Suzy Hunt: Musician
Last year, I got some musician friends together, and we played a concert in a small dark attic-like space on the lower east side of Manhattan. But this concert was special, and different for all of us. We weren't playing for money or recognition or to promote a new album, we were playing for The Sold Project and for the millions of victims of child sex trafficking around the world.
We raised a few bucks and spread the word, and we did it because it was just the right thing to do. The Sold Project is progressive and it's inspiring and hopeful, not to mention run by the most informed and compassionate people that I know. Support The Sold Project, because it's just the right thing to do..
Kaolhi Ly: Fundraiser
I was introduced to the topic of human trafficking through a professor of mine. The issue grabbed my attention and I knew that I couldn't look away. After endless hours of talking to him about it, I decided to do my own research on the topic.
Following weeks of exposing myself to this horrible crime, I ended up disturbed and heartbroken, knowing that I wanted to do something about it. I couldn't run away from it. I couldn't avoid it. I couldn't live without knowing that I am doing something to help stop this fight. I was introduced to The SOLD Project through a friend of mine 2 months later. After weeks of e-mailing and phone conversations with the Rachel's, I decided to dedicate my time to help with the project to make a difference and spread the message of the existence of child prostitution. I'm reminded of the importance for us to continue to educate one another and to raise awareness on this issue to others who have no idea it even exists.
I really believe that underneath all of this there is beauty, and that we are able to help. Over the last couple of months I've been able to use my fundraising and networking skills to raise money for SOLD in order to make a difference in someone else's life. People have been generous in allowing me to share with them and inspire them to realize that they can do something about this simply by donating… as little as $1 makes such a big difference. This is just the beginning of my part in helping SOLD, which I believe will make a huge difference in the lives of children affected by exploitation.
Keith Brown : Film
When I first heard of the issue of Human Trafficking my heart felt like it was being stuck with a million needles, piercing through every ounce of love I have ever had. From that moment on I knew to much to not do anything. My life will forever be dedicated in the change.
It was about three years ago I was introduced to the most horrific lifestyle I have heard. Men buying children for sex, for pleasures, for fun. I was sickened by the thought. What can I do? What is there to be done? These questions have been in my thoughts ever since. I had done research and learned even more than I wanted to at the time. Kids even at the age of 2 and 3 being sold! I had learned to much to not do anything, I now know to much to not do anything. It was a few months back that I found The Sold Project and was introduced to the Rachels. From the time I met them I knew this was a place where I needed to get connected. I moved to L.A. for other reasons but soon knew I must do something to bring awareness of Human Trafficking. I started talking to people and letting them know about the issue. So many didn’t want to hear it, many told me I just ruined their day. I kept fighting to spread the word. I found a group of guys and we decided we were going to get together with the Sold Project crew and film each of their hearts and hear their stories. I feel that this short film can help spread their vision and let outsiders hear their hearts. We are now in the process of finishing up this short and hope to share it with all who will listen. I thank The Sold Project and the Rachels for letting me be apart of their dreams, and helping make mine come true. If we all work together, and fight this issue, something can and will be done.
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Alana Downey - Hairstylist
My name is Alana Downey and I’m a hairstylist in Danville, CA and I heard about Sold from my dear friend Rachel Goble. I had heard about other hairdressers and salons doing fundraisers called “Cut-A-Thon’s” so I thought ‘why not, I could do that’. I had been searching for ways to use my skill to support organizations that I believe in: organizations that are making a difference in the world, and the idea of a cut-a-thon was perfect. I would be able to do what I was good at, donate the money to SOLD, and at the same time educate my clients about the issue of child prostitution and create awareness for The SOLD Project.
I had been searching for ways to use my skill to support organizations that I believe in: organizations that are making a difference in the world, and the idea of a cut-a-thon was perfect.
On the day of the cut-a-thon we set up my kiosk to represent information about SOLD. I brought my computer and showed on repeat the Sold teaser and $14 for 14 Days video while people got their hair cut. People are genuinely interested in helping and now I think I’ve gotten a little momentum to do it again and possibly with another coworker!
There are so many ways that people can help even if it’s something small like a cut-a-thon. The opportunities are endless if I let go and let God. Thank you for letting me be a part! Love…always love.
