26 seconds

Did you know, that every twenty-six seconds, somewhere in the world, a child is abducted… from their family, from the streets… stolen and trafficked into slavery, most often into the sex trade. Some are even sold to brothels by their own families. Little girls, as young as my own sweet and innocent daughter, taken away from everything they know to be safe, and thrust into a world where they are forced to perform unspeakable acts, and be used by dozens or hundreds of adult men. As young as two. And there are as many as 2 million children living in a world of child sex slavery right now. In fact, tonight, as I’m writing this, there are 5000 children who are facing their first night in sex slavery. 5000 children who will tonight be raped for the first time. Probably more than once.

I hope that makes you feel sick. I hope it makes you want to cry. I hope it makes you angry.

Most of all, I hope it makes you sick, sad and angry enough to do something about it.

Destiny Rescue is an amazing organisation, whose mission it is to rescue young girls from slavery, and to give them the hope of a safe future. It provides a home, education including vocational training, medical help, counselling and all daily needs. Not only that, but they go into communities and work with underprivileged families and children, running prostitution prevention programs and empowering them by providing education and training which allows them to rise above poverty and despair.

What a mission!

I really want to encourage you to support Destiny Rescue, and to be a part of helping to free these beautiful children from a lifetime of abuse and horror.

You can do this by taking part in the 26 Second challenge. There are a couple of options:

1) you can become a 26 Second partner, by giving $26 each month.

2) You can become a 26 Second member, by giving a one-off donation of $40.

Money from the 26 Second project goes directly to funding the teams who go into brothels and red-light districts to rescue children and young women from a life of sex slavery.

I urge you, please visit the 26 Second Project website, and think and pray about being a part of this cause.

You can also donate in different ways to the Rescue and Prevention programs, or sponsor a child at the Destiny Rescue website.

We can do something so simple and change lives in a big way. No child should have to live this.

Let’s get angry about this. Let’s make a difference.

Consider my thoughts provoked.

I was catching up on the blogs I love to read and came across this post from my friend Talia’s blog. You should pop over and read it.

It’s left me pondering Big Things ever since.

A lot to do with the election. This will be the second federal election I have had the opportunity to vote in. I choose to consider my right and responsibility to vote as a privilege, and I don’t take it lightly. I do a lot of reading, a lot of watching (though admittedly I don’t take much notice of the pathetic propaganda-like mud-slinging TV ads – they make me seethe, and I think it’s pretty embarrassing how pathetic our pollies can be), and a lot of talk to people. I want to make an informed choice when I vote, and I want my vote to count. And Talia made some points which I totally identify with.

And like Talia, I’ve been thinking about lots of other Big Things too. Like, next year. Getting a job. Well, for that matter – this year and finishing uni would be a good start! The fact that the thought of working full time and therefore having Mayana in daycare full time makes me want to cry. Whether I’d be happy doing relief work or something part time. Whether that’s even a choice anyway – it might end up being my only option for all I know.

Uni is so scary at the moment – everyone’s always talking about the Big Scary Unknown, and using all these education-related acronyms, talking about Ten Standards and Roadmaps and Action Research Projects and Literature Reviews. It makes me feel like I don’t know enough ‘stuff’ to be a good teacher, and I can’t wait to go out on prac where I know I’m doing the thing I was made to do.

Prac is only three weeks away now, which is pretty darn exciting, but also makes me  feel the need to ask for a paper bag (you know, so I don’t hyperventilate). And it’s only 15 weeks until we pack up and leave this place!

So yeah, lots of things to think about. And I promise you, this brain never stops ticking. It’s somewhat exhausting actually. So thanks for letting me ‘blah’ here :-)

Off to find a paper bag…

use your voice

I recently came across this article on Melinda Tankard-Reist's blog.

It absolutely, unequivocally sickens me.

Melinda Tankard-Reist is a commentator and advocate with a special interest in issues affecting women and girls. She is a founder of Women's Forum Australia, and is known for naming and shaming brands, advertising and organisations whom objectify women and sexualise girls in the name of selling a product.

This most recent article depicts a new range of shirts from Roger David. I'm totally shocked that a place that is supposedly quite classy has put out rubbish such as this! What makes them think this is okay???

Not only is it totally demoralising and demeaning toward women, but truly it's an insult to the young men that they are trying to market towards. Why are they pushing this image of women? And why is it okay?

If you feel as strongly about this as I do, I would highly encourage you to visit the Roger David website, and send an email letting him know what you think.