SMF Celebrates Gay Pride!

This past Sunday, just a few days after New York passed the Same Sex Marriage Bill, the streets were filled with the celebration of Gay Pride. Over two million people marched from 36th and 5th to Christopher and Greenwich Streets in a colorful parade. The Somaly Mam Foundation and PROJECT FUTURES global joined the LGBT community, human rights groups, and other supporters to celebrate equality and justice for all.

We walked in celebration with our dear friends Michael Angelo and Scott MacDougall, who were brought together by their passion for ending the child sex trade in Cambodia.

During one of their trips to the Cambodian shelters, a few girls asked if they had wives back home. They told them that they had chosen each other and were in love and to that the girls asked if they were married. When they replied no, the girls exclaimed, "You love each other. You have to be married." We are so happy to have been able to support them and the rest of the LGBT community.





Team FUTURES at the NYC Pride Parade



50G- For Our Sisters

Team 50G

Some people set astronomical goals, resigned to never achieve anything. But when Gesche Haas, Jaclyn Mitleider, and Margot Weber decided that they wanted to raise $50,000 for the Somaly Mam Foundation, they decided that they were not to be stopped. Having raised over $30,000 to date, the 50G girls have shown remarkable dedication and passion in the fight to end modern slavery.

The idea first came into being after Gesche read Somaly Mam’s  autobiography, The Road of Lost Innocence. The story had such a profound impact on her that she shared it with her roommates.

"We naturally felt that Somaly’s fate could have been ours had we just been born into less fortunate circumstances," they explained. "We felt that the book gave us perspective – issues that we viewed as 'problems' in our lives seemed so laughable compared to what these girls had to endure."

Though they were previously unaware of how widespread sexual slavery is in the world, the book helped the trio gain awareness and knowledge. Their passion for justice and close personal bonds made their idea become reality.

"Our philosophy is to do good, yet to never let it become a chore but rather an enjoyable process that allows us to bond with friends and that is also compatible with us working full time. Charity is so important - it should be a natural, integral part of our lives," they said.

Though all three women visited Cambodia, it was before they had learned of Somaly Mam and the fight against humn trafficking. They hope to visit in the near future to see firsthand where their impact has been made.

"We have seen quite a few photo and video footage of the shelters," they said, "But being able to see these things with our own eyes, being captivated by the strength of all the girls and perhaps seeing the results of our fundraising efforts would truly be a dream come true."

To learn more about the 50G project or to donate to their efforts, visit their site here.

LA Launch Happening Soon!

Los Angeles area supporters: Get your tickets today for the Los Angeles launch of PROJECT FUTURES global, hosted by Ashley Rickards, AnnaLynne McCord, Shay Mitchell, and other stars!Share this invite with your friends, and family, too! We look forward to seeing you all there!

Faces of Slavery

Meet Somana, a member of Somaly Mam Foundation's Voices for Change. Hear her story, learn about trafficking, and make a diffefence. Join Somaly today.

Success Success: Reunited and Reintegrated

Earlier I mentioned that Charlotte is currently visiting with the Voices for Change leaders. While visiting, Charlotte witnessed the most inspirational event.

Two sisters who were raised separately and both were trafficked then rescued by AFESIP. They were reunited at one of the centers. One of the girls has gone through the programs and has been successfully reintegrated. She now has a loving husband, an adorable daughter, and a successful grocery and sewing business. She also makes sugar cane for the dry season.

The Somaly Mam Foundation gave clothes to the child and the Voices for Change leaders shared their love as they are all old friends. Everyone involved in SMF and Project Futures, Somaly, employees, volunteers and supporters have helped towards this amazing event. It is success stories like this that we hope continue to happen as more girls get reintegrated. Charlotte said it has been an "inspirational reintegration visit!"

