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!"