When you hear stats about human trafficking and that there are over 40 million people reported as victims worldwide, you begin to think, “How can I, myself, a single person, make a difference in 40 million people’s lives? What can I do to help?” 40 million is a LOT and it’s easy to get overwhelmed when you try to take on a monsterous cause like that on your own, but you’re not alone in this fight. Belle + Blossom is here to help you find ways to make a difference by offering curated collections of fair trade products that support survivors of human trafficking, like the Starfish Project collection.
Our newest fair trade social enterprise partner, Starfish Project, was founded in 2006 by a group of girlfriends who sought to restore hope and bring freedom to girls and women who were sex trafficked. They started by visiting brothels week after week and building trust with exploited individuals through small talk. Once the women were comfortable enough, they shared their stories about how they got into the situation they were in -- many of which said they were tricked by people they loved or sold into brothels.
The Starfish Project helps girls and women experience freedom away from the sex industry through dignified work opportunities, establish independence through holistic care programs, and provide specialized training to develop careers.
Today, the Starfish Project employs over 145 women who have escaped human trafficking and has served over thousands through community outreach services all thanks to shoppers who support their cause, like you! They offer fair wages and dignified work opportunities which include high quality jewelry making, and assisting with their Finance, HR, and Photography teams.
And on that positive note, we’d like to end this blog post with the Starfish Parable:
