My Heroes: Keeping Good Company

Last weekend, January 21-22, 2011, was the Freedom Summit 2011, a historic gathering of 1700 people gathered for the largest anti human trafficking Summit of it's kind on the West Coast. Every moment felt like an honor to be there, to learn what others are doing to combat human trafficking (HT) in all of its forms, and to learn how we can work better together in the Bay Area and beyond.

Dr. Condoleeza Rice made a worthy and admirable leader in the charge. I learned a great deal from her speech, in particular that the cause to stop HT is actually a matter of national security, in part due to the other crimes that cluster around this horrific injustice.

As I walked through or gazed about the vendors room, I sensed a marvelous spirit of unity among us, like the heartbeats of many united as one. For most of us, this was the first time we have ever experienced so many people eager to learn about what we do, and have been doing for years, to fight against HT. One of the things Pockets of Dreams has had to overcome for the past 5 years is simply customer apathy however there was none of that at the Freedom Summit. Customers eagerly listened, learned and supported us. Clearly, it was the same for all of us.

I realized I was standing among my heroes - people that I wanted to thank for all they have been doing to free the enslaved and vulnerable. Going about the vendors room, I gathered autographs of those I count among my heroes. Here is a partial list:

• Tina Beauchamp, AHT Advocate
• Mary Glandus, Lord's helper
• Letitia T., MISSSEY
• Eva Medina, Pockets of Dreams
• Jenn Umberg, Invisible Children
• Nathan Garcia, Call and Response
• Jeremy Anderson, Project: AK-47
• Tammy Von Horn, Pockets of Dreams
• Stacey L., Out of Egypt
• Amber Thomas, Nightlight International
• Karen Schmidt, Pockets of Dreams

A fringe benefit of caring for the worst of victims is you keep company with the best of peers. To all of you and those I wasn't able to gather signatures from, thank you for all you do to protect the most vulnerable among us. May God bless you, increase your reach and effectiveness, and keep all of us in the sweet spirit of unity we are in today.

You Have More Power Than You Think

If you are reading this blog - you have more power than you think. It means you are literate, have access to a computer, and that you are probably free to read what you want to.

Today there is a sneaky mindset creeping into the minds of many consumers about the "poverty we in America are in" due to the "current economic downturn". In fact, we can almost take comfort with "trying to make every dollar go as far as it can" for our families by shopping mindlessly for the lowest possible price point - and feel justified in doing so.

The opposite is actually true. If our current economic income is, in fact, less than it has been in some time - shouldn't we spend even more mindfully? If we have finally gotten a taste of what it means to do a little bit 'without', shouldn't we cross examine every dollar to find out where it's going - and make it truly go as far as it can?

Kalpona Akter of Bangladesh would agree. Entering the garment factories from age 12 to help support her family, Kalpona worked 14 hours a day cutting fabric, for which she earned the equivalent of $6.00 per month. Intended to help support her parents, four sisters and one brother, "my wages hardlly covered anything at all", Kalpona reflected. After finding new work for better pay (about $8.00 per month), she also found her hours increased to about 17 hours a day. Sleeping at the factory along with the other workers, Kalpona rarely saw her family.

Kalpona's story doesn't end here. Through rigorous self-education, she learned that she had rights, that she could help to organize workers at her factory, and today she works as a full-time advocate for living wages, safe working conditions and stopping sweatshops. Her top three suggestions for responsible shoppers:

1. Ask questions
2. Demand transparency
3. Inform companies of the labor standards they must meet to earn your dollar

You have more power than you think to demand that the things you buy are good for both people and the planet. This is called the "green economy," a system that always includes both social and economic justice, both community and environmental health.

The seamstresses of Pockets of Dreams clothing personify what it means to work with dignity and for a fair wage, earning 3-5 times what they earn in country for similar work. Moreover, they are able to work from home so they can watch over their children and spend more time with their families. Our Managing Partner, Tammy Von Horn, personally traveled to rural Manila and Malolos, Philippines bearing gifts and blessings to share with our seamstresses as we now enter our third year working together. Meet Carina, Neri, Ivy and our other seamstresses in this clip.

