On January 11, 2018, National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, American Airlines officially partnered with ECPAT-USA, a non profit policy group determined to eliminate human trafficking within industries, by signing the Tourism Child Protection Code of Conduct.

Through this signing, American Airlines agrees to these 6 tenents:

1. Establish a policy and procedures against sexual exploitation of children.
2. Train employees in children's rights, the prevention of sexual exploitation and how to report suspected cases.
   
3. Include a clause in contracts throughout the value chain stating a common repudiation and zero tolerance policy of sexual exploitation of children.
4. Provide information to travelers on children's rights, the prevention of sexual exploitation of children and how to report suspected cases.
5. Support, collaborate and engage stakeholders in the prevention of sexual exploitation of children.
6. Report annually on their implementation of Code related activities.

This is powerful! 

During travel is when the trafficked and trafficker are most visible and vulnerable.  If acknowledged, they can be easily separated.  They are in public and in unfamiliar territory, sometimes taking the traffickers off guard.   Airports are a huge hub for trafficking.   Last year 2,000 suspected human traffickers were arrested and 400 victims were identified.  With greater awareness through training and awareness these identifications will increase, showing promise in helping to curb the atrocity of human trafficking and the transport of people against their will.  

I'm so thankful to hear of airlines participating in these policies.  Delta has been involved in the fight against human trafficking since 2011, not only by raising awareness for their employees and passengers, but by providing donated essentials to human trafficking survivors and flyer miles to get them back home.  

Learn more about ECPAT (End Child Prostitution and Trafficking) here.

Did you know there are men's punjammies™ out there?!?  So exciting!

Something people most requested when we had our store were things for men.  Fair trade products for men are simply lacking.  Sudara, however, is changing this with their awesome punjammies™ for men!  

Quick info....

• Made from 100% brushed cotton, which is a light flannel.
• Side pockets.
  
• Elasticized waist.
• The purchase of each of these continues to provide dignified employment for women in India who have escaped the lives of forced prostitution.

We have a plethora of old cell phones laying around our house - flip phones, pull out texting phones, a blackberry, I think.  I keep them mostly because I haven't known how to erase the data  to recycle them safely.  Anyone know how to do this?

I recently learned of a program that allows you to donate your cell phone and accessories (batteries, cords and chargers) to help survivors and victims of domestic violence in the United States.  Verizon's HopeLine program donates cell phones with 3,000 minutes to domestic violence helping organizations across the United States to provide a lifeline for victims and survivors to the outside world.  With these phones, the individual is able to stay connected to family members, law enforcement, employers and others beyond the control of their abuser. 

The HopeLine program also refurbishes and sells phones to provide cash grants to domestic violence organizations to help further their missions of helping and preventing. 

Since the inception of the HopeLine program, Verizon has collected 9 million phones, provided $14 million in cash grants and donated over 123,000 phones to domestic violence victims and survivors. 

While this is an initiative by Verizon, they accept donated phones from any provider.  The only thing they won't accept is a swollen, rancid phone, which I doubt anyone has laying around their house anyway.  Any phone that can't be used to further this program is responsibly discarded. 

Here's how to donated your used cell phone with purpose:

• Erase the data from your phone.
• Remove all storage and SIM cards.
• Place your donation, along with the accessories you wish to donate in a plastic bag.
• Drop your phone off to a Verizon Wireless store HopeLine donation bin (found in all Verizon Wireless stores). 
• OR pack up your phone and accessories in a secure mailing envelope, request a prepaid postage label and send it out. 

Want more details?  Here's the link to the HopeLine program to find out more.