RIJI Green

6 More Rock Climbs To Go!

2010-09-16T17:05:00.000-07:00

Woo Hoo! 21 out of 27 rock climbs are done!!!!

Last Saturday, I had a great time climbing at Carter Rock, MD- alright, I'm exaggerating. The first climb is always my worst and hardest climb- because to tell you the truth, it takes time for me to warm up on the rock and I'm afraid of heights. Yes, I'm afraid of heights, but I rock climb and go on roller coaster rides to face and deal with my fear. When the thrill is over and my feet are on the ground, I take a very deep breath and I am grateful to have the freedom and privilege to have fun because there are 27 million slaves around world abused and oppressed for profit.

Isn't that amazing that some of us can enjoy life, have freedom and fun and at the same time, there are children, women, men, families suffering everyday from oppression, injustice, and fear. It is such a privilege that we, Americans have a voice to speak up for the voiceless, fatherless... and how often do we use our voice, our privilege to speak up for the ones who cannot speak for themselves and defend the rights of the oppressed?

My 21 climbs represent, September 21, 2010. On that day, the Child Protection Compact Act (CPCA) Senate Bill 3184 will be placed on the agenda for the Senate Foreign Relations Committee meeting. The CPCA will provide assistance to select "focus countries" through the US Department of State's Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons. These focus countries will receive support in building a functional public justice systems investigating crimes against children and prosecute perpetrators.

This bill is in a very crucial phrase because if Congress does not make the CPCA a priority and pass it into law before adjourning in October for mid-term elections, THE BILL WILL DIE!!!!

International Justice Mission (IJM) is having a National Call in Day for everyone on Monday, September 20, 2010 to call your senators and ask them to support the legislation-Child Protection Compact Act (CPCA) Senate Bill 3184 .

Its very easy. It takes less than 2 minutes of your time to call your senator to support the bill!

IJM has less than 2 minute video to show you how to do it.

IJM has a script for you. http://www.ijm.org/nationalcallinday

IJM will give you a free puppy for doing this - ok, just kidding on that.

You can find your senator's number at www.senator.gov

or check out a cheat sheet for you.....

MARYLAND:

· Senator Barbara Mikulski: (202) 224-4654

· *Senator Ben Cardin: (202) 224-4524

*Already a co-sponsor, so call and thank him!

VIRGINIA:

· Senator Jim Webb: (202) 224-4024

· Senator Mark Warner: (202) 224-2023

TENNESSEE:

· Senator Alexander Lamar: (202) 224-4944

· Senator Bob Corker: (2020224-3344

NEW JERSEY:

· Senator Frank Lautenberg: (202) 224-3224

· *Senator Robert Menendez: (202) 224-4744

*Already a co-sponsor, so call and thank him!

PENNSYLVANIA:

· Senator Robert Casey (202)224-6324

· Senator Arlen Specter (202) 224-4254

NORTH CAROLINA:

· *Senator Richard Burr: (202) 224-3154

· Senator Kay Hagan: (202)224-6342

*Already a co-sponsor, so call and thank him!

IJM has been working really hard on the CPCA from the very beginning when the bill was first introduced. I had the privilege to join their Advocacy Day in April 2010 with 125 individuals from 35 states and met with 130 congressional offices. IJM is serious about ending human trafficking in our life time and so is DC Stop Modern Slavery (SMS) and countless other groups.

Speaking of DCSMS, RIJI Green is looking for walkers to join our team. On October 23, 2010, DCSMS is having a walk to raise awareness about human trafficking. To join RIJI Green's team, you have to Register to Walk, click "Join a Team," select "RIJI Green" and continue on with your registration! Leave your footprint on the new abolition movement!

I was able to have short videos done from my climb, but I was not able to load them up. Sorry about that. Here are pictures of the rocks I climbed!

Climbing Juliet's Balcony on a Sprain Ankle

2010-09-06T11:08:00.000-07:00

So far 18 climbs out of 27 are done! Five climbs were accomplished on Juliet's Balcony at Great Falls National Park in Virginia! I climbed three routes on top of the balcony and two below. Most of the climbs were crack climbing.