You have more power than you think. How will you use it?

Pockets of Dreams

A Matter of Respect

October 16, 2010 marked the "Day on the Bay" celebration in Alviso, CA and Pockets of Dreams was on hand to give away free pinwheels, display our children's clothing and feature a free children's coloring contest. Thousands of people from all over the Bay Area came out to enjoy the festivities, free food, pumpkins - even free kayak rides! Called the "next Sausalito" by Mercury News writer Tracy Seipel, there was an air of nostalgic fun and festivity.

As children flocked to our booth to join in the "Design A Pockets of Dreams" coloring contest, I had a chance to observe entire families together. One large family impressed me in particular as they lingered for over 45 minutes while their little girl devoted herself to drawing her best picture. At no time did the adults urge her to hurry up or be finished. Instead, they simply waited for however long it took her to finish. What a wonderful way to show respect and nurture to a little girl.

Another man stopped with his two children, likely giving Mom a break for the afternoon, and patiently helped them for about 30 minutes to draw their pictures and write down their dreams. Again, what a wonderful way to nurture children - simply giving them time, patience and a little encouragement.

Sometimes children would say they didn't know what their dreams were but, with a little gentle prodding, they quickly remembered them. There were so many wonderful dreams the children shared - everything from becoming a pop star, to writing children's books, becoming a famous composer to saving stray animals. With the support of their families, there is no doubt these children will eventually attain their dreams.

In much the same way, Pockets of Dreams provides support, respect and nurture to some of the worlds' poorest women and children in developing countries. How do we do this? By partnering to sell their sewn goods for them and allowing them to retain the profits. In this way, women in the Philippines are earning up to 5 times what they could earn for similar work in-country, and mothers in Tanzania are economically fortified. The difference between having this kind of work and not having this kind of work is that women are often forced into selling things of far more value - themselves, for instance - just to feed, clothe and house their families.

Like mom and dad who simply waited for their children to finish their artwork, helping these women isn't difficult or out of our range. It's just purchasing an adorable dress, apron, handbag or outfit and giving these women the dignity and respect they have earned. Visit our online store soon and see how easy it is to make a difference.

Meet Gianna!

Once upon a time there was a little girl by the name of Gianna. Gianna's mother was a mail-order bride from the streets of Manila and came to rural east Texas to marry Gianna's father. The marriage didn't work out so Gianna's mother left. With nowhere else to go, the infant Gianna and her mother went to a women's shelter, which is where Gianna grew up (pictured here with her beloved mother).

After working her way through school, Gianna wanted to help women she could relate to - women like her own mother - living in underserved communities who are at risk for abuse, becoming mail-order brides or prostitutes for lack of other opportunity. She took off for Southeast Asia and "Gianna Fair Trade" was born.

Today you can find Gianna using her immense skills and talents to travel the globe seeking out women artisans and bringing their beautiful products to the global marketplace. Traveling to places such as Laos, India and Thailand, Gianna teaches the women how to grow their businesses, increase their skills and grow in financial literacy. Read about these artists here!

Pockets of Dreams is honored to partner with Gianna at the San Francisco Women's Expo on October 9 & 10. Come see us any time between 10 am - 5 pm. We're located right by Kate Spade, Kirstie Alley and the Rejuvenation Massage Garden!

Small Beginnings ~ Huge Return

When Bob Pierce, founder of World Vision, made his first trip to Asia in 1947, he barely had enough money to get to Hawaii, much less all the way to China. Today, World Vision offers support to over 100 million people in 96 countries. When disaster strikes in nearly any part of the globe, World Vision is often the first organization on the ground to mobilize help. Small beginnings ~ huge return.

