“Thou shalt not be a victim. Thou shalt not be a perpetrator. Above all, thou shalt not be a bystander.” (Holocaust Musuem, Washington, D.C.)
I strive to never find myself in a situation being the bystander, I strive to be the activist; the one getting involved and being the voices of those whose voices are silenced and oppressed. Last summer, I was able to participate in a two-day lobbying event in Washington, D.C. with an organization called Invisible Children in order to pass a bill that would make the conflict going on in Uganda more of a priority. We had meetings with our representatives of state and were able to step in and be the voice of child soldiers and sex slaves of Uganda. Seeing so many youth participating in this social act, made my adrenaline rush to make change in the world; I was so inspired. And when this happens, its like tons of light bulbs flick on in my head. On returning to Brazil, I had a plan. I was going to start a social justice club not only raise money to help fight injustice around the world, but to also spread awareness. So I did. Things didn’t exactly kick off so well, and at times I felt like this idea was hopeless, but those innocent kids yet to be tainted by the corruption of the world kept me going. I began to realize that it didn’t matter if I was the only one, or if the number of participants was less than ten. It’s not about me, it’s about them.
So now, second semester has begun and I tried doing things differently this new year. Instead of inviting random people, I thought about those whose qualities involve leading. And now, there are seven of us, yet we are a passionate seven. We are currently helping the school’s student government with throwing an event to raise money for Haiti, and we plan to do other things to raise money for Haiti relief as well. And so, as club plans have been forming, my plans have been as well. I plan to go to Haiti this summer with a group, where we can help in the relief efforts in any way possible. Whether its bringing medical supplies, clothing, or money to help rebuild, I want to do anything I can to bring a sense of hope to Haiti. “We have before us the glorious opportunity to inject a new dimension of love into the veins of our civilization” (Martin Luther King, Jr.). We are capable of creating change.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Children of the Favelas
It all started when I saw the gleam in her eye and the want to have attention in her face that I nearly swept her up and took her home with me…
Gustavo, a second-year student in MCUMI (www.mcumi.org) gave my mother, three of my siblings, and I the privilege of going with him to visit his family in the favelas, slums. I was so excited about making the trip because I have known Gustavo since I was six years old and he is like an older brother to me to this very day.
Nearly taking two hours, we first took a train, caught a public bus, and then walked up the mountainous roads to where he lived. I thought I’d get a heat stroke with the amount of energy I had to use to climb the steep hills with the hot sun blasting its hardest on my back.
It wasn’t until we finally got to his house did I believe that the trek all the way up there was worth it. While Gustavo and my two brothers, Sean and Christopher, went to go to a neighbor’s house I stayed and helped translate for my mom. As Bekah shot pictures of Gustavo’s 5 little sisters that were present, my mother, Gustavo’s mother, and I sat on a “couch” where all you could practically feel was wood. The house only had two, small rooms clearly not large enough for the amount of occupants living in the house.
Translating back and forth between my mother and Gustavo’s mother was tiring but I somehow found the energy to play with his little sisters who clung to me. Just playing American football with the girls and letting them hold my hands brought smiles to their faces as if they were given the world. One of sisters, Estella, was a rambunctious little girl with lots of energy who my heart nearly flipped over for. Even though she tried to run me over with her little tricycle and jump all over me the sparkle in her face at having a dose of attention from an outsider overwhelmed me.
I’ve always had a soft spot in my heart for children…okay a BIG spot in my heart for them. They have a sense of love for me too. They pee on me, play with my hair, and somehow I end up carrying them EVERYWHERE; and I don’t make a big deal about being peed on or them messing up my hair, or having sore arms the next day because for one day or however long I’m with them I get to put myself aside. I get to put away all my dreams, wants, needs and think about their dreams, wants and needs. And in the end I am repaid more than seventy times for what I did just by the expression on their face; their smile that reaches up all the way to their ears, their eyes that shimmer with joy, and their sense of belonging.
Millions of children die each year because of their condition in poverty for all various reasons. Some die because their family has no means to pay for treatment of AIDS, some die of hunger, some die because of murder, but mostly I believe that the biggest reason why they die and suffer so much is because of the lack of love. We all say we love the little children, but actions speak louder than words. I’m sure that if we all participated in helping young children like Gustavo’s sister, Estella, she would live a longer, fuller life. Children all across the globe are born and die sometimes feeling unloved, and it’s a feeling that we can suppress and wipe away forever.
Gustavo, a second-year student in MCUMI (www.mcumi.org) gave my mother, three of my siblings, and I the privilege of going with him to visit his family in the favelas, slums. I was so excited about making the trip because I have known Gustavo since I was six years old and he is like an older brother to me to this very day.
Nearly taking two hours, we first took a train, caught a public bus, and then walked up the mountainous roads to where he lived. I thought I’d get a heat stroke with the amount of energy I had to use to climb the steep hills with the hot sun blasting its hardest on my back.