When I'm on top of the balcony, my husband, Sam can't see me and I need to let him know when I start climbing- basic climbing rules. Well... I made a mistake of climbing without telling him (not on purpose). I was climbing and then I fell from the mountain. I tried to land on my feet, but I ended up landing and rolling on my left ankle. My scream echoed on the mountain.

It was painful and the first thing that came to my mind was "God please heal my ankle and let it not be broken." I would hate to climb down the mountain with a broken ankle and then hike up on jagged rock clearing to get to the hiking path and hike back to the car.

I sat there for about ten minutes massaging, moving and praying over my ankle. Finally, I was able to stand on the my two feet, didn't feel much pain and told Sam, I'm going to climb again. He said ok. This time, I followed climbing rules. I said, "Climbing." Sam tighten the rope and said, "climb on."

I climbed three more routes after the incident and the last crack climb was extremely difficult. I attempted it several times and wanted to give up. If it wasn't for Sam's encouragement and believing that I could make it to the top, I wouldn't have finished it.

Towards the afternoon the mountain was starting to get hot to touch and climb, so we headed back home after Sam climbed a few routes.

It was a very successful climbing day, my body was SORE, open blisters on my hands (the biggest one was the size of a dime), and I'm alive and fine :)

My husband and I were trying to figure out why we have so many blisters on our hands and we concluded it was because the mountain was hot during the last part of our climbs.

At home, I noticed my left ankle was much bigger than my right one. It turns out I climbed three routes on a sprain ankle without realizing it. Sam made a delicious dinner and gave me a foot massage.

My son, Ox had fun with my ankle.

I am very grateful for

God healing my ankle and not being seriously hurt
My husband's encouragement and believing in my climbing abilities
Sam's love- making a fantastic dinner and foot massage
Ox- for making me laugh
I will be able to rock climb next week

18 climbs have been accomplished so far and the human trafficking fact for 18 is an estimate of 18,000-20,000 foreign nationals are trafficked into the US each year for labor and sexual exploitation.

Source: Trafficking In Person (TIP) report in 2003

Leave your foot print in the new abolition movement and please sign up to be a Team Captain and recruit walkers for DC Stop Modern Slavery Walk on Oct 23, 2010 at the National Mall! The Team Captain who has the most walkers in September wins a 8GB iPod Touch! For more details go to walk.stopmodernslavery.org

DC Stop Modern Slavery's walk

2010-07-20T08:23:00.000-07:00

July has been a disappointing rock climbing month because of the weather (its extremely hot or its raining) and summer travels. I can't wait to go climbing again. I think the first thing I will do at the base of the mountain is to hug the enormous rock :)

But I do have updates about DC Stop Modern Slavery's walk.

The date has been change to October 23 at the National Mall. The original date was on Yom Kippur so DCSMS decided to change it.
Registering for the event! http://walk.StopModernSlavery.org

You can also help RIJI Green with our fundraiser for DCSMS by purchasing "Act Justly" messenger bags. Each bag sold a $1 will be donated to DCSMS! This offer ends soon! Shop and Give

Tell your friends and family about DC Stop Modern Slavery's walk and RIJI Green's fundraising campaign! We appreciate your support!

Black Bears in Shenandoah National Park

2010-06-13T13:56:00.000-07:00

On Friday night, my husband, Sam and I decided to take the family camping and rock climbing the next morning. When we entered the campgrounds this was the sign that welcomed us...

The kids started to freak out and realized that we weren't kidding about entering black bear territory. Sam told them our dog, Boulder will protect us. My youngest, Tovi said," I'll hit it with a stick!" Sam and I started to unload the car and set up our tent. The kids went looking for sticks to defend us in case of a bear attack.

Within five minutes, two deer came by to our camp ground to see what was going on. I was very impressed that Boulder did not bark or try to chase after the deer. I was starting to wonder how soon it will be before we see a black bear.

Well, with my luck, that night, a black bear might have paid us a visit, because Boulder who normally doesn't bark, started barking and growling in the middle of the night. Boulder was in the family tent with us and Sam could hear a four legged creature walk by our camping area. He believes it was a bear and not a deer. We just kept quiet because frankly, the kids and I were fast asleep and my husband was the only one awake.