When Nathan George started Trade as One in his living room in 2006, he likely could not have imagined that today he would be helping thousands of people who otherwise live on $1.00 a day in places such as India, Africa, China and Guatemala. Small beginnings ~ huge return.

When Pockets of Dreams was founded in 2006 with pocket change (see story here) we could not have imagined we would be able to help women and children in places such as Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Nicaragua and the Philippines within our first four years alone. Small beginnings ~ huge return.

World Vision, Trade as One, Pockets of Dreams...what do we have in common? Genuine care and compassion for others, even those we will never meet, and the absolute certainty that we can make a difference. Will you join us? Take a small beginning by visiting any of our websites ~ and expect a huge return.

Helping Women Help Themselves

Some twenty years ago I read a book entitled "They Cage the Animals at Night", the true story of an abandoned child's struggle for emotional survival told by the now-adult Jennings Michael Burch. Little Jennings was dropped off at an orphanage by his mother who was unable to care for him. "I'll be right back"...she said. The story documents the many men and women that impacted Jenning's life both for good and for bad and will surely light a fire beneath anyone who loves children to be that positive person in their lives.

The title "They Cage the Animals at Night" refers to how the comforting stuffed animals were locked up and made unavailable to the orphans who would have been comforted to sleep by them. I used to think this was one of the most evil things I could imagine - until I read another book entitled "Prayer Warriors: Demon Slayers" by Dawn E. Worswick. Ms. Worswick describes not the stuffed animals that were locked up, but the children themselves as they were abducted by child trafficking gangs for sexual exploitation in cities all over the world, including my own city of San Jose, CA.

My mind is still boggled as I start to learn about this but, while this is new to me, it's tragically not new to the victims of sex trafficking, many of whom are as young as 5 years of age. When I think about this "giant pool of evil" I sense I am barely getting my toes wet as I start to learn about how to help victims and their families regain their lives. One organization devoted to helping to abolish human trafficking is "The SAGE Project" which stands for "Standing Against Global Exploitation Project" and it is founded and staffed by former victims of human trafficking that have now broken free and are helping others.

Poverty is a key "entry point" where evil such as human trafficking begins. Today, Pockets of Dreams provides impoverished women in the Philippines and Tanzania the ability to earn a living wage by sewing beautiful garments, purses and quilts for sale through our 24-hour webstore. This partnership provides a direct connection to their way out of poverty and ability to remain safe from human trafficking. Please stop by today and bless someone you love with an outfit, apron or home decor from Pockets of Dreams. At the same time, know that you are making a difference to women who are working very hard to help themselves, their children and their communities. We are eager to share these fabulous creations with you!

Made by Happiness in Tanzania

Made by "Happiness" in Tanzania. This is not just a play on words. "Happiness" is the name of the woman that creates many of the adorable aprons that Pockets of Dreams sells. Sometimes I wonder why they call her "Happiness". Let me tell you her story and you can decide for yourself.

Happiness lives in Tanzania and has two children of her own. Four years ago she took in two more children, both orphan girls, and raises them as her own. She has opened her home and shares it with a Kids Club leader. Kid's Club is a safe place where street kids, orphans, and neighborhood children can come for a time of singing, playing fun games, Bible lessons, and some food.

If this doesn't keep her busy enough, Happiness is the Director of the Kamala Center, also located in Tanzania. Although her husband left her some time ago due to her faith commitment as a Christian, Happiness is described as a busy woman with a heart of gold. For me, her picture is worth a thousand words and shows a beautiful woman committed to making a better life for herself and her community. I have a feeling she really does make people happier just by being around her.

The aprons, in both adult and child sizes, made by Happiness and the other seamstresses are delightful, unique, whimsical and of high quality. Pockets of Dreams is delighted to be a dedicated support to Hope of the Nations in Tanzania. Visit our website today and purchase a beautiful apron (Coming Soon!) for yourself or someone you love. Just wearing it will make you happy!