The truth is, I am very soft. I barely watch or read the news. I become overwhelmed with the heartache of the world.
I don't pretend that it doesn't exist, but I try to focus on what I am good at, focus on things I can work hard on and are within my limited scope of power. I pray over meals for those who don't have their bellies filled. I am thankful for my birth lottery.
This week, the Washington Post released this photo essay, entitled: "Heartbreaking photos show what it’s like living in a walled city of a brothel".
Basha, our partner who produces the blankets we sell at dignify, has a training program in Tangail - the brothel pictured in these photos.
These images show exactly why Basha is in Tangail, offering an alternative to those who want and need it. The second group of trainees is now graduating to employment at Basha (!) and soon they will begin recruiting a third group of trainees. Read about Basha's Tangail training program here.
The article also raises some very disheartening questions:
Why would local NGOs rebuild a brothel?
The article states that supporters believe that "sex work is also work — and that these women don’t want to do something else." But, this statement is followed shortly after by a paragraph about young girls who are victims of trafficking, vulnerable and indebted. Can we really accept the first while reading the second?
This week was a powerful reminder for me that this work matters. You can support this crucially important endeavour in numerous ways:
- Telling people about dignify, Basha, and the life-changing work we are enabling together
- Offering feedback, product reviews, and testimonials to help us to do the best work that will impact the most people possible
- Shopping for gifts, having our items on your own wish lists
- Praying for growth in business for Basha & dignify, to create more opportunity for dignified employment; also for Robin (who runs Basha) and me, for our various challenges, disappointments, and setbacks as we go forward in business
