If you knew...

We all have heard, and some even make jokes, about the products we purchase being made by enslaved children, women and men. I believe as we are given information about this issue we will make changes in how we shop. You don't have to spend hours in research to get this knowledge. Here is some information to get you started and a few links to check out.

As we learn more about the connections between slavery and the products we buy, it becomes difficult (even frustrating) to go shopping for items we need. What is slavery-free and what isn't? And how can you tell?

In the book "Not for Sale: The Return of the Global Slave Trade and How We Can Fight It" David Batstone writes, "Today's slaves are not free to pursue their own destinies. They are coerced to perform work for the personal gain of those who subjugate them. If they try to escape the clutches of their masters, modern slaves risk personal violence or reprisals to their families."

None of us wants to be a part of such a violent, unjust system - even indirectly (i.e. purchasing an item made by a slave). But are there alternatives? Yes!

Just in time for the Christmas shopping season, here's some help:
http://www.sweatfree.org/shoppingguide lists some fantastic companies that are doing their part to make sure slavery and exploitative labor conditions aren't a part of the products they produce.

http://www.laborrights.org/creating-a-sweatfree-world/sweatshops/resources/12211 lists some not-so-fantastic companies that carry one or more products in their stores that are tied to slave labor or poor working conditions. I'd recommend avoiding the problem products and finding alternatives at other stores. Depending on the extent of the problem, you may even want to consider avoiding some of these stores altogether (please read the full report - it's not very long - before deciding).

http://www.dol.gov/ilab/programs/ocft/PDF/2009TVPRA.pdf is a broader report. Part II contains an extensive list of products that are tied to slave labor or child labor in specific countries. For example, artificial flowers that come from China have been tied to slave labor. However, artificial flowers from other countries are not connected to slave labor. Bananas from Belize, Ecuador, Nicaragua, and the Philippines are likely harvested by children under the age of 15. However, there are no indications at this time that bananas from other countries are harvested under exploitative working conditions. I'd recommend printing off pages 29 - 44 and taking them with you when you go shopping. It's a fantastic way to use your purchasing power to avoid items that come from countries where these products are tied to slave labor.

I'm challenging you to do whatever you can to bring a little more justice into your Christmas celebration this year. Maybe it means making sure that a percentage of your purchases are slavery-free. Or you might accept the challenge of having a completely slavery-free Christmas. In either case, please know that your buying decisions carry a lot of weight. The gifts you buy this Christmas cannot only bring joy to the receivers, but also to the men and women who produced them!

Below is information about companies that are actively making life better for the poor and the oppressed by hiring girls who've been rescued from sex slavery, paying their laborers Fair Trade wages, hiring adults who've escaped labor slavery, or who are donating portions of their proceeds to abolitionist organizations.


Free2Work: www.free2work.org
Buy Responsibly: http://buyresponsibly.org/
Chain Store Reaction: http://www.chainstorereaction.com/
ASSET Campaign: http://www.chainstorereaction.com/

Clothing and Accessories
Freedom Store: www.notforsalecampaign.org
Cross Cultural Connections: http://www.crossculturalconnections.org/catalog/
Paper to Pearls: http://www.papertopearls.org/
Better Way Imports: http://www.betterwayimports.com/
Freeset Bags: http://www.freesetglobal.com/
Punjammies: http://www.punjammies.com/
Nightlight Jewelry: http://www.nightlightinternational.com/store/
Toms Shoes: www.tomsshoes.com
Abba House: www.abbahousefoundation.org
Invisible Children: http://store.invisiblechildren.com/
The Love Alliance: http://www.thelovealliance.storenvy.com/
We are Overlooked: www.weareoverlooked.com
Love146: http://skreened.com/love146
DCZ Beads and Designs: http://www.dczbeads.com/shop-3.html?vmcchk=1
Global Girlfriend: http://globalgirlfriend.com
Juxtaposie: www.juxtaposie.com
Pendant Star: http://pendantstar.com/
Butterfly Mama: http://www.butterflymama.com
Heaven’s Attic: http://www.heavensattic.co.uk/shop/jewellery/
The Hunger Site: http://shop.thehungersite.com/store
Global Goods Partners: http://www.globalgoodspartners.org
Autonomie Project: http://www.autonomieproject.com/
Pants to Poverty: http://www.pantstopoverty.com/
Green Heart: http://www.greenheartshop.org/
World of Good: http://worldofgood.ebay.com/

Bath and Body
Peace Keeper Cause-Metics: http://www.iamapeacekeeper.com/
Thistle Farms: http://www.thistlefarms.org/

Home and Play
Ten Thousand Villages: http://www.tenthousandvillages.com
Rugmark: www.rugmark.org
Made by Survivors: http://store.madebysurvivors.com/
Global Exchange: http://www.globalexchangestore.org
Fair Deal Trading: http://www.fairdealtrading.com/
Pillow Dreams Project: http://www.pillowdreamsproject.com/
Trade As One: https://tradeasone.com/shop/
Fair Trade Sports: http://retail.fairtradesports.amazonwebstore.com/
Good Weave: www.goodweave.org
Ethical Superstore: http://www.ethicalsuperstore.com/

