LOVE146

Pretty much during the summertime our TV is constantly turned off. There is one show I've been trying to catch off and on though - for a very good reason. It's called "I'm a celebrity, get me out of here" and it's on NBC.
The main reason I've tried to follow the show is because the contests are playing to raise money for different causes and charities. I found out that Stephen Baldwin (not my favorite person ever) is playing for my favorite cause ever, so I'm really pulling him for him to win and for the first time ever have called in to cast my vote for a reality TV show.
Stephen is playing for LOVE146 - in my opinion one of the most important social justice campaigns out there. LOVE146 is an organization that is trying to abolish child sex slavery and rescues victims by sending them to safehouses for restoration. This cause is so near and dear to my heart - it's astounding to me that small children are being kidnapped and raped over and over again every day, unable to enjoy the innocence of childhood. These children are either kidnapped or sold into slavery by their parents or relatives. LOVE146 not only helps raise money to rescue these children but helps raise money to prevent them being forced into slavery. Recently one of their projects for prevention was to build a water filtration system in the jungles of Cambodia. Many of the children had to walk deep into the jungle to get clean water and were kidnapped on their journey. LOVE146 helped provide assistance so that the children could get water right there in their village without the fear of being kidnapped. Steve and I financially support this organization, and so does our church.
Just look at some of the facts that I read on their website:
- It is estimated that 2 children are sold into sexual slavery every minute
- The United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF) now believes that the number of children trafficked annually is around 1.2 million.
- The UN and other experts estimate the total market value of illicit human trafficking at roughly $32 Billion. This makes trafficking of persons the 2nd most lucrative crime in the world.
- It is estimated that at least 27 million people are currently enslaved around the world. This is more than double the number of Africans enslaved during the Trans-Atlantic slave trade.

It makes me so sick to my stomach to think of young children - many as young as just 2 years old being locked in a dark basement and raped repeatedly ever day. Many of them haven't actually seen daylight or sunshine in years. This is such a tragedy and I wish there was more that I could do to help. LOVE146 is a very reputable organization and regardless of if I think Stephen Baldwin is a little odd or not, I am so excited that he's making the organization known through some crazy reality tv show. I hope he wins and is able to raise a lot of money for a very good cause.

All of that to say, if anyone is ever looking for a good cause to support, I hope you will consider LOVE146. Check out their website, watch some of their videos - I promise you will be moved.