Visiting Voices for Change

Charlotte, SMF's Director of Anti-Trafficking Programs, is currently visiting with members of Voices for Change. These empowered survivors share their stories and have their voices heard in courts of law and public perception and have influence and impact on effecting positive change in Cambodian society. They are helping themselves by helping others. To learn more about the program and other SMF initiative, visit their website here.

Volunteer Profile: Jacquelene Adam

This volunteer story was shared by Jacquelene Adam, a volunteer with PROJECT FUTURES global. To share your story or to highlight a volunteer project in your area, contact futures@somaly.org.

"The ancient city of Angkor, smiling faces and kind conversations are what made me fall in love with Cambodia. The extreme poverty and human trafficking industry in the country are what made me decide I wanted to do something to help these people and this beautiful country.

My trip to Cambodia happened by accident, I was traveling through Thailand for over a month with the hopes of continuing my travels in that country. After I crossed the Malaysian border and was stamped back into Thailand with only a 15 day visa, I decided to travel to Cambodia with the remaining time I had left until flying back to the states, 25 days later. Little did I know, that this country and these people would change my life.

I rode around with my travel companion and our tuk tuk driver who became our dear friend, through the streets of Siem Reap, visiting the temples of Angkor and the floating villages. We spent nights chatting with our new Cambodian friends and navigating our way through the night markets. I educated myself on the countries history, watching videos and visiting museums and my heart was broken. I visited the killing fields and prison in Phnom Phen and cried at the base of a memorial. After dinner, on our walks back to our hotel, we passed young girls, outside buildings wearing make up and luring in visitors. At that time, I was completely unaware that I was probably passing a brothel, that these girls were sex slaves. I just walked by, ignoring them.

Upon my return I began reaching out to different organizations that worked in Cambodia and helped with education, poverty and health care. While searching, I stumbled upon the Somaly Mam Foundation. I watched the videos on the page. I read about the programs and the girls living at AFESIP. It took me only two days to read Somaly's book, The Road of Lost Innocence. I became aware.

Since then, I have been volunteering with the organization, working on this blog and helping at the events. I was excited to be part of the New York launch of Project Futures global and will be traveling to Los Angeles for the launch with the floral company I work with, Gira, who kindly donated floral arrangements for both events.

I continue to be moved by everything Somaly Mam, the foundation, and Project Futures does for these girls and I am thankful to be a part of it. Join me in the fight and become aware."

This volunteer story was shared by Jacqueline Adam, a volunteer with PROJECT FUTURES global. To share your story or to highlight a volunteer project in your area, contact futures@somaly.org. 

Shay Mitchell: Slavery Exists

Actress Shay Mitchell, star of ABC Family's hit television series Pretty Little Liars has joined the Somaly Mam Foundation in the fight to end slavery. Check out the PSA she recorded on a visit to the shelters in Cambodia.

Meet The Team: Charlotte, Director of Anti-Trafficking Programs

Meet Charlotte, Director of Anti-Trafficking Programs at the Somaly Mam Foundation. Charlotte is currently in the field to check in with partner shelters and their directors. Charlotte first visited with the partner shelters in Vietnam and is now in Cambodia with the Voices for Change leaders. Charlotte is sure to have stories to tell when she returns so check back to see how her trip went! 

 

PROJECT FUTURES Global: Los Angeles Launch, July 23

Los Angeles is joining in and launching PROJECT FUTURES global on July 23rd at the SLS Hotel Beverly Hills. If you are in the area and would like to attend the event, check out the invite. Donated product for the auction and gift bags is still needed and we appreciate the support. Volunteers are also still needed and we would love for you to join the Los Angeles team and help with this sure to be amazing event!

PROJECT FUTURES global Launch

The Project Futures global New York launch event was an absolute success! Thank you to everyone who made it happen and attended the event. We raised nearly $20,000 and received hundreds of new commitments to joing the PROJECT FUTURES team.
Read some press coverage of the event in PAPERMAG, Vogue and WSJ.

New York Committee

Couldn't make the New York party? Join us as PROJECT FUTURES global launches in Los Angeles on July 23rd!