Punjammies

   I want to introduce you all to an organization called International Princess Project. They are focused on freeing women from lives of slavery and exploitation in India. These women make Punjammies.

  

PUNJAMMIES™ are a premium brand of pajamas hand made by women who were formerly enslaved in prostitution.Crafted from beautiful Indian Sari fabric, PUNJAMMIES™ are perfect for sleeping or relaxing.

100% of the proceeds from PUNJAMMIES™ is used to support women who made them. 

   I am hoping that as you read the following and watch the video, that your heart will be filled with compassion for the thousands upon thousands of women and girls who are exploited around the world. Maybe you never realized how serious and how huge this problem really is.

 

   Instead of shutting our eyes to these kinds of world issues, we can help make a change; by allowing ourselves to recognize and see the suffering that happens in the world, and by being intentional in the choices we make. Choices that will help others have a second chance at life, a chance to be free.

 

The Story of PUNJAMMIES

 

Empowering each woman with an opportunity to learn a marketable skill and become a part of a viable business is the purpose of Punjammies. In providing for her basic need to support herself, she sees that she has value far beyond what the lies have told her. She begins to see her rightful place of value - a princess.

 

 

Each Punjammie is created in an after-care facility for women who have been rescued, released or escaped from a life of forced prostitution. Their lives have been marked by a message - you are a commodity - to be used for other's gain.

Whether sold by her own family, trafficked from another country or driven by desperation, she was a slave to this life. Each story is as unique as each girl.

When one manages to escaped from this life of horror, she has few options where to turn. Aside from the emotional and psychological trauma, women formerly working as prostitutes cannot easily enter schools, return to family systems or secure jobs to support themselves in India. A high quality after-care center is one of the best options a woman has at rebuilding her life.

Holistic aftercare involves quality medical care, emotional safety, education and the tools to create a new way of life for herself.

Empowering each woman with an opportunity to learn a marketable skill and become a part of a viable business is the purpose of Punjammies. In providing for her basic need to support herself, she sees that she has value far beyond what the lies have told her. She begins to see her rightful place of value - a princess.

Every Punjammie purchase creates
A fair trade wage
Deposit into a savings account
Financial support for holistic care
Capacity building for more women to enter the after-care center

Every Punjammies tells the story of a girl who was once voiceless. You can be a part of re-building lives shattered by modern day slavery.

Wear Punjammies. Wear hope. 





You can purchase Punjammies at http://intlprincess.myshopify.com/  They are currently on sale for only $35.00!

Pictures, information and video used with permission from http://intlprincess.org/

Happy Blankie

   There are a few companies out there who use the model of buy one give one. The company I want to share with you today is called Happy Blankie. This organization is really unique because it was inspired by a seven year old boy's idea. Please read the info below and watch the video to learn more. I think this is a great way to give a gift to your child or a child you know and then get your kids involved in giving to a child in need across the world or close to home!

Happy Blankie's Mission:

 

David Holdridge, founder of Happy Blankie, had a remarkable idea. His mother Emily encouraged him to bring his idea to life – and then added a life lesson that we can ALL teach our children - share. Her idea was to share the happiness of Happy Blankie with children in need of a smile. Thus, ONE to Love, ONE to Share, became the core philosophy of Happy Blankie. The concept is based on Emily’s message to David (and her other 3 children) – love one another, share with others and make a difference in the world.

 

Happy Blankie is donating blankies to children in need all over the world. YOU will be able to make a difference by choosing where you would like to give a blankie. When you receive your blankie you will be able to follow the instructions on the "giving is cool" tag in order to donate your second blanket.
We will send you an email that will keep you informed of our future giving dates and destinations. Both you and Happy Blankie are changing the world, two blankies at a time - and that is what we call REMARKABLE.

Happy Blankie Mission from Happy Blankie on Vimeo.

Some of the cute blanket designs:

 

Sizes:

• Small approx. 18” X 18”  (security size: newborn - 2 years)
•  Medium approx. 32” X 36” (perfect for nap time, car trips, any time! newborn - 6 years)
•  Large approx. 46” X 54” (newborn - 75+ years)
•  Blanket prices range from $32.00 to $128.00

  

    They also just came out with a clothing line of kid's tshirts, rompers and onesies. Right now if you buy a Medium or Large Blankie, you will get a free clothing item of your choice! I'm not sure how long this deal will be going on, but if you are already thinking of purchasing a Happy Blankie, then take advantage of this deal!

Love,

Jessica

Happy Blankie Mission. Check out http://www.happyblankie.com for more details and information. There are also a few new blanket designs to choose from!

Pictures, video and information used with permission from www.happyblankie.com

What is my motivation?

   What is my motivation behind writing this blog to "advertise" for these companies? I guess my main reason is that I believe in what they are doing and I hope to help others know about the options that are out there. I desire to spend my own money well and support organizations that are helping people get out of a life of poverty and despair.  I believe this Chinese proverb to be true: "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime."  A lot of these organizations are doing just that, instead of just giving aid, they are giving people a way to support themselves.

