From then on I've decided I cannot just know and do nothing. I have been looking for ways to help, raise awareness, DO something. Along the way I've learned a few things. Let me share:
-It is NOT something that happens in "another place," chances are, it happens in your city/state/country.
-Why isn't anybody doing anything? Well, the better question is why aren't YOU doing anything about it? (but we'll get to that soon). In reality there are government agencies, non-profit organizations and courageous individuals DOING something. Which leads me to the next point:
-Why doesn't everyone know? I am not the holder of all the answers, and there are many for this question. I personally think that this is not an easy topic, it's a harsh reality and a lot of people upon finding out feel that: a) this MUST be happening somewhere else, so it's not my problem, or b) well I know now, but there's NOTHING I can probably do about it. However, as I said it is happening in your community and you CAN do something about it.
-What can I possibly do? When I found out about slavery, I read and read and researched and felt powerless. I felt: "well, I know this horrible things are happening, but nobody tells me how I can help."
That single question sent me on a quest to research more, to find out what is being done. There are a lot of things being done by many organizations and individuals. I personally feel that what we are not doing enough is EDUCATING ourselves on the issue, and making educated decisions/contributions to the cause.
So here is what I am going to do: I am going to have this blog, which hopefully soon will be a full on website where I pledge to INFORM all of you, and be INFORMED by all of you about modern day slavery. I will make it a place where you can send your local/personal stories, pictures, resources info, etc. A virtual place where we can all gather and help each other become an educated, full of love army that will help our 27Million enslaved siblings.
Now if you go back to the title of this particular blog, you might ask: what does PEPSI has to do with it? A lot and nothing at the same time. January 13th 2010 Pepsi is taking a gamble, taking millions of dollars out of advertisement and putting them towards community projects presented by us. This projects are voted on by us and we choose where the money goes here When I heard of this I thought: "yes!! I will apply for the 27MillionProject!!" I envisioned getting the grant, being able to pay someone to make a spiffy website and such. Along the lines it dawned on me that I cannot let money, my technological ignorance or any other excuse get on the way of doing this simple thing: helping each other be educated about slavery and educating others. Look at me, I am doing it in a free blog and granted, its not a great website designed by someone with the Pepsi money but it's a start. I will still submit the project, but regardless the outcome, we have a home and a voice (thanks to this site.)
So what can YOU do? If you ask me (I know, I know, you didn't) the single most powerful yet easy and free thing we can ALL do is: educate ourselves and educate others. If we could let 10 people know about slavery today and they would let 10 others know...you get the idea. And what happens when you have a society that is well aware and informed about something like this? Well, said society will want changes and will be aware and more importantly, will be doing something.
So you tell me, now I have learned about the issue, I read, researched and such, but how do I go and tell 10 others about it? Weird huh? Let me help you out a bit, See this picture? It was created by a friend of mine for another project we are working on about human trafficking. I love its simplicity. Two hands making a 27, we can all do that. So here's the deal, take this picture, enlarge it, minimize it and print it. Tape it to your office wall, your car, go and take pictures with it, print it on a shirt, etc, then people will ask you:"what's that all about?" and bam!! you can now tell them, and within days they'll be posting their print outs too. Then you send me an email and we post your stories and pictures. I will make a 2 minute video with some of them, you ready??RECAP:
Print logo (download the PDF)
Post visibly. Be ready to answer questions about it.
Take pictures with it (by landmarks, office, home, with friends, on a shirt, get creative!!)
Send them to me (along with stories and anything else relevant): freedomnow@twentysevenmillion.org
Let's cover the world with this sign and bring freedom to everyone.
You have been hereby, recruited.
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