In late 2019, I committed to no shopping for myself for an entire year. No clothes, no accessories. Instead, all funds (which would have been otherwise spent on me) were donated to Captivating International. Many of you sponsored and supported. Now, we continue to fundraise for a border monitoring station between India and Nepal because we cant help but be moved by their plight and we know we are making a difference.
Go without something in order to donate or find alternative ways to fundraise and sponsor this campaign- join us in the fight- we intercept and rescue trafficked women and children at our own frontline funded border patrol between India and Nepal.
‘BE CAPTIVATING’ thoughts:
Being born into privilege is ok. Ignoring the plight of humanity isn’t. While we don’t get a say regarding the culture or financial climate we’re born into, we do get a say about the type of person we want to become as we navigate the world around us. This requires an honest look at oneself.
Lately, my own self-reflection regarding consumer culture has led me to accept that I’m in too deep. I have fostered such a love for beautiful things. While this in itself doesn’t need to be problematic, it certainly requires assessment. In my case, this assessment has left me wanting to make changes.
The world today pedestals all things beautiful. Unfortunately, in doing so, it feeds an imbalance in the care of humanity. There are so many people in desperate need, and there happen to be many people in a position to help. I can help. So can you. It might just mean we need to change what our eyes and hearts are drawn to and focused on.
We need our hearts to be drawn to the reality that this year alone in Nepal – 20,000* women and girls will be trafficked. In the Philippines – 60,000 to 100,000* women and girls will be trafficked.
Girls will be tricked into migrating out of Nepal chasing the promise of a better life. Girls will be exploited into the sickening world of cybersex in the Philippines. They will suffer enslavement, gang rape, prostitution, or being killed to support the ruthless body part industry.
Let us be captivated by their stories.
Melissa Burrett x
* www.captivating.org (figures are estimations)
“Be captivating not merely because you look beautiful. Be captivating because you’re willing to fight for those who need us to be captivated by their stories.”