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Tuesday, December 9, 2008

International Sanctuary


Today I had lunch with the girls from International Sanctuary, which is the most wonderful non-profit!

"iSanctuary is a new and growing non-profit organization that was formed to develop social enterprises for survivors of commercial sexual exploitation.

Currently we are training 40 rescued girls, from the ages of 13 to 18 in Mumbai India, in the skill of jewelry making. Once the girls are trained, their products are brought to the US and UK to be sold to fund their futures."

I was introduced to them by my dear friend, Tori Higa ... she'd blogged about International Sanctuary a few months ago, and I'd bought some jewelry then - and invited them to a recent event where they sold alongside me with my Libby Dibby booth. I was so excited to meet Wendy and Stephanie (who spends most of her year in India). Tori and I are talking about someday going to India ourselves to work on designs and concepts with iSanctuary to sell and support this important cause.

Today, the four of us met up for some inspiration and yummy Mexican food. Stephanie and I chatted and played with my beads. We had a lot of fun experimenting on some new concepts that she thought she might be able to take back to India to teach to the women and use in their designs that sell online. (Plus it was fun to dig out my beads again!)

I am just so excited to know these amazing women and I hope you'll check out their site and spread the word about this good work that is happening!