My alarm (aka kids) went off at 6:30am. There was no signs of bear damage and I was grateful for that. We ate our warm oatmeal breakfast, packed up and went to Mt. Marshall.

My goal was to climb three routes and I ended up climbing four because my husband saw an overhang climb that I couldn't resist. The view on top was beautiful.

Thirteen climbs accomplished and I'm almost half way to my goal!

Human Trafficking Fact:

The average entry age for prostitution is 12-14

The Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico

Estes, Richard J. and Neil A. Weiner. The University of Pennsylvania School of Social Work: 2001.

For the month of June RIJI Green is having a special fundraising for DC Stop Modern Slavery's walk. For every "Act Justly" messenger bag you buy we will donate $1 towards DCSMS' walk!

Shop & Give

1/3 of the Climb Accomplished!

2010-06-12T13:06:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago, I went to climb a different area in Carter Rock, MD. My first climb was successful and move on to a different climb and could not finish the last quarter of the climb no matter how many times I tried. My husband, Sam a much better climber than me attempted it a few times and was not able to climb it either. The way he described it was "The rock is smoother than a baby's skin."

The last quarter section of the climb was extremely slippery and the worst part was there were very few foot holds which required a lot of upper body muscles (I did not have). After this climb, I decided I need to work on my upper body muscles and suffer the consequences of having my abdomen muscles hurt every time I laugh :)

The happy ending to this is "I'M 1/3 DONE!" 9 climbs have been accomplish out of 27.

9 represents the 94 victims of bonded slave labors of men, women and children rescued on May 2010 by International Justice Mission (IJM) in Chennai, India. Now these survivors has freedom certificates and living free from violence and oppression!

RIJI Green is a proud supporter of IJM's work. Keep up the great work IJM!

I believe IJM will have a table at the DC Stop Modern Slavery walk. Join the walk on September 18, 2010 and educate yourself with the numerous anti-trafficking organizations at the event.

Copper Head Snake at Great Falls, VA

2010-05-25T10:37:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, I took the family to Great Falls, VA and climbed 3 routes on Romeo's Ladder. At the entrance to the hiking trail, I logged in the "Climber Log."

The kids and Boulder (dog) did a great job hiking through the rock clearing to get to the rock climbing spot.

My husband, Sam did an awesome job anchoring the rope and we spend the afternoon taking turns climbing on Romeo's Ladder!

Here is a view where we were climbing.

As of this week, 8 climbs were accomplished. Eight represents the 8.4 million children trapped in slavery (International Labor Organization).

Last year DC Stop Modern Slavery walk attracted more than 700 participants, spread the word to make this year event much bigger than last year.

We saw a copper head snake off the hiking trail when we were heading back to our car. I love being out in nature!

22 MORE Rock Climbing Routes to go!

2010-05-19T19:07:00.000-07:00

Last Friday, I rock climbed 2 routes at New River Gorge, West Virginia. I went out there for a rock climbing festival. I was really hoping to rock climb at least 8 routes during the entire weekend, but due to hiking the wrong routes, areas not safe enough for my kids to hike through (aka cliffs), and making it to a family member's birthday party- I was only able to rock climb on Friday.

The last climb on Friday was tough. Half way up the mountain, I found the only way up was to climb a WET crack. I have to make a fist in the crack to hold myself or pull myself up the mountain. I fell a few times due to lack of foot holds and slipping in the cracks. The injuries were extremely minor- a small skin section of my thumb got scrapped off.

Now, I have a total of 5 climbs accomplished. 5 represents children as young as five-years-old are trafficked and forced into the commercial sex trade. If you live in the DC area, please come out to the DC Stop Modern Slavery walk on September 18, 2010. It will be the largest human trafficking awareness event in DC. For more information go to www.stopmodernslavery.org

Although, I was not able to climb 8 routes during the weekend, I had a great time camping, hiking, and rock climbing with my family. My kids had a great time "fishing" every time we passed by a stream.

Rock climbing 27 Routes for 27 Million SLAVES around the world

2010-05-11T17:42:00.000-07:00

For Mother's Day this year, I had the opportunity to sleep in until 8:30am, not have to cook and to go rock climbing at Carderock, Maryland. It was the best Mother's Day for me! I climbed three routes and it was a great warm up for the rest of my summer rock climbing goals and adventures. This summer I will rock climb on Saturdays until I reach my goal of 27 climbs to bring awareness of the 27 million slaves around the world and the DC Stop Modern Slavery walk on Sept 18, 2010.

