Breaking Free

Dec 13, 2012 by Judy

Breaking Free is everything that Lusso Bags wishes for in an organization whose goal is to end sex trafficking. Breaking Free Founder and Executive Director, Vednita Carter, has dedicated her life to advocating for, rescuing, and restoring victims of prostitution. She is an author, sought-after speaker and trainer to various organizations including the FBI, and an award-winning pioneer in the abolitionist movement. She has extensive experience in developing and planning programs for sex trafficked women and girls, and was awarded the Norma Hotaling Award for her life-long service to victims of sex trafficking. Vednita says, “Prostitution is not the world’s oldest profession. It is the world’s oldest oppression.” Their belief is, they understand sex trafficking as a vicious cycle of violence, abuse, incarceration, and addiction.  Repeated experiences of violence undermine women and girls’ capacities to avoid further victimization.  Sexual exploitation distorts the lives of women and girls, destroys families, and undermines the fabric of our communities. In order to break the cycle, we must first recognize sex trafficking/prostitution as a form of violence against women.  

I am always personally bothered by the fact that without the demand, this would not be something women and children are trapped in. The Breaking Free organization actually has a ”John” school which attempts to teach misconceptions and wrong attitudes towards women. They goe the whole nine yards for the women seeking help and offer help with everything from housing to pre-court diversion programs. Diversion utilizes re-education, rehabilitation, and case management, helping victims avoid both criminal charges, as well as, the collateral consequences that result from a criminal history.

The Breaking Free website is amazing and full of excellent information and statistics. As always, we here at Lusso urge you to become involved and Breaking Free offers lots of ways you can help out from buying a gift at their online botique, volunteering or making a donation. Your involvement makes a difference!

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A Look At Human Rights Day

Dec 10, 2012 by Judy

Most of us who are blessed to not be a victim of abuse, regardless of its many horrific forms, don’t spend a lot of time thinking about the day to day lives of those who are victims. After writing many times on human rights violations, there is one thing that stands out to me and that is there are so many wonderful caring people and organizations working to change the way things are. In this instance it is a worldwide, inter-governmental force at work giving the issue a booming voice. If I were a victim, it would give me hope to know that one day either my life or the life of someone I love, would be mine to live and without fear. Lets be educated and do what we can to be part of the solution and the momentum that will bring about necessary change.

Human Rights

The rights to freedom of opinion and expression, to peaceful assembly and association, and to take part in government (articles 19, 20 and 21 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights)

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights   (UDHR) was adopted on December 10th 1948 and came on the heals of the end of WWII and the atrocities on humanity witnessed there. Since then December 10th has marked Human Rights Day worldwide. The High Commissioner for Human Rights, as the main UN rights official, and her Office play a major role in coordinating efforts for the yearly observance of Human Rights Day.

The UDHR: the foremost statement of the rights and freedoms of all human   beings

The Declaration adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948,   consists of a preamble and 30 articles, setting out a broad range of fundamental human rights and freedoms to which all men and women, everywhere in the world,  are entitled, without any distinction.

The Most Universal Document in the World

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has been awarded the Guinness World Record for having collected, translated and disseminated the Universal Declaration of Human Rights into more than 380 languages and dialects: from Abkhaz to Zulu. The Universal Declaration is thus the most   translated document – indeed, the most “universal” one in the world.

Taken from a portion of the preamble to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights:

Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in  barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the  advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech  and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the  highest aspiration of the common people,

Whereas the peoples of the United Nations have in the Charter  reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and  worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women and  have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life  in larger freedom,

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights can be viewed, in its entirety,  by clicking on the link. For all of societies problems and downfalls, it is very uplifting to read the Declaration which shows a magnificently drawn up plan that will hopefully one day be fully realized in its protection and freedom of all humans on the earth. Also, there are so many ways you can make a difference and one of them is by buying Fair Trade products. Buying Fair Trade Certified products is no small thing and holds the power of change on many levels. It ensures fair working conditions for many who once worked in oppressive, dangerous work places, fair pay bringing many out of poverty and allowing for self-made choices and more organic, eco-friendly farming which is safer and better for the planet.

Let’s observe Human Rights Day with a humble, grateful heart and do something on December 10th that benefits a fellow human being letting them know someone cares and they are worthy of the attention.

