Young People Changing the World

Photo by Ginnerobot

Well, I turn 25 today.  So I'm wondering how much longer I can think of myself as a "young person."  But I hope to someday accomplish what some of these people (most of the much younger than I am!) have done in the fight against child sex trafficking.

YPP

In December 2007, a group of young people including survivors of trafficking from India, Nepal, and Bangladesh gathered for a three-day meeting in Kathmandu to plead with their respective governments for better protection against child trafficking.  The children were part of a group called YPP (Youth Partnership Project South Asia), and in a march they pressed for better laws from their government and more involvement from the faith groups.  Estimates in late 2007 stated that the YPP had already reached out to more than 50,000 children who were at-risk, in the red light districts, or through better awareness campaigns.  

Minga

Newon, MA teenager Katie Simon started a group called Minga after becoming acutely aware of the suffering happening in today's child sex trafficking industry.  The first project was a yard sale that raised a whopping $6,500.  Since then the group has raised upwards of $40,000, which has helped to complete a rehab center for children in the Philippines.  Minga now works with partners in Guatemala, Thailand, and Boston to continue making a difference--all before they even leave high school.  

PACT/Asia ACTs

The Philippines is kicking off a year-long initiative to educate kids about child trafficking and equipping them to take steps for fighting it themselves.  Philippines Against Child Trafficking (PACT), which is described as a "network of NGOs and individuals primarily from government agencies," will be reaching out to 45 areas with the message, "Children, speak out! Help find and save the trafficked child."  Asia ACTs is launching a regional campaign with partners in Cambodia, Vietnam, Lao PDR, Thailand, Indonesia, Burma, and the Philippines to promote the participating of children in anti-child trafficking activities.  The groups believe that children themselves have the best voices to bring passion and awareness to this issue, and hope that seeds of ending the tragedy of child trafficking will grow as they do.  

You

You can be a part of it, too, no matter how old you are :)  In honor of my birthday I'm going to donate $1 for every comment, and $2 for every follow (the bar on the right with people's pictures in it), to anti-child sex trafficking charity Love146, up to $146.  So comment and follow away, and it'll make me a very happy birthday girl.