Each climb represents different facts about modern slavery. My first 2 climbs on Sunday represents 2 million children in the commercial sex trade worldwide (according to UNICEF).

Stay tune for more adventures and human trafficking facts.

Voice for the Voiceless

2010-04-28T17:14:00.000-07:00

This month I had the privilege to participate in International Justice Mission's Advocacy Day where 125 individuals from 35 states met with 130 Congressional offices to build support for The Child Protection Compact Act (CPCA). The CPCA legislation aims to stop child labor and sex trafficking in target countries that have shown commitment in addressing the problem but lack adequate resources. According to UNICEF, there are almost two million children in the commercial sex trade worldwide and, accordingto the U.S. Department of State, 80% of human trafficking victims are women and girls, as many as 50% are minors.

Since I live in Virginia, I went to three representatives of Virginia with other Virginians. We spoke with the legislative aides of Congressman Tom Perriello, Congressman Frank Wolf (my representative), and Senator Mark Warner. We expressed our sincere gratitude to Congressman Perriello and Congressman Wolf for co-sponsoring and supporting the CPCA. We also encouraged them to ask other Member of Congress to co-sponsor CPCA and co-sign a letter to Secretary Clinton to support policies within the legislation such as increase funding State Department Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (TIP Office). We also asked both Congressmen to join the Anti- Trafficking Caucus so they can be aware of human trafficking issues happening in their State or in the U.S.

Senator Mark Warner has not co-sponsor the CPCA yet, so we ask for his support and explained to his legislative aide the problem and how CPCA is a solution to the problem. We also asked for Senator Warner to support section 308 of The Customs Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act, S 1631. Section 308 creates additional capacity for an existing law which prohibits importing goods made with forced or indentured labor or by benefit of human trafficking. In English, it means the U.S will deny imports from repeat violators of slave made goods.

We spend about 20 - 40 minutes with each representative's legislative aid and spoke up for 27 million voiceless and vulnerable men, women, children, and families around the world. You don't have to be an expert about human trafficking or any issue to speak up. A good ABC rule to meet with your representative are

Accurate- Provide information that is true. No exaggeration and please don't make things up. If you don't know something, say, "I don't know, but I can find out the information for you when I follow up with you."

Brief- Members and their staff are very busy and so are you. Choose your facts and stories carefully. Practice, Practice and Practice your presentation!

Courteous- Successful advocacy involves building long term relationships with policy makers. You are part of a long term effort in building a strong U.S support and commitment to have functional justice systems that protects the poor and vulnerable. Be respectful- You are building a relationship and stepping stone to end modern slavery.

I followed up with my representative legislative aid and she informed me Congressman Wolf is a member of Anti- Trafficking Caucus. (Thank you again Congressman Wolf for everything you are doing to eradicate human trafficking!)

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I believe we can end slavery in our lifetime and be history makers. We can turn this imagination of a slave free world to become a reality by the way we shop, speaking up about this issue to our representatives, raising awareness, starting a movement....

How can you end modern-day slavery?

*Some of the materials from this Blog was from IJM

Posted by Anna Leung

RIJI Green's holiday campaign sale- Freeing Families from Slavery

2009-11-15T19:25:00.000-08:00

RIJI Green is having a holiday campaign for International Justice Mission (IJM). IJM is a non-profit organization combating modern-day slavery by prosecuting the perpetrators, providing aftercare for victims, and promoting functional justice systems. RIJI Green's holiday campaign goal is to raise $45,000 to fund IJM's 10 rescue operations freeing families from slavery. Its 21st century and slavery still exist victimizing men, women, children, and families.

How are families enslaved? When a family member such as a father, the head of the household gets sick and has no money to pay for a doctor, they would go to a loan shark. The family would ask for a small loan, which equates to $20.00US so the father could see the doctor. The family would sign a document promising they will repay the debt by working for the loan shark, but what they don't know from being illiterate is the interests and fees are so high, they could never repay their debt. Therefore generations of family members from grandmothers to granddaughters are enslaved. This is common in places like India, Pakistan, and others. In America, when we have debt, our credit scores goes down, but our livelihoods and freedom are not at risk.