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Little Dresses For Africa

Dec 6, 2012 by Judy

Little Dresses for Africa is a non-profit 501c3, Christian  organization, which provides relief to the children of  Africa. Simple dresses are made out of pillow cases, and distributed through the orphanages, churches and schools in  Africa to plant in the hearts of little girls that they are worthy! This ministry captures the hearts of so many and continues to grow as groups of all sizes spring up across America.  These groups cross age, gender and denominational lines, to serve the most vulnerable of God’s children: little girls.  To date LDFA has received well  over ONE MILLION LITTLE DRESSES and donations from all 50 states across the USA as well as from the UK, Canada, Mexico and Australia.  ONE MILLION.  That’s a lot of little girls!! With your help these beautiful dresses have been distributed in 43 countries of Africa!  LDFA is happy to partner with mission teams and travelers to get these dresses to the children who need them most. One generous supporter,  Nancy’s Notions, has sent over 65,000 for us internationally.  Dresses have also been sent to  other countries in crisis such as Honduras, Guatemala, The Philippines, Cambodia, Mexico and thousands and thousands to Haiti.  In addition, LDFA has sent dresses to children in need right here in the United States, in the Appalachian Mountains and South Dakota. But more importantly than how many have been shipped, are the lives that they have touched as these little dresses go out as little Ambassadors in the name of Jesus, to give hope to the children that receive them.

Little Dresses for Africa Team 2012 has returned from Malawi with full and grateful hearts!  Our time in the “warm heart of Africa” was indeed warm, and full of genuine hospitality.  We were blessed with beautiful weather and relatively good health, all things considered.  We were able, with your help, to take thousands of dresses and britches for boys.  You provided the means to conduct Bible lessons, and provide crafts for the attendees, both children and adults.  We delivered, on your behalf, 200 Buckets of Hope, full of rice, oil, sugar, plastic-ware, Bibles and soap.  We sang.  We prayed.  We encouraged them and they encouraged us!  Thank you so much for making it happen.  Your generosity was deeply felt by all of us!

The website for LDFA has the patterns and sizes for the super easy to make dresses as well as other ways to be involved and make a difference.

 

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Half The Sky

Nov 20, 2012 by Judy

At the forefront of a successful 2009 book  of the same title is the Half The Sky Movement. The Half the Sky Movement is cutting across platforms to bring about the change needed to put an end to the oppression of women and girls worldwide, which is, the defining issue of our time. Inspired by journalists Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn’s book of the same name, Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide brings together video, websites, games, blogs and other educational tools to not only raise awareness of women’s issues, but to also provide concrete steps to fight these problems and empower women. Change is possible, and you can be part of the solution.

Hidden in the overlapping problems of sex trafficking and forced prostitution, gender-based violence, and maternal mortality is the single most vital opportunity of our time — and women are seizing it. From Somaliland to Cambodia to Afghanistan, women’s oppression is being confronted head on and real, meaningful solutions are being fashioned. Change is happening, and it’s happening now.

It’s so exciting, inspiring, motivational, heart-wrenching and heartwarming, life changing and effective to not only see all that’s happening to change lives but that it is made so easy to be involved and become part of that exciting movement.

Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwideis a four-hour television series for PBS and international broadcast, shot in 10 countries: Cambodia, Kenya, India, Sierra Leone, Somaliland, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Liberia and the U.S. Inspired by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn’s book, the documentary series introduces women and girls who are living under some of the most difficult circumstances imaginable — and fighting bravely to change them. Traveling with intrepid reporter Nicholas Kristof and A-list celebrity advocates America Ferrera, Diane Lane, Eva Mendes, Meg Ryan, Gabrielle Union and Olivia Wilde, the film reflects viable and sustainable options for empowerment and offers an actionable blueprint for transformation. The series premiered in the United States Oct. 1 and 2, 2012, with international broadcast to follow in 2013.

We at Lusso Bags believe passionately in finding answers to the call of others who are desperate for help. There are so many good opportunities that require very little of us but truly make a difference in lives. We imagine ourselves or loved ones without opportunity in this world and we are moved. We read, see or hear a story and become motivated to help bring about the absolute, necessary change. We wish to be able to contribute to the cause of human trafficking and women’s issues by selling one Lusso Bag at a time because that’s what we are here to do. More than that we hope to also spur others on to become involved and make a difference for someone somewhere. Your contribution matters. Check out the Half The Sky website for lot’s of ways to make a difference.

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