News


Futures ‘09 Cycling Challenge: A Call for Donations

February 3, 2009

Over the past few months, 25 dedicated individuals have come together in order to help fight human trafficking. Organized by Stephanie Lorenzo, the Futures ‘09 Cycling challenge is a nearly 500 kilometer tour through Cambodia, designed to raise awareness and money for Somaly Mam’s cause. In just under a month, these 25 people from around the world will embark on their two-week journal through the streets and countryside of Cambodia. We’ll be riding to help the millions of innocent children who are forced into sexual slavery every year. Each rider has pledged to raise between $3,400-$4,300 for the Somaly Mam Foundation. Almost all of these sponsor donations come from friends, family, and those concerned about the global human trafficking problem. With less than a month to go, we’ve raised $47,925 total, which is a little less than halfway to the cumulative goal. I was so excited to hear about this cycling challenge, I decided to get out from behind my computer, and become one of the first commited riders (you can view my profile here).

The ride is an amazing opportunity to make a difference, but we still need your help to ensure that every rider meets his or her sponsorship goal. Visit the Futures ‘09 page here, and click on the names of each rider to the left of the page. You can view each rider’s profile, complete with their story and pledge to help fight human trafficking. Each rider’s profile has a link that you can follow to place a donation to sponsor them, for any amount. Every little bit counts. Thanks.

Greg Opperman

Somaly Mam Foundation

Filed under: News — greg @ 10:36 pm



New York Times Video: The Face of Slavery

February 2, 2009

In this video by the New York Times, Nicholas D. Kristof visits Cambodia and meets Long Pross, a young woman who was forced into sexual slavery. Nicholas talks to Long about her harrowing experience in the brothels, and then visits what’s left of a brother that has been closed down. Long also discusses her rehabilitation with Somaly Mam, and her dreams for the future. You can view the 5-minute video here:

http://video.nytimes.com/video/2009/01/03/opinion/1194837193498/the-face-of-slavery.html

Filed under: Media, New York Times, News — greg @ 6:53 pm