Let's Be Captivating-Together-For Her

I began this campaign years ago with no clear idea of how long it would last or what shape it would take. Be Captivating was born from a simple conviction: to use my privilege, freedom, and resources to stand with those who are vulnerable and exploited. Along the way, it has been a privilege to partner with Captivating International and support the powerful work they are doing.Over the years my personal campaign has evolved, but the mission has never wavered. This year, I am especially grateful that my church community has launched Together for Her, a campaign I am proud to stand alongside. Together, we remain deeply committed to ending human trafficking through prevention, interception, and survivor care.

Human trafficking is one of the fastest-growing crimes in the world, with an estimated 50 million people trapped in modern slavery today—including 12 million children. The scale of this crisis is overwhelming, but we are committed to doing something about it.

Making a Tangible Difference

Through this partnership, our community is helping raise both funds and awareness to protect the vulnerable and support survivors. Every initiative matters:

• AU $130 can intercept a girl at a border before she is trafficked.

• Fundraisers like teas, community events, and creative campaigns are already helping generate life-changing support.

• Awareness efforts—such as the annual Stop Trafficking 5K—are bringing people together to learn, act, and advocate for freedom.

Together for Her’s work doesn’t stop at prevention. They provide holistic care for those rescued—medical support, education, and counseling—so survivors can rebuild their lives with hope and strength.

How You Can Join Us

This is where you come in. Our partnership grows stronger when more people choose to stand with us. You can:

1. Donate to fund interception and survivor support.

2. Host or join a fundraiser with your church, school, or community group.

3. Share the message on social media and in your circles to raise awareness.

4. Pray and advocate for lasting change and protection for the vulnerable.

Still Raising Funds. Still Raising Awareness.

The fight against human trafficking is far from over, but together, we are making progress. At Be Captivating, we are committed to continuing this work until every life is free.

Join us. Let’s be captivating—together—for her.

Here We Go Again...

I had never dreamed that this ‘one year of no shopping’ campaign would result in continued funds being raised for our India/Nepal border monitoring station long after I was officially allowed to shop again.

Yet here we are. Our third financial year supporting the women and children caught in their nightmare across the seas. I am so proud of what we have achieved together. Proud of the legacy we are leaving behind for the next generation- a legacy that says…

“We did something to help them. We cared enough; loved enough; to do our little bit to change lives…and our little bit made a big difference…so we kept doing it”.

I am shopping again. I continue to live my privileged life; but the story of my life is now so intricately woven with theirs that my privileged life is all the more beautiful because THEY have become part of who I am.

Thank you for your support. Let’s keep fighting for their freedom together.

Love Mel x

Being Captivating- During a Pandemic

I haven’t shopped for almost six months now. It’s been a slow re-shaping of my thinking. A process to discover alternative ways to get that ‘instant gratification’ feeling that shopping so easily gives. It’s not a process I’ve always found enjoyable; but it’s a process I’m grateful for.

I am thinking differently about my own privileged life and simultaneously, I’m finding myself thinking about ‘them’ much more frequently. This is sooooo at the heart of what I wanted to achieve from this campaign. My thinking about their plight, their pain, their stories to become more than just a fleeting sporadic thought. I wanted their stories to weave into my own life so that they become part of my story. That’s the beauty of humanity…when we invest in someone else, a part of us changes. I love that we were created this way.

When this journey began, no one had any idea we would find ourselves in a worldwide pandemic during the campaign. Yet here we are. In some ways, the fact that shops are shut makes the ‘no shopping’ thing easier to achieve for myself and others; but in reality, that’s not the main purpose behind the campaign and let’s be honest, most people have turned to online shopping instead. The main purpose is raising awareness and funds for them.

I haven’t chosen to stop shopping because I’m not allowed to physically attend a shopping center. I haven’t stopped shopping because I had an out of control addiction. I haven’t stopped shopping because I needed to save money or because my wardrobe is full…I stopped shopping because it completely floored me to discover there are more human slaves today than ever before in earth’s history. The solution to this requires more than a passing thought.

