Today, there are over 30 million people in modern day slavery around the world.
The average sex trafficking victim is forced to have sex 20-48 times a day.
Every 60 seconds, two children are sold into slavery
(End It Movement).
This month, my team and I are working with an organization called Change Your World (CYW). CYW is an organization founded by Kelvin and Cathryn Lim, in 2005. Their aim is to empower the millennial generation to rise up and take a stand against modern day slavery.
In recent campaigns, CYW has used startling visual graphics and re-enactments of human trafficking to grab the attention of the public. Change Your World has also partnered with global non-profits like Not For Sale, as well as with local rescue programs and shelters. As a direct result of these events and campaigns, people have been able to spot trafficking situations and intervene to save lives.
Essentially, our team is here to help pour in ideas to this already amazing organization. Our team has assisted in revamping the volunteer program, as well as designing merchandise and brochures. So, what does a Change Your World event look like, you ask? I will break it down into three parts of what CYW has coined, a JOURNEY…
Quest. This is where the journey begins. Quest is a pre-event that takes place 2-3 months before the main event, or tour. CYW puts on 1-hour sessions in different cities by using multi-media presentations, icebreakers and discussion to spur on a passion and courage in these young individuals.
Tour. This is the main event! The goal of this tour is to educate the millennials on modern day slavery by engaging them in original ways. CYW Tour brings this transformation through music, drama, dance and main event speakers. They aim to rise up leaders who will put their creative minds to work by forming projects that spread awareness in their own communities.
Venture. This post-event provides the opportunity for long-term involvement beyond Quest and Tour. Change Your World offers SHIELD: a volunteer force of zealous, driven youth who desire to make a difference and save lives. SHIELD allows the volunteers to be active, invest their time in a meaningful campaign and speak out.
We have gotten to live alongside Kel and Cathryn, like family, and hear each of their beautiful hearts toward this mission. They have seen the positive outcomes of young people coming together and merging their talents and minds for a greater cause. They know it is possible to stir up even more people in taking a stand against slavery.
Will You Join Us?
In order to take Change Your World to the next step in spreading awareness, we need YOUR help. Below we have created a video that we hope you will share and join in on, by accepting the challenge we pose and spreading it to family and friends. CYW is looking to raise $300,000 for their 2015 campaigns and initiatives. Many of us are aware of modern day slavery but find ourselves wondering what we, *one single person* can do to make a difference in such a large scale epidemic? By partaking in this video challenge or donating to CYW, you are not only helping raise funds for a cause; you are actively spreading awareness yourself. You can save a life.
#cywgroovement
