International Princess Project (IPP) is a cause that is very near and dear to my heart. IPP is a "non-profit organization that advocates for women enslaved in prostitution, helping them restore their lives and empowering them to live free." One of my close girlfriends invited me to a Punjammie (which are super cute PJ bottoms made from beautiful Indian sari material) party a few years back. It was there that I saw the video above for the first time and was hooked. I started volunteering a few hours a week in the office folding Punjammies and doing some light office work where they needed it. Last year I had the opportunity to help out with their annual Fabric of Freedom Gala, which is an incredible night. You are greeted with tasty wine and hor d'oeuvres as you walk through an elaborate silent auction. Beautiful Indian inspired music is playing while people are mingling, getting henna tattoos, and anticipating bidding on auction items like an NYC weekend that includes tickets to see Saturday Night Live.
In honor of Mother's Day coming up on Sunday May 8th, IPP is offering a Mother's Day Special. The first 50 online orders receive a FREE 31 Bits (another amazing cause) bracelet with their order. What a special gift to show moms the impact they have had in our lives, while also making a big difference in restoring dignity and hope to mothers, sisters, and daughters that are experiencing freedom in ways they never have before. With the purchase of Punjammies you are a part of something truly transformational.
Below is a video that was shared during last year's Fabric of Freedom Gala. It shows one of the women telling her story of being sold into sexual slavery and how she was rescued and is now experiencing freedom because of the support of International Princess Project and it's partners.
Modern day slavery and human trafficking is an incredibly huge problem around the world, as well as, here in the United States. Recently CNN has dedicated it's time and resources to ending modern day slavery through The Freedom Project. More and more people are becoming increasingly aware of the enormity of this problem and are ready to be a part of the solution.
Last week I had the chance to speak with a guy who just came back from spending six months in India working with Harvest India, one of IPP's partners. He shared that through restoring one woman from sexual slavery, you are freeing the next generation from a similar fate. He was witness to one woman starting as a seamstress at one of IPP's sewing centers, who now is a manager and trainer at another center. This same woman's daughter is training to be a nurse through another program available through Harvest India. The freedom of one woman has a ripple affect that will span generations.
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