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Justin Dial - Filmmaker
I still remember my first day of real paid documentary film work. My friend Nate was editing a documentary for a production company in Pasadena called Chronicle Project. Nate had hours and hours of interviews that he needed transcribed and he came to me for help. What happened next changed my life. I began to watch an interview of a young Indian girl forced into prostitution. In her interview she explained how she had been coerced by a boyfriend to move and work in a brothel. She went into great detail about her emotional sickness and told of the beatings she faced if she didn’t hand over all of the money she earned to her boyfriend, now turned pimp. I realized the importance of her story, but I managed to convince myself that I couldn’t really help this girl.
This time I didn’t pick the issue: it picked me. Everyone involved in SOLD, including myself, wants more than just a finished film. We want the world to connect with the stories of trafficking. I can’t outrun this issue any longer and I hope others can’t either.
Several months later, after I had transcribed my life away, I found myself in the Chronicle Project office. This time I wasn’t there to transcribe, I was there to create short documentary content on social issues. The approach for these documentaries was to show practical ways that people could get involved in social issues. For some reason I flashed back to the interview with the Indian girl and I thought, “Sex trafficking is a crazy thing, but what can I do to stop it.” I went on to create a short piece highlighting groups and organizations fighting to stop sex trafficking. What ended up happening was once I finished the piece, I let my newfound passion fizzle away with the busyness of everyday life.
For some reason I flashed back to the interview with the Indian girl and I thought, “Sex trafficking is a crazy thing, but what can I do to stop it?”
Cut to about a month ago. I was back in the Chronicle Project office editing for the guys when some people walked into the office and identified themselves as The SOLD Project. They were looking to finish their film about child sex trafficking and I was out of work. Before I knew it I had an offer from The SOLD Project to come on and edit the film. It seemed very odd that once again the issue was presenting itself and this time I couldn’t say no. In two weeks I leave for Thailand to help with shooting and when I return I begin editing the film.
I guess “us” filmmakers like to think that we have a lot of control over what issues are going to move us and how then our filmmaking abilities are going to reach out to audiences. This time I didn’t pick the issue: it picked me. Everyone involved in SOLD, including myself, wants more than just a finished film. We want the world to connect with the stories of trafficking. I can’t outrun this issue any longer and I hope others can’t either.
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Good for Art - Artists for SOLD
Artists Shannon and Erik Newby share with SOLD their passion for the visual arts and how they are using their art to fight for justice…
I used to cry sometimes at night when I was a kid, just from watching the news. I would lie in bed and pray that God would make the newscasters tell only good stories, and that God would take all the “bad guys” away. Over the years, I’ve changed those prayers. Now I ask God to show me the ugly stories, and to show me how I can be a part of turning them into beautiful ones.
These prayers have led me to step into full time Christian mission work, where I am using my paintbrush as my megaphone. As an artist, I believe in the power of images, the power of media, and the power of art. After all, it was vivid imagery through a television that brought me to my knees as a child. What power a film or a painting can have also!
Visit The SOLD Project’s Etsy Store to purchase art from artists wanting to make a difference… all proceeds go to benefit The SOLD Project.
My husband and I just recently moved to Atlanta, and were quick to discover that sadly, Atlanta is the no. 1 city in the US for sex trafficking, largely due to our international airport. We began to ask God how we could use our skills as a painter and a photographer/ graphic designer to fight this social injustice. We have talked to friends, family, and church groups. We have begun an artists group (www.goodforart.etsy.com), and are constantly infusing the good, the bad and the ugly into our art to communicate to the world around us that sex trafficking has to stop.
I’m excited to endorse a group that’s willing to fight to make a difference. I believe in the Sold Project Film and the message of hope: that we can be part of the solution.
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Coffee By The Books: tips as donations
In the early-2000’s Coffee By The Books baristas made a unanimous decision to give whatever money was made in tips away to a charity decided upon by the staff. For some in our community, this decision seemed asinine. However, it was the feeling of the staff that we are all blessed beyond measure and thus we wanted to put our belief that those who are in need are worthy of our sacrifice above any desire for some extra weekly pocket change. Oddly enough, once the idea took off, the community really got behind it. We have multiple people who send us literature on charities every month and when people see that our tips go to charity they often donate more. There is also the added perk that when someone appreciates our customer service they throw down a couple extra bucks and the charity we are featuring benefits. I think this also drives many of us to take better care of our customers because the ethos of customer service extends beyond ourselves and benefits others.
