Why Human Trafficking? - The Cause

Maybe you have heard of human trafficking, modern day slavery, sex trafficking, etc. But you don't understand the scale or depth of this problem. Here's some information and statistics.

Slavery is abolished right? Wrong!

* An estimated 27 million people around the world are enslaved today.

Have you seen Taken? This movie scratches the surface of the cruel reality of human/sex trafficking. Human trafficking is not only a distant problem - in developing, far away countries. It happens in our own backyards as well.

* In the US, 100,000 children are forced into prostitution or pornography each year.
*Between 15,000 - 17,000 people are trafficked INTO the US each year.

* Human trafficking is a growing industry; the 2nd most lucrative crime in the world.

* 80% of trafficking victims are women; half are minors.

* 2 children are trafficked every minute - EVERY MINUTE!

I could go on and on with statistics but this story really sheds light on the horror of what she and millions of others endure. She was one that made it out, but not without much pain. Watch her story here: http://vimeo.com/7893904

My hope is that when we can't claim ignorance - we won't claim apathy! 

The story behind the name..LOVE 146

Here's the story behind the name and why Bike for LOVE uses the number 146 - 14.6 miles, $14.60 donation, $1460 goal. May these numbers remind of us her, her story, and the millions of girls just like her - in desperate need of rescue! 

Here's the story, told by co-founder, Rob Morris, since it is his story to tell (taken from Love146.org)

 In 2002, the co-founders of Love146 traveled to Southeast Asia on an exploratory trip to determine how they could serve in the fight against child sex trafficking. In one experience, a couple of our co-founders were taken undercover with investigators to a brothel where they witnessed children being sold for sex. This is the story that sparked our abolition movement.

"We found ourselves standing shoulder to shoulder with predators in a small room, looking at little girls through a pane of glass. All of the girls wore red dresses with a number pinned to their dress for identification.

They sat, blankly watching cartoons on TV. They were vacant, shells of what a child should be. There was no light in their eyes, no life left. Their light had been taken from them.  These children...raped each night... seven, ten, fifteen times every night. They were so young. Thirteen, eleven… it was hard to tell.  Sorrow covered their faces with nothingness. Except one girl. One girl who wouldn’t watch the cartoons.Her number was 146. She was looking beyond the glass. She was staring out at us with a piercing gaze. There was still fight left in her eyes. There was still life left in this girl...

...All of these emotions begin to wreck you. Break you. It is agony. It is aching. It is grief. It is sorrow. The reaction is intuitive, instinctive. It is visceral. It releases a wailing cry inside of you. It elicits gut-level indignation. It is unbearable. I remember wanting to break through the glass. To take her away from that place. To scoop up as many of them as I could into my arms. To take all of them away. I wanted to break through the glass to tell her to keep fighting. To not give up. To tell her that we were coming for her…"

Because we went in as part of an ongoing, undercover investigation on this particular brothel, we were unable to immediately respond. Evidence had to be collected in order to bring about a raid and eventually justice on those running the brothel.  It is an immensely difficult problem when an immediate response cannot address an emergency.  Some time later, there was a raid on this brothel and children were rescued.  But the girl who wore #146 was no longer there.  We do not know what happened to her, but we will never forget her.  She changed the course of all of our lives."

-Rob Morris

President and Co-founder

We have taken her number so that we remember why this all started.  So that we must tell her story.  It is a number that was pinned to one girl but that represents the millions enslaved.  We wear her number with honor, with sorrow, and with a growing hope.  Her story can be a different one for so many more. 

Thank you to all the contributors!

It is one thing to say we're thankful for all we have. I think gratefulness is truly expressed when we give what we have to those who don't.

Riders (When you have paid the $14.60 your name will go on this list as a rider):

1. Jennifer Roman LOVES
2. Beth Pryor LOVES
3. John Siller LOVES 
4. Cheryl Maslanka LOVES
5. Chris Reitz LOVES
6. Mike Ando LOVES
7. Julie Pangborn LOVES
8. Megan Gerde LOVES
9. Naomi Thorpe LOVES
10. Sondra Dusel LOVES
11. Jason Allard LOVES
12. John Rudy LOVES
13. Janelle Tribuzzi LOVES
14. Jenna O'hara LOVES
15. Geoff Stallman LOVES

Donors (Anyone who contributes any amount, your name will go here): 

1. Kathy Maslanka LOVES (Mom) - The first donor!
2. Joe Peluso LOVES - design guru - created the awesome logo!
3. Jennifer Roman LOVES
4. Beth Pryor LOVES
5. Uncle Don LOVES
6. Tammy Prosser LOVES
7. Chris Reitz LOVES
8. Kristina Cirocco LOVES
9. Mike Ando LOVES
10. Julie Pangborn LOVES
11. Megan Gerde LOVES
12. Naomi Thorpe LOVES
13. Sondra Dusel LOVES
14. Sasha Pais LOVES
15. JIMMY Shea LOVES! 
16. Jason Allard LOVES
17. John Rudy LOVES
18. Janelle Tribuzzi LOVES
19. Jamie Seminara LOVES
20. Dustin Yourman LOVES
21. Geoff Stallman LOVES
22. Jenna O'hara LOVES
23. Derek McIntyre LOVES

Thank you for all those who donated money, those who will ride the 14.6 miles and everyone who help to make this possible!

Bike for Love - a campaign to end human trafficking

What is Bike for Love?

Bike for Love is a fundraising and awareness campaign to raise money for LOVE 146, a non-profit organization whose mission is to abolish human slavery and restore those who have been taken captive.

The campaign will last from now until the first week of May, culminating the weekend of May 4-6, 2012. On these days, modern day abolitionists (that's you!) will bike ride 14.6 miles, with the common goal of abolishing human trafficking/slavery.

What are the requirements?

1. Each rider is required to donate a minimum of $14.60 to participate.

2. Then plan a 14.6 mile route to take place on May 4th, 5th, or 6th. Ride alone, or ride in a small group.
The details are up to you - where and when you ride. This way you can participate at your own convenience.
 If you would like to join a group of other riders, let me know and I will help you network with other riders.

3. Invite others - recruit other riders, raise additional money and spread awareness! It's easy - just talk to others about your own involvement! (For additional materials, contact me!)

4. Get creative - make T-shirts to wear on your bike ride with your group!

5. Take pictures to be uploaded on the blog/Facebook pages!

Why 14.6 miles?

There is nothing special about the distance 14.6 miles. It is just a way to make it easy for everyone to participate and to incorporate the organization - LOVE 146.

Where is the money going?


100% of the proceeds will go to LOVE 146.

How to donate?


I will be collecting all donations and keeping track of funds/people who donate. You can give cash or write a check directly to LOVE 146.

The GOALS:

1. Create awareness for both:

• the cause - human trafficking 
• and the organization - LOVE 146.

2. Raise $1,460 to be donated directly to LOVE 146.


Look for the next posts...to find out more details about the cause, the organization and the campaign!

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."  

                                                                         - Margaret Mead