.
That reality became real to me growing up across the borders
of India,
witnessing firsthand the brutal vulnerability many walked in. Fear gripped society in their castes, and the poverty
restricted many from their own voices to
freedom.
They were trapped behind their own culture. In desperate need
many were forced into human trafficking. Deceived, vulnerable, weak, and
used there was no way out. The cycle continued
to repeat itself as if a norm rather than
a horrific fairytale.
Village Artisan, a fair trade organization, allowed a way out
to prevent those
from entering the cycle. For the first time, these women no longer had to ponder the option of selling
themselves in order to take care of the
hungry family at home. For the first time, children didn't have to quit school to beg on the streets. For
the first time men didn't have to waste
away in bars crying of their debt. Village Artisan
provides work for the hopeless. It trains and teaches individuals how to create, design, and work in a
business setting.
The organization set up seventeen years ago, now has
multiplied in five different cities across Northern India today. It transforms lives
and liberates those from the bondage of slavery.
On May 13th and 14th, individuals across Penang, Malaysia had
a similar
opportunity to bring about transformation to individual families and women who work for Village Artisan.
"Ding. Ding." The bell rang with excitement as more customers entered the Village Artisan Pop up Shop at Straits Quay. Kantha scarves made out of recycled saris draped across the art studio, the hand crafted jewelry hung artistically on each table, and the intricately designed journals lay open welcoming individuals to write their stories upon each hand made page.
"Ding. Ding." The bell rang with excitement as more customers entered the Village Artisan Pop up Shop at Straits Quay. Kantha scarves made out of recycled saris draped across the art studio, the hand crafted jewelry hung artistically on each table, and the intricately designed journals lay open welcoming individuals to write their stories upon each hand made page.
"I full heartedly support and contribute to the cause of
Village Artisan. They transform lives by the work that they allow to stop
human trafficking and prevents women off
the street to sell their bodied,
providing jobs for feed their families," said Kaela Ruble (12) who helped contribute to the cause this weekend.
Each sale supported these men and women to fight human
trafficking and empowers individuals with dignified work. It allows their children to
go to school and supports the economic growth of
Northern India. Along with that, this
sale also supported me in my pursuit to fight human trafficking, continuing my passion for justice and freedom for
these people; profits will go towards my
Discipleship Training School (http://www.ywam.org/dts/) in Australia.
My hope is for transformation. My hope is for change. My hope
is for freedom. Come on board with us to see that change happen. It starts with
us, standing up for truth and justice, respecting women as individuals, and liberating
those who are hopeless. Let’s be a part of bringing light to our broken,
hurting society.Thank you for your support!
Check out the website: http://villageartisan.com/
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