Over the course of roughly five months, we were able to raise exactly $1323.54 for The SOLD Project.
Earlier this year we chose to raise money for The SOLD Project. Over the course of roughly five months, we were able to raise exactly $1323.54. All of this money came from people dropping a dollar here and 25 cents there in our little counter tip jar. It’s pretty amazing when you think that pocket change gathered over half a year can generate that kind of profit. It has been a privilege for Coffee by the Books to be a part of raising funds for so many amazing Not-For-Profit organizations and we highly recommend other Cafes to get behind the idea because while it’s nice to make an extra $15 a month in tips, it is much more rewarding to know that those extra dollars are making a difference for someone else.
Coffee By The Books is located on Fuller Seminary’s campus in Pasadena, CA. Check out their web-site/blog to learn more. http://cbbcoffee.wordpress.com
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Joshua Morey : Conversation Starter
When I moved to Los Angeles in 2007, little did I know that the simple act of apartment hunting would change my life forever. My roommates and I found a great (and cheap) place in Korea town that had just hit the market. Wood floors, fresh carpets, new counters, you name it! It never occurred to me why the place was so cheap. Little did I know the impact that this new apartment would have on my life.
The first week was an adventure. The LA Department of Water and Power refused to turn on our utilities over the phone, saying I needed to come downtown in person and sign the paper work. Making my way out of the apartment, two Hispanic men walked up to my doorstep. Confused at seeing me come to the door, they looked at each other, apologized, and walked away. “What the heck was that about?” I was scared and confused at the same time. I shook it off and continued downtown. When I arrived at the DWP told me that in most circumstances I would have been able to do this over the phone, and to contact my landlord for why the power and been completely shut off.
On my way home I called our landlord, and he proceeded to tell me that the week before we moved in, our apartment had been raided by the FBI, and that the men taken away were part of the largest human trafficking bust in LA history.
On my way home I called our landlord, and he proceeded to tell me that the week before we moved in, our apartment had been raided by the FBI, and that the men taken away were part of the largest human trafficking bust in LA history. “Thanks for telling me now!” Frustrated that he hadn’t told before, I hung up the phone and raced home. That night I scoured the Internet for information regarding human trafficking in LA. It had never occurred to me that women and children were being trafficking from foreign countries into LA for sex and labor. I didn’t sleep much that night as each article continued to fuel the fire burning within me.
I found myself getting sick to the stomach as I pictured the helpless women and children who had been in my apartment even just the week before.
I found myself getting sick to the stomach as I pictured the helpless women and children who had been in my apartment even just the week before. It made me cry and want to punch holes in the wall at the same time. The next few months I would continue to wrestle with this and the more I learned the more I knew I needed to do something. Yet, this was the beginning of my journey.
Since then I’ve sought every opportunity possible to shed light on the issue, even meeting with the head of the human trafficking unit of the LAPD. I sometimes wonder why I had to move into an apartment that was previously used to sell women and children, but I’m beginning to realize that in order to conquer the darkness, you must expose it to light. My job is to illuminate the dark where humans are being bought and sold.
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Will Roman : roman apparel
My first introduction to The SOLD Project came with a 1 am cross-country phone call to a friend-of-a-friend, Rachel Sparks, who shared her incredible heart break and selfless motivation for the child victims of the sex trade in South Asia. This fire inside Rachel was so strong that it immediately ignited within myself a similar desire for radical change. I desperately wanted to lend my support in some way, but wanted to do more than simply donating. Others must know about the crimes that are being ignored abroad, they need to be told about the people who are fighting to stop these abuses, and they need to be inspired to get involved. Thus unfolded the idea for the SOLD t-shirt.
Capturing the essence of The SOLD Project in a t-shirt design proved an exciting and challenging task, and the result is a beautiful watercolor design. All profit from the t-shirts go to the education fund of The SOLD Project, enabling rescued children to learn the tools necessary to keep themselves above the dark world they’ve known for so long. It is truly a blessing to be able to contribute through an artistic medium and I hope that the t-shirts can be a starting point for sharing with others about the cause.
The SOLD Project is cultivating a movement that crosses borders and changes children’s lives, but behind the huge accomplishments there are smaller, yet equally important ones: ordinary people are able to use their resources to make a difference as well.
The t-shirts are made from sweatshop-free organic cotton and are printed through environmental friendly processes. They can be purchased by visiting http://romanapparel.net/
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