   I don't receive anything for sharing with you, just the joy of knowing that now you know about some cool organizations who are spreading hope in the world, and that is enough! I hope you will be inspired to shop with purpose when you buy gifts for your friends, family, and for yourself. :)


   

Love,

Jessica

It's Sari Bari's Birthday!! 20% off during the month of March!

Five years of freedom At the end of February, Sari Bari celebrated its fifth birthday.  In 2006, three women in one small room began sewing for freedom; they are now joined by over seventy women in three different locations, all with the same pursuit.  If that's not reason to celebrate, we don't know what is!  To invite you into our celebration, we are offering 20% off all your Sari Bari purchases during the month of March.  To receive this discount, enter "HAPPYBIRTHDAY" as the coupon code in your shopping cart and click "Apply Changes" (discount will not be applied to Suti Sana items).  Also, all U.S. customers will have the option of $7 flat-rate shipping when they check out!   New bag design - Jillik's hobo! The Sari Bari store has been re-stocked with many of your favorites, as well as our all-new hobo bag, named for Jillik, who has lead many others into freedom. Thanks for being part of the freedom story.  Happy shopping! Kathryn McRitchie, for everyone at Sari Bari Visit Sari Bari's website:  www.saribari.com

Suti Sana

Sari Bari has a new line of products available on their website made by a company called Suti Sana that is based in Bolivia. All of the following information is from Sari Bari's blog.


We are delighted to introduce you to Suti Sana, a business of freedom in Bolivia.  Their lovely bags are now available at saribari.com.

Here is their story…
Eight years ago in El Alto, Bolivia a naive gringo couple started visiting the dank, dim brothels in the main Red Light District.  As they got to know the women there, they offered to help however they could. Many of the women folded their arms over their chest and cynically asked, “How do you plan to help us?”
Through the years, the answer to that question has developed into medical and legal assistance, hospitality, small loans, and most of all friendship. And all of these efforts have culminated in the inauguration of Suti Sana.
Suti Sana is an economic and therapeutic option to prostitution in El Alto, Bolivia. Suti is an indigenous Aymaran word meaning “name,” and sana means “healed” in Spanish. Within caring community, women can finally experience holistic transformation of “healed names” and identities.
Women enter the Suti Sana program for six months of training, rehabilitation, and education. During those months, the women participate in individual and group therapy, economic and nutrition classes, devotions, and training in sewing on industrial sewing machines. After six months, the women can enter Suti Sana as full-time employees.

All Suti Sana bags are made of aguayo, an Andean wool cloth that symbolizes life in Bolivia. In El Alto, women carry their fruit, vegetables, and even babies in this durable woven material. Each bag is made from 100% pastured sheep wool and may contain natural inconsistencies.

Get your Suti Sana bag here

These bags are so cute!!   

                                                         Love,                                                             Jessica                                                      

All of the pictures and text were used with permission from Sari Bari.                                                   

Sari Bari

buy one now

   When I found out about Sari Bari, I knew I had to write about them! I love what they stand for; giving women a way out of a hopeless situation and offering them hope and a healthy environment to work. They are based in Kolkata, India. The following is a description about Sari Bari from their website.   

Sari Bari is a business. Our mission is to offer freedom to women who are trapped in the sex trade and to provide opportunity to women who are vulnerable to trafficking. We do this by providing employment in a safe, loving environment, where women are trained as artisans. The women create beautiful, sustainable, handmade products, while making their lives new. We invite you to journey into the freedom story of one woman with your purchase.

  All of their beautiful products are handmade by the women using Indian Saris, and are marked with a tag which shows the name of the woman who made it. You can find out a little about each woman on Sari Bari's website.

Here are some of the products these women make:

 

Purses

Blankets

Scarves, Makeup bags, and tablerunners.

   Please visit Sari Bari at www.saribari.com and check out all their beautiful products. You may notice that many items are already sold, but they receive new shipments about every six weeks, so keep checking back!

   I hope you are as excited to shop in a new way for gifts for Valentines Day or for birthdays that are coming up as I am! The idea of giving something beautiful to those I love and also at the same time giving towards a company that is helping women find freedom is so much fun to me. It brings a new joy to shopping for gifts!

e

Jessica

Pictures and information used with permission from Sari Bari's website.

Valentine Gift from Sseko Designs (with purchase)

   Right now seems like a great time to buy some Sseko sandals! Like them on Facebook, then leave a comment saying who you love right now, then purchase a pair of sandals from Sseko Designs and receive a piece of handmade jewelry as a gift!  Its not sandal season just yet, but wouldn't it be great to have a pair for the spring! You could ask your sweetheart for a pair for Valentines Day...nothing says I love you like a new pair of cute shoes.  :) But, maybe that's just me, because I really love shoes!! (:  

Give a gift of love that keeps on giving!

e   



 Jessica



P.S. Sseko just came out with a few new straps!! Check out all their straps at: www.ssekodesigns.com

Pictures used with permission from Sseko Designs.