I am going to start spotlighting charities here on the Post the Love blog and the first one is an amazing organization called Love 146...
"Love is in our name, because it is our motivating drive to end child sex slavery and exploitation. We believe love to be the foundation of real, sustainable change. Martin Luther King Jr. said, "Justice at its best is love correcting everything that stands against love." We hold that to be true. Love Protects. Love Defends. Love Restores. Love Empowers. We are Love146."
Believe it or not, 2 children are sold every minute into human trafficking rings all around the world (including the US) and the "industry" generates $32 Billion annually, making it the 2nd most lucrative crime in the world.
In 2002, the co-founders of the organization Love 146 travelled to South East Asia on an exploratory trip to determine how they could serve in the fight against child trafficking.
In one experience, a couple of the co-founders were taken undercover with investigators to a brothel, where they witnessed children being sold. This is where a nameless little girl pinned with the number 146 forever changed their lives. ..
Love146 History from LOVE146 on Vimeo.
As an organization, they realize that in order to end child slavery and exploitation, prevention work and aftercare/rehabiliation are essential. They are continually examining the most effective and diversified ways to prevent children from becoming victims of human trafficking, and through their revolutionary Round Home concept, they rehabilitate children that have been rescued.
The Round Home is a safehome for survivors of child slavery and exploitation. You can CLICK HERE to learn more about Love 146's philosophy of aftercare and their philosophy behind the design of their Round Home, which has resulted in an unprecedented 100% success rate.
Finally, I want to share Diana's beautiful love story. Thanks to her strength and Love 146, she's a survivor of child exploitation. She came to Love 146's Round Home and found a new life, and she has since moved back into her community and enrolled in school.
This is her inspirational story in her our words...
Diana's Love Story from LOVE146 on Vimeo.
They took on the number 146 so they would remember why this all started and so they can tell the story of the victim who wore it, especially since she can't. It's a number that was pinned to one girl, but represents the millions enslaved. They wear her number with honor, with sorrow, and with a growing hope. Because of their work, her story can be a different one for so many more.
When I met with Love 146, I was inspired by their efforts, and Post the Love is proud to support their cause and help bring awareness to this growing problem that affects young children in the US and all over the world.
To learn more about a cause that's truly changing lives, head on over to Love146.org and make sure you share the love by spreading the word about their work.