In the spirit of justice and holiday giving, RIJI Green is starting our holiday campaign by donating 50% of our profits to IJM from now till November 22, 2009. RIJI Green will give 15% of our profits to IJM till the end of the year.

Will you please join RIJI Green's campaign to free families from slavery in 2010. Your purchase will have an echoing effect in creating a slave free tomorrow. At one point in America, one out of every eight Americans was a slave. History has shown we can overcome slavery. Will you join the movement to end 21st century slavery and make history? Shop and Empower survivors of human trafficking at www.RIJIgreen.com

The Hope of Healing and Restoration through Economic Empowerment

2009-11-08T19:11:00.000-08:00

I met Victor Joseph, the president of Agape International Ministries at The Protection Project symposium. At the event, Dr. Joseph shared his research on human trafficking in India and the possibilities of survivors' lives restore. I invited him to be our guest blog to share his findings with you. I hope you will find his work insightful and encouraging. Enjoy.

"For many years, I have agonized over the human rights violations and suffering of young victims of sexual trafficking in India. Women and children are often victimized through corruption, abuse, and torture, making them the most neglected and vulnerable individuals in Indian society. At a young age, instead of playing with their peers, they are forced into sexual slavery and must experience severe brutality.

Vulnerability from economic desperation leads young girls into human trafficking. Girls are sold into brothels as early as the age of eight, with most of them coming from poor families. Traffickers approach their family and offer financial assistance to help get them out of debt. Parents are told by these abductors that their daughters are going to a rich family as housemaids or to the city to work in factories.

Trafficking of persons is a crime against humanity because each and every person deserves the opportunity to live with dignity and with a sense of self-worth. When that dignity is stolen, we must do more than protest – we must prevent that dignity from being stolen from others in the future. Self-worth and independence cannot be achieved if there is no serious attention given to economic self-sufficiency. Hope comes from a sense of self-worth and liberty. These victims need to experience freedom in their lives—freedom to be economically empowered, self-determined, and self-expressive in order to receive forgiveness and embrace the future-mindedness in their lives. During my research, I found that victims desire to stand on their own feet through financial independence. It is a part of regaining their lost self-worth, self-esteem, dignity, hope, and future mindedness. Many of these girls would say, “You can conquer my body, but you cannot conquer my mind.” Agape International Ministries is determined to help these girls regain what is stolen from their lives.

For more information on human trafficking in India, you can read my research publication, which is now available at www.agapeim.org. Please help AIM financially so that we can help rebuild the lives of these innocent girls whose lives are completely shattered and stolen at a very young age. You may make a tax-deductible contribution payable to Agape International Ministries, P.O. Box 221, Valley Forge, PA 19481-0221."

I hope you will read Dr. Joseph's excellent research publication and consider supporting Agape International Ministries. I hope you will also join RIJI Green to restore survivors' lives through economic empowerment. Please consider shopping and empowering survivors of human trafficking at www.RIJIgreen.com

RIJI Green Beginnings

2009-08-16T16:36:00.000-07:00

RIJI Green was formed in response to the world's third largest crime - human trafficking / modern-day slavery. The concept of RIJI Green is 5 Ps.

PREVENT slavery through economic empowerment.

PROTECT survivors' dignity and help them

PROSPER with integrity.

PARTNERSHIPS to eradicate slavery

PROFESSIONAL sale representation for survivors' products.

Some people are trafficked due to poverty because of the lack of economic opportunities. RIJI Green is a solution to that problem, however due to the economy, sales are extremely low. Without sales, there is no work for these women, which puts them in danger of not being able to support themselves or their family. These women don't want donations, they want to work.

RIJI Green's logo is an olive branch a symbol of hope. It is also symbolic for growth and prosperity, which is what the survivors will experience in various areas of their lives. We hope you can be a part of this movement to eradicate slavery by purchasing RIJI Green's products to give human trafficking survivors a dignify life and future. Shop RIJI Green and give survivors a chance to succeed in life.