The Conscience Collective: January 2017

GIVEAWAY | STARFISH PROJECT FOR HUMAN TRAFFICKING PREVENTION MONTH

On January 4, 2010 President Obama issued a proclamation naming January as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. This followed a 2007 Senate resolution naming January 11th as Human Trafficking Awareness Day. The U.S. Department of Labour has identified 139 goods from 75 countries made by forced and child labour. In 2015, an estimated 1 out of 5 endangered runaways reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children were likely child sex trafficking victims, and of those, 74% were in the care of social services or foster care when they ran.

Globally, the International Labour Organisation estimates that there are 20.9 million victims of human trafficking and that forced labour and human trafficking is a $150 billion industry worldwide.

68% of them are trapped in forced labour.

26% of them are children.

55% are women and girls.

Starfish Project is an organisation that cares for women escaping human trafficking and exploitation in Asia. They provide life-changing opportunities through their Holistic Care Programmes and their innovative social enterprise where women create beautiful jewelry, but also become managers, accountants, graphic designers, and photographers.

Through their holistic care programs they provide each woman with vocational training, health care, shelter, counseling, as well as child education grants for women and children. Starfish Project has employed over 100 women and has served thousands through their Community Outreach Services. It is no wonder that to commemorate National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, Starfish Project will be offering one luck winner an $80 gift card.

To participate in the Giveaway click here. The Winner will be contacted on the 1st February.

Good luck!

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1 comments

, by Stacy H.

ASOS Eco Edit

STYLE | CALDER SAVED ME, POLLOCK DREW ME AWAY!

I was, perhaps, six, when I took my first formal art class at The Burrowes School of Art in Georgetown. My Aunt Desiree was a renown Guyanese artists, and when she returned from her fellowship in the UK she made sure we were actively involved in the arts, which I could only every say a million times Thank you! It was from there that my love of art was either created or blossomed. Fast-forward ten years later, I am now studying art as part of my undergraduate (Yes, I can count. Iwas sixteen when I went to university), with a focus on Islamic and Asian Art (we did not have an African Art lecturer during the time I was there, but focused on African and Persian Art forms within Islamic Art). Fast-forward sixteen years, and here I am in one of my favourite galleries, not too far away from my old workplace--National Museum of African Art.

On this day, a trip to the National Gallery of Art's, East Building was a must. I wanted to show the hubby a few Pop Art (one of his favourite genres) and a few Surrealist and Abstract Expressionist pieces. In entering one is greeted by Calder. He greets you celestially creating a feel of balance and serenity. And, man, do we need such a greeting before heading upstairs to Abstract Expressionists who have been known to draw me in, then spit me out in a whirl of confusion and darkness. Amongst some of the usual suspects were Pollock and Rothko, both riddled with depression, drug abuse and suicidal thoughts juxtaposed with a Nietzschean mysticism. Illuminating the soul, thankfully, is Leo Villareal with his Multiverse--a tunnel of lights that is exactly what the soul needs before leaving.

When in Washington DC, I highly recommend a trip to this Gallery, as I feel that the East Building is often overshadowed by its more prestigious and grandoise sibling, the West Building. You will not regret it. And if you are emotionally dramatic in your analysis of art as I am, perhaps don't study the Abstract Surrealist as deeply as I have.

WHAT I'M WEARING

COAT, Vintage Balmain Coat | JUMPER, Second-hand Roll neck | DRESS UNDERNEATH, Split Dress from Asos Eco-Edit | TIGHTS, Ethical Superstore | BOOTS, Etienne Aigner Boots I bought in 2003

GET THE LOOK

2 comments

, by Stacy H.

amaZ

TRAVEL | ERES TAN BONITA, LIMA

Outfit: SHIRT | Vintage oversized shirt

SKIRT | DKNY

NECKLACE | The Vamoose

SUNGLASSES | Vintage bought from an old man in Brighton

SHOES | Handmade in Spain (no brand)

There was a sense of familiarity when I disembarked the Lima Airport on our way to the hotel. In a strange way it felt safe. I have only ever felt this way, outside of my own home, a handful of times: in a place called Xishuangbana, in southern China, in Rio, Nairobi, and now in Lima. I opted for French in school, although I am from a continent where 9 of its 13 countries spoke Spanish as a national language, and although I am semi-proficient in Portuguese, there was a definite language barrier. However, I never felt the discomfort I often feel when I lack proficiency in a country's language. Perhaps me chanting "I am a polyglot! I am a polyglot!" actually turned me into a virtuoso Spanish speaker--I doubt--or somewhere in my subconscious I was able to pull off some very deplorable Spanish phrases. Whatever, the means, I felt right at home.

The first day in Lima was definitely the catalyst that sparked my concrete love affair with both this city and the country on a whole. Yes yes yes, I could say the cliche line "the people were soooo nice," but the experience bore much more than a 'niceness' trait. Most people found me an anomaly, and took an anthropological approach to how they engaged with me. Something I was quite taken aback by. You see, most Peruvians have never met someone from Guyana. They have heard of it. But to claim actually meeting someone from their Eastern comrades was rare.

"You speak English there? Nunca conocí a nadie de Guyana."

Then there were the galleries. And the markets. And the individuals. The stories. The food. There were times when I started recognising people. I had seen earlier in the day or week. When I would receive the familiar nod--whether because they could tell I was not from there, or if they too recognised me--the gesture offered a sense of belonging, a statement that this was my place. And I knew it too. I knew the history. I knew the food, thanks to my dearest friend, Rich, whose family is from Lima. And I knew the art. However, I did not know the culture. I did not know the pride, joy, or sadness that inhabited the streets. The living breathing culture of the day, and that was what I wanted to experience. It had been 24 years since I had become fascinated by the country , which ultimately (and partially) led me to wanting to become an anthropologist, and the day had finally arrive when I could breathe in Peru, Lima, its people.

The city boasts a wealth of architecture, art, music, food, and local art. My favourite gallery is easily the Museo de Arte de Lima (MALI), which houses the most extensive collection of Peruvian art from pre-Columbian times until today. Favourite Museum is definitely Museo Larco, and if gold oozes out of your pores, then this is the place to go...or maybe stay away. I still laugh about the little German girl who ran around shouting "mein Schuh!" as her little brother ran across the bougainvillea enclosed lawn throwing her shoe up in the air and catching with glee. Even the children found it a captivating place. The walk through Lima's Historic Centre, dubbed a UNESCO Heritage site, is fantastic for discovering local life, and the day to day, not forgetting the plethora of little galleries and museums that are scattered throughout it. And I highly recommend amaZ for some of the most delicious food from the Amazon right in Lima.