| Why Does Good Deeds International Exist? |
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Good Deeds International (GDI) exists because child-trafficking is increasing around the world. Good Deeds’ present mission involves developing a sustainable business model that:
Good Deeds International is committed to social transformation. Good Deeds believes in a world where men, women and children are free from slavery; live in dignity; and are free to chase their dreams.
To this end, there are numerous dimensions to why our organization exists:
The Inspirational DimensionGood Deeds donors, staff and volunteers wake up each morning with big smiles on their faces - knowing that they are a part of something meaningful and life-changing.
Good Deeds supporters are directly and indirectly freeing child-trafficking victims, and recruiting and educating others to do the same.
Can you think of a more beautiful way to spend your time?
The Financial DimensionCriminal networks are making billions of dollars trafficking children, so why would they want to stop? The United Nations estimates that child trafficking generates $US 7 - 10 billion annually for traffickers (human trafficking is estimated at upwards of $US 30 billion annually). 30% of trafficking victims are below the age of 18 and although it is estimated 1.2 million children are trafficked each year, the sexual exploitation of children surpasses 10 million annually, ECPAT Australia (2008). Trafficking is the second most lucrative crime in the world, after the drug trade. There is a value chain and an economic imperative that draws criminals to trafficking. This value chain, the profit dimension, must be understood, disrupted and dismantled if the trafficking industry is to be challenged and reduced. At the most basic level the world must invest more in counter trafficking than the criminals do. It’s that simple. Other considerations such as equity in economic structures for the poor and disadvantaged are also paramount. This includes living wages, fair trade, non discrimination policies and action, and the courage to equally distribute the world’s wealth.
The Current Needs DimensionThe simple fact is national and international polices exist to protect children; hundreds of millions of dollars have been spent on policy and other top-down initiatives. Yet, trans-national criminal networks do not adhere to rules of law and social ethics. These criminal networks are multiplying overnight, and are becoming more sophisticated and efficient at buying and selling children.
GDI fills crucial gaps in the counter child-trafficking industry by:
Read our: The Moral DimensionIn a diverse and eclectic world, the notion of ‘right and wrong’ is a highly contestable topic, one which sadly creates conflict between communities, states and nations. However, when it comes to child-trafficking, there is no debate, no grey area. Child-trafficking is a crime against humanity. Think of children you know, and the hopes, dreams and innocence they possess. Now think of the millions of children who experience nothing but the darkest cracks of human existence. Children sold for the purposes of sexual exploitation, soldiership, bonded/forced labor require our help. We will not rest until every child is free to live their dreams. If we don’t, then who will?
The Legal DimensionThe global community has created international legislation to combat child-trafficking. Goods Deeds is committed to seeing these reverent laws enacted and reaching the adults and children that can benefit by them the most. Much more legislation exists, but here are a few widely utilized and respected polices:
Visit our Tools For Change section to review a list of educational materials concerning child labour and child-trafficking The Sad Reality DimensionIn the new millennium child labour worldwide has decreased from 246 million children to 218 million, however child-trafficking is actually on the rise. That’s right, the buying and selling of children is dramatically increasing worldwide. Conservative estimates range from 1.2 to 2 million children annually, but because trafficking is typically a hidden criminal activity, we believe the statistics are much higher.
According to the United Nations, 'Human trafficking is the recruitment, transportation, and receipt of a person for sexual or economical exploitation by force, fraud, coercion, or deception in order to make a profit. Often, victims are young men and women, who are guilty only of aspiring to a better life for themselves and their families'. It has been estimated that over the past decade in south Asia alone, some 30 million people, mostly children, have been trafficked. And, it is not simply a problem in developing countries; the USA and Japan have the highest incidents of human trafficking around the globe. Human trafficking and child-trafficking is pandemic. |