It wasn’t until we finally got to his house did I believe that the trek all the way up there was worth it. While Gustavo and my two brothers, Sean and Christopher, went to go to a neighbor’s house I stayed and helped translate for my mom. As Bekah shot pictures of Gustavo’s 5 little sisters that were present, my mother, Gustavo’s mother, and I sat on a “couch” where all you could practically feel was wood. The house only had two, small rooms clearly not large enough for the amount of occupants living in the house.
Translating back and forth between my mother and Gustavo’s mother was tiring but I somehow found the energy to play with his little sisters who clung to me. Just playing American football with the girls and letting them hold my hands brought smiles to their faces as if they were given the world. One of sisters, Estella, was a rambunctious little girl with lots of energy who my heart nearly flipped over for. Even though she tried to run me over with her little tricycle and jump all over me the sparkle in her face at having a dose of attention from an outsider overwhelmed me.
I’ve always had a soft spot in my heart for children…okay a BIG spot in my heart for them. They have a sense of love for me too. They pee on me, play with my hair, and somehow I end up carrying them EVERYWHERE; and I don’t make a big deal about being peed on or them messing up my hair, or having sore arms the next day because for one day or however long I’m with them I get to put myself aside. I get to put away all my dreams, wants, needs and think about their dreams, wants and needs. And in the end I am repaid more than seventy times for what I did just by the expression on their face; their smile that reaches up all the way to their ears, their eyes that shimmer with joy, and their sense of belonging.
Millions of children die each year because of their condition in poverty for all various reasons. Some die because their family has no means to pay for treatment of AIDS, some die of hunger, some die because of murder, but mostly I believe that the biggest reason why they die and suffer so much is because of the lack of love. We all say we love the little children, but actions speak louder than words. I’m sure that if we all participated in helping young children like Gustavo’s sister, Estella, she would live a longer, fuller life. Children all across the globe are born and die sometimes feeling unloved, and it’s a feeling that we can suppress and wipe away forever.
Monday, February 16, 2009
“Sex Slaves in Sacramento!” Global Sex Trade
“You heard my plea, ´Do not close your ear to my cry for help, but give me relief!´” Lamentations 3:56
The sex slave industry is a feeding monster that grows as it consumes; Who will stop it?
While reading about women who have been rescued from the nightmare of being forced into the sex trade, I was shocked to find out that one of the girls nearly my age named Catalina Suraez was a sex slave in my hometown of Sacramento. As a runaway who fell into the deadly trap of an older neighbor just when she was 9 years old, she was taken all over Latin America and the US, drugged and prostituted against her will. Thankfully, Catalina has escaped that world with the help of caring people, but you can imagine the scars that are left with some of these women who have been rescued. It’s something they carry with them forever, whether it´s still a burden or just a part of their past.
Sexual slavery is a morally wrong and perverse type of labor that is so broadly expanded. I can´t stand around and overlook it and I´m sure you feel the same. We must stand up and start fighting for the virginity of those who have yet to endure the revolting and repulsive lust that come to take away their innocence. Or what about those who have to succumb to the impious desire that so many people throughout the world crave? We can help.
What’s happening on our home planet:
Over 27 million people are in some type of slavery in the world, 80% of those who are trafficked are women while 50% are underage. Sadly, 75% of them are forced into sexual exploitation of some kind. Let’s take in those percentages and realize that this isn´t a “small” problem for a couple of organizations to tackle. No, this is a global issue that affects EVERYONE, me and you. Over 2 million girls between 5 and 15 have already been thrown into the sex market.
Many think this “secret” sex trade goes on only in other countries, but its also happening in the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Oh yes...the free, new land of opportunities has been taking its fair share in endorsing the sex slave industry with plenty of money.
Why does the sex trade exist?
Well, first of all, girls of all ages up to young women are lured by pimps, organizers, brothel owners, and traffickers to go to an unknown place where they can “raise money for their families and have new opportunities.” Naive women of all ages are tricked into this all the time, not knowing that they have damned themselves into the worst kind of slavery that exists on our planet today.
The sex trade is a widespread business that pollutes the alleys of our beautiful United States, but also travels around our globe. So what about all the other “Catalinas” in our world?? As numbers and percentages have proven, many “Catalinas” desperately need our help. I hope and pray that our eyes and hearts will be open and we will realize that the magnitude of the situation. For a second, let’s reflect on our life; the bad and good that goes on. Now let’s try to imagine the life of a young woman or mere child who endures life as a sex slave. We must be the voice for those who are silenced. Join me in fighting against these horrible crimes against women and children. One great thing you can do is donate today, directly to the international Justice Mission. http://www.ijm.org/give. Life will never wait for us to wake up to help, and sadly, hers won’t either.
“Since he found her in the open country, the engaged women may have cried for help, but there was no one to rescue her.” Deuteronomy 22:27
“Surely one does not turn against the needy, when in disaster they cry for help.” Job 33:24
“How does God´s love abide in anyone who has the world´s goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses to help? Little children - let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action.” 1 John 3:17-18
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