Human trafficking is a real thing. Every single time my children walk out the door I worry about their safety. They are both in their 20’s, but that doesn’t mean they can’t get kidnapped and forced into human trafficking. My daughter is also worried. She calls me on the phone whenever she feels unsafe in her surroundings. Not that being on the phone makes any situation safer, but at least she’d be able to identify (describe) any suspicious people around her so I can notify the police.
Ugh! Just thinking about it gives me chills. I don’t care if my kids were in their 30’s, 40’s or 50’s… I’ll ALWAYS worry about their safety and well being.
The International Labor Organization estimates that there are 4.5 MILLION people trapped in forced sexual exploitation globally.
Can you imagine being a survivor of human trafficking? That is a life changing event. I doubt you ever recover from it.
There is a brand that is helping victims of human trafficking. It’s called Made for Freedom.
Dawn Manske came face to face with the effects of human trafficking while living in China. She decided to devote her life to creating a world free from modern-day slavery. She founded Made for Freedom, a social enterprise offering fashion and lifestyle products created by survivors of human trafficking. Manufacturing of these ethically made products provides dignified employment to victims and women at risk. To date, she’s provided over 2511,000 hours of work to artisans. Learn how Made for Freedom got started on this episode of PBS Startup.
A social enterprise, dignified employment, fast fashion, and the consumer are all interconnected. There is no fast fashion at Made for Freedom, rather a devoted group of artisans looking for a way out of poverty and vulnerability.
Consumers can make a difference with their shopping habits, impacting the lives of others. Made for Freedom asks people to support the type of work they want to see with their wallets, further helping women globally achieve financial independence, healthier families, decreased physical abuse, and increased gender equality. Made for Freedom does that and so much more.
Helping to end the cycle of exploitation, the lovely items below were made by women that have come out of human trafficking.
Made for Freedom has so many lovely and unique items on their website. Here are just a few examples.
Cielo Earrings in Silver with Sodalite
These are just a few examples.
I was sent a necklace from Made for Freedom to review. I received their Rhinestone Starfish Necklace.
The necklace is as lovely as it looks in this professional photograph.
I love the meaning behind the starfish.
Once upon a time, there was an old man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach every morning before he began his work. Early one morning, he was walking along the shore after a big storm had passed and found the vast beach littered with starfish as far as the eye could see, stretching in both directions.
Off in the distance, the old man noticed a small boy approaching. As the boy walked, he paused every so often and as he grew closer, the man could see that he was occasionally bending down to pick up an object and throw it into the sea. The boy came closer still and the man called out, “Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?”
The young boy paused, looked up, and replied “Throwing starfish into the ocean. The tide has washed them up onto the beach and they can’t return to the sea by themselves,” the youth replied. “When the sun gets high, they will die, unless I throw them back into the water.”
The old man replied, “But there must be tens of thousands of starfish on this beach. I’m afraid you won’t really be able to make much of a difference.”
The boy bent down, picked up yet another starfish and threw it as far as he could into the ocean. Then he turned, smiled and said, “It made a difference to that one!”
Adapted from The Star Thrower, by Loren Eiseley (1907 – 1977)
That story melts my heart. You truly don’t really know the impact one small gesture of kindness can do for someone else. A smile, holding open a door, letting someone with few items ahead of you on the check out line… these small random acts of kindness can have a ripple effect too.
Not only does wearing the starfish necklace remind me of this story every time I wear it, but it also helps those who are victims of human trafficking. Plus it’s a beautiful necklace.
- Stainless steel rolo-chain
- Adjustable: 16-18 inches
- 1.25 inch starfish pendant
- Spring-ring clasp
- Hypoallergenic; lead and cadmium free with nickel content less than 100 ppm.
I have a thick neck, so I need to use the extender part of the chain. I’m eventually going to get a longer necklace chain for the pendant. I prefer my necklaces be around 20″ (either that or I’ll get a longer extender).
I have received many compliments on this necklace because of how unique it looks. I’ve seen necklaces with stars on them, but never a starfish. And this necklace is definitely a starfish. There is no mistaking that.
It’s so sparkly too! That is my favorite thing about this necklace, especially when sunlight hits it. WOW! The sparkle!
If you are still in search of the perfect gift, why not check out all that Made for Freedom has to offer. You’ll give a great gift, and you’ll help victims of human trafficking too. It’s a win-win situation.
If you are interested in learning more, visit MadeforFreedom.com. The brand can also be found on social media. All of those links are found on the bottom of their website.
Kimberly
*I received a free sample in order to do this review. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way.