About Me

I went on a journey throughout India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Cambodia and Thailand observing organizations that are working specifically with marginalized women and children who have been or are at-risk of being trafficked as sex workers or bonded laborers. While this blog is expository, its intent is to create awareness as well as provide real-life examples of solutions! Hence, the name of the blog. Beauty is lost in these dark places. Yet, there are people hard at work redeeming human lives. Many programs create vocational training to provide income-generation for the participants. These organizations are creating beautiful products that are emerging in the western marketplace. They are shop-worthy for their uniqueness, but also because they are creating second-chances for women who are lifting themselves out of poverty. We who "have" can make a big impact in the world simply by how we choose to spend our money. Also, we can donate to organizations that are on the field, down the alleys and in the trenches. This work is not easy but the pay-off is great. Lives are redeemed and beauty is found.

8.26.2010

08.15.10 *FOUND

I have always been a sucker for block-printing. India is full of these blocks. They look ancient and some of them are. You can buy them for a few rupees on the street or in antique curio shops. They are large ornate stamps carved out of wood. A skilled block-printer meticulously creates a seamless "repeat", the pattern emerges perfectly one after the other. It is an art. You will see many Indian women wrapped in block-printed saris.

Nijaloy, another mighty rescue home has set up it's own block-printing shop. While the artisans are still fine-tuning their craft, they are whole-heartedly committed to practicing, practicing, practicing this art. They showed us piles and piles of samples -- the volunteers kicked up swift business that day purchasing saris, bed-coverings, table cloths and scarves. While they are not quite ready for the marketplace, the possibilities are drool-worthy. 




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