The donations thus far have been wonderful. Captivating International has updated me with what is happening at our border patrol (between India and Nepal). While it is presently closed due to COVID-19, the work hasn’t stopped; in fact there are stories of perilous illegal border crossings that police have asked our staff to assist with. Most tragically of all, we KNOW that once the border re-opens the trafficking numbers will increase to higher than they were before. We know this because during lockdown, families that were suffering but surviving due to their income, are at new levels of desperation and poverty. This will be exploited and women either watch their children starve to death or take a risk to save them… hopeful that what they’re being told is true? It was happening before, but the desperation and vulnerability have increased. All the while, the traffickers themselves have had time to become more crafty with their plans. It’s a brutal combination that will yield devastating results.

We also know that the production of child abuse material has soared during this lockdown.

It’s painful to consider and yet we’re so sheltered from the brutality of it’s actualization before our eyes. I cannot imagine what it would feel like to be at the frontline. Our staff are preparing for this. They are ready… are we?

Be Captivating by tuning in to their stories and making a difference in their lives. Can you ‘go without’ something and make monthly donations to #becaptivating? You might find yourself thinking of them more often than you presently do. It’s certainly been the outcome for me…one I’m grateful for.

They are becoming part of me. Our staff are encouraged by knowing they’re supported with every donation that makes its way to their work….and each person we have intercepted and rescued are more than encouraged…they’re free!

Much love

Mel

They are becoming part of my own story. Grateful for this.

What I Want My Daughter To Know

I want her to be captivated by their stories so that it shapes her heart just as it’s shaping mine.

Annabelle (my eldest child) is capable, beautiful, talented and privileged. She’s also almost a teenager making more and more requests regarding the things that she wants…

This Be Captivating Campaign is something she is super glad I’m not making her commit to in the same way that I have. When I first spoke with her about the idea, she was quick to clarify “You’re still allowed to buy stuff for us yeah, Mum?”

She was understandably relieved when I said “Yes”. She’s growing fast and is presently at a tender age, figuring out the things that she values. It’s not the right time for her to commit in the same way I have, but it’s certainly the right time to talk about the trap of consumer culture. To talk about the realities of life for girls her age in Nepal and other countries. Not just the off handed comment that goes something like… “you have no idea how lucky you are”…but to really talk. To show her what projects are funded and why and to modify how she manages the #becaptivating campaign so that her own contributions can still be made for the benefit of ‘them’.

My desire is to shape her heart safely so that she balances care for them with her privileged life.

It wont happen quickly, or easily but it does need to happen purposefully.

You already captivate me Annabelle. #becaptivating in all the right ways as you continue to grow.

Love Mum

PS- To my other three cherubs (two of which aren’t old enough to even be reading this yet). You are awesome and I love you. You are however, far off from being teenagers…and this whole campaign thing is well and truly (for the most part) over your heads (for now)! Will fill you in when the timing is right. xxx

One Month of 'No Shopping' Down.

…Are there really 11 more?!!….I’ve started. It took me longer than I had hoped to launch the project, but there was no reason why I couldn’t begin my “no shopping” commitment. I’m one looooong month in.

Here’s what I have to report:

- It feels like I’m in the throws of breaking an addiction. A habit. I didn’t realise just how much I used incidental shopping as an emotional coping tool. I continue to be drawn to all things beautiful, spotting those lovely ‘extra’s that would work well in my wardrobe. I have noted multiple times the things I would have bought because I either liked it a lot OR it was such a good price it would have been silly to leave it behind? Quite simply, in the past month alone… the dollars have added up. It hasn’t helped that its been the Christmas season and I’ve frequented the shops far more than what I would consider my normal.

-I’ve substituted shopping with eating as my new emotional coping tool. This is not serving me well. Shall need to manage this very soon as my wardrobe options do not accommodate for ‘fluctuating weight’ very well. Compounding the ‘not shopping’ thing with being unable to wear the things I already have and love? #notgood #annoying

It pains me somewhat to say I have an un-used $50 Sunburn voucher that I won’t be using. Yes, that’s right, I cannot accept vouchers and shop anyway during this ban. It’s like a real ‘fair-dinkum; cold turkey’ type commitment. Shall auction it off and donate funds so that it doesn’t go to waste. Look out for the auction if you’re not keen to join me on the ‘go without’ thing but are still eager to support the cause.

Am hoping as the days and months keep rolling on, that I’ll notice a reduction in my acknowledgement of the things that pass me by in the shop windows. I shall keep myself busy with my tribe and the fundraising goal of #becaptivating between now and then. Feel free to sponsor me…I see that as encouragement.

Mel