Food
Mai Thai Coffee: http://maithaicoffee.com/
Divine Chocolate: http://www.divinechocolateusa.com/
Equal Exchange: http://www.equalexchange.coop/
Alter Eco Fair Trade: http://www.altereco-usa.com
TransFair USA: http://www.transfairusa.org/
Fairtrade Labeling: http://www.fairtrade.net
Pristine Planet: http://www.pristineplanet.com

pictures

Here are some family pictures done by Loree Alayne Photography :)

fall pictures and story telling

Well, in a previous post I told you that Spencer has figured out lying is an easy way out of a lecture. He has gotten more creative. Now, we really can't tell when he's lying except for some of the story plots are a little hard to believe :)
Spencer had a big scratch on his face. I asked him what happened and he said the big, wild cat out back got him. (There is a big, wild cat that lives behind us in the vacant house). As the story progressed, the big 'purple' cat scratched Spencer because he wanted our candy.
The second story involves Zayd Vestal's tooth. Zayd came to our house after school and had lost his first tooth. Zayd left his precious first tooth on our table and then it disappeared. Zayd looked high and low because he had planned to save all his teeth and then turn them in for a large sum of money. After Zayd left Spencer said he swallowed Zayd's tooth. I wasn't sure if I believed him. But Spencer was sure, because the tooth opened his mouth and jumped right in. Well, this folk legend of the tooth has made it's way around Zayd and Maegan's first grade class. Perhaps I need to write a children's book about all these stories!

(CNN) -- Law enforcement authorities have recovered 52 children and arrested 60 pimps allegedly involved in child prostitution, the FBI announced Monday.

More than 690 people in all were arrested on state and local charges, the FBI stated.

The arrests were made over the past three days as part of a nationwide law enforcement initiative conducted on the federal, state and local levels, the bureau said.

"Child prostitution continues to be a significant problem in our country, as evidenced by the number of children rescued through the continued efforts of our crimes against children task forces," Kevin Perkins, assistant director of the FBI's Criminal Investigative Division, said in a written statement.

Don’t think there’s a global problem in your backyard? Think again. It is estimated that 2 children are sold every minute into the sex trade, and it happens right here in the Midwest.


Find out more about this problem and how you can help on November 7. Common Ground Christian Church will once again be hosting “Purchased,” a unique awareness and educational event concerning sex trafficking.


The evening will feature Ten Shekel Shirt with Stasia Demos opening. The event is largely to support Love146, a non-profit committed to abolishing child sex slavery and exploitation (www.love146.org). Local non-profits and organizations supporting the cause will be also represented, including the Julian Center and more. Childcare is available if you register for it here by October 24.


So join us November 7 at 7 p.m. at Common Ground Christian Church, located at 4550 N. Illinois Street, Indianapolis, IN and find out how you can participate in the effort to protect, defend, restore, and empower lives.

basement vacation

So, Doug told me I need to get the flu shot. He said that if I get the flu, Graham would definitely get it. I asked why he didn't need one. Well, he said, if he gets the flu he can retreat to the basement for a week to recover and make sure the kids don't get sick. I replied, desperately, "No! I want to go to the basement for a week!" Then I realized how ridiculous it was that I was basically jealous that he was going to get the flu and get to rest and recover in a separate part of the house.

pet blessings

I find myself thinking in blog entries. As something happens I'm writing the blog in my head, but then I don't get around to posting it. Now, I have several random blog thoughts but don't know which one to write. A couple of thoughts are a little dark, and some are funny kid stories.
Here is one that might offend. Pet blessings?! Seriously!? I've seen four churches advertising pet blessing ceremonies. What! There must be some kind of holiday for it because everyone is doing now. No really someone tell me what this is all about.
I don't like to confess that I'm not a pet lover. I don't want animals in my house...too much cleaning, plus I'm allergic. I do like cats (except for the couple that have bitten me). Dogs scare me because I don't know what they are thinking. I don't like to be licked or smelled.
I do like giving dogs exercise. I like taking my sister's dog Tessa on walks and watching her frollick in the creek. And Cleanne, if you are reading this, I like watching Zeus to make sure he is not lonely. But, it's always mixed with fear because, again, I'm not sure what he is thinking and he gets all crazy when I try to leave your house (probably a sign of affection?) So, in that case I have Doug do the handling and I make sure he is feed and walked :)
Well, I guess I needed to confess this...whew...I feel better!

the new shake down

Spencer used to be a truth teller. It served him well because he would confess and it would result in a small lecture and a gentle shake of the finger. He is pretty easy to correct on the whole. However, I think he got tired of our little lectures and decided lying saves time. He has also become handy at using scissors. Now that he has started preschool he practices his scissors skills in advanced ways. Read, he is cutting things he shouldn't. Spencer cut the strap to Doug's new hiking poles. We asked Spencer if he did it and he said, "Oh, that must have been Maegan." Doug had to leave the room because he started to laugh at the serious look on Spencer's face. We continued to ask if he was guilty and he continued to evade the truth. Finally Doug remembered a trick he saw on the "Mentalist." Doug said to Spencer, "Raise your hand if you cut my hiking pole." Spencer threw up his hand without thought and didn't even realize he confessed. Doug and I were thrilled at this new shake down trick. We used it on the kids last night to see who threw their dinner in the trash. Once again, Spencer's hand confessed. Awesome!

(Here are a few pictures of our trip to Cinncy with the Kueblers, Spencer's first day of preschool, and a recent pic of Graham who is cuter each day!)



Kari-2 months pregnant, Carol-2 months post pregnant :)