Everyone loves the idea of changing the world but not everyone acts upon their ideas and convictions.
This is why we are so compelled by Justin's story.
Starting on July 6, 2011, Justin will be starting a 2,000 mile journey – on his bicycle. He will be cycling from Vancouver, B.C (Canada) all the way down to the Mexico border in order to raise awareness and funds along the way for One Day's Wages Human Trafficking Fund.
Why is Justin doing this?
It's probably best to let him speak for himself:
In the fall of 2007, I had an opportunity to tour the delicacies of Thailand; from its soft sanded beaches to its intricate Buddhist temples. As tranquil and beautiful as Thailand is, there is a darkness that lingers in the nightlife within its cities.
In the tourist alley, known as Walking Street in Pattaya, women are strung out in the bar-fronts to attract any and all tourists; doing whatever it takes to lure them in for a drink. “A 2004 estimate by Dr. Nitet Tinnakul from Chulalongkorn University gives a total of 2.8 million sex workers, including 2 million women, 20,000 adult males and 800,000 minors under the age of 18.” (Prostitution: More Thais selling sex, study finds. The Nation, 3 January 2004.)
After coming back to the U.S., I couldn’t get this vivid glimpse of sex tourism out of my heart. Though four years later, I have chosen to fight for this cause and share the importance of protecting women and children.
Richard Stearns, president of World Vision, though speaking on global poverty, understands this same ideology and puts it succinctly in his book, The Hole In Our Gospel…
“[T]he most significant thing that can be done to cure extreme poverty is this: protect, educate, and nurture girls and women and provide them with equal rights and opportunities – educationally, economically, and socially.”
What are Justin's goals?
As he raises awareness of the grave injustices of human trafficking and slavery, Justin also has a goal of raising $15,000. As in all other donations, ODW will invest 100% of all funds raised (minus credit card fees) towards projects to fight human trafficking.
Visit Justin's Biking for a Cause Campaign!
As of today (June 28), Justin has already raised $5350. You can support him in 3 simple ways:
- Share this page with others. Email it. Tweet it. Post it on Facebook.
- Leave him a note of encouragement in the comments.
- If you're compelled, make a donation to his campaign. Any amount helps.
“The unfortunate reality is that we don’t think about such events, as human and sex trafficking, but simply leave them as mere ideas rather than real issues. Let us not keep these issues so distant, but rather fight, because we are all able…”
Well said, Justin. And thanks for your actions speaking louder than your words.
* How about you? Share your “idea for a cause” campaign with us. Don't just be enamored with ideas…Act upon them. Together, let's make a dramatic impact in the fight against global poverty.
