The Girl Effect

Sometimes I feel like it is a good reminder to see the step-by-step process of how education and prevention work together. With the research I have done, organizations I have meet, and the holistic approaches in place, it is easy for me to  jump to the end point without explaining WHY and HOW.

This video from The Girl Effect does a great job in doing that:

 

 

While The SOLD Project works with boys and girls (as both are at risk of child sexual exploitation), this video touches on some of the issues faced in Thailand such as poverty, lack of education, and prostitution as a means of income.  Again, there are a lot of contributing factors and plenty of resources avaiable for deeper research and understanding – but this video is a quick and simple means to explain and huge and complex problem.

Sawadee Ka!

So I have been meaning to get this post up for a while now, but life has been a whirlwind to say the least! Since arriving in Thailand I have: bounced between Bangkok, Chiang Rai, Chaing Mai and back to Chaing Rai, hosted two teams, met with four anti-trafficking organizations, attempted to learn to drive a stick shift, found and moved into an apartment, started Thai lessons, started teaching English, learned to drive a motorbike, have maneuvered my way around a new city, have met some wonderful people (both Thai and foreigners) and have completely fallen in love with Chiang Rai. 

Life here is so refreshing and it has been a lot easier to adjust than I expected; such a nice pace of life. The warm weather is a plus, too.

 Working with The SOLD Project on the ground has been amazing. It is so easy for me to forget the true purpose of this work when I am busy working on awareness, networking, and fundraising – but being here with the kids brings me back to the heart of it. Especially after being in Bangkok (even if only for 2 nights) and being reminded of how prevalent the problem is. The other day I was able to read through some profiles of children who are applying to be sponsored by The SOLD Project, and some of their risk factors are just overwhelming and heartbreaking. I am continually grateful for the work The SOLD Project does, and so blessed to be a part of it. 

 If you want any more updates until my next post, or have questions, or just want to say hi, please feel free to email me at shannon.omalley@thesoldproject.com

 Love love love!

Thank You Body Balance!

Over the past few months while I was preparing for Thailand, I was able to work part time for Body Balance Fitness and Massage. The incredible owners, John Perez and Kristi Reed, as well as their wonderful staff made my four hours there each morning so much fun! I was able to meet so many great people, as well as build friendships with the team. I feel beyond blessed to have had the opportunity to work there.

Besides giving me part time work, John and Kristi whole-heartedly supported my work with The SOLD Project. They donated in-kind services to multiple fundraising events, attended our year-end event at Wente Winery, promoted my work on their Facebook page, and even started a fund for me at the studio! WIth their help, and the generous contribution of their clients, Body Balance raised over $350 for my work with The SOLD Project!

A million thanks to Body Balance, their staff, and clients, for all your support and encouragement

birthday wish

Tomorrow is the big 2-4. I don’t even think that allows me to be qualified as early twenties anymore, yikes! And of course, this time of year I always get the question “what do you want for your birthday?” and even more so that Christmas is 4 days later. I am lucky to be in a place where I don’t want or need much, and the only thing I have been able to think of (aside from the obvious world peace answer) is helping The SOLD Project. Naturally, I would like donation toward my fund, but any donation towards SOLD would be amazing. Or even just encouraging others to donate towards causes they care about, especially this time of year where we are so focused on buying and giving, it would be cool to channel that towards good.

For my birthday wish this year I am asking for $24 towards The SOLD Project. This is how I see it: I will be working with SOLD for a year, that’s only $2 a month for 12 months. That’s basically  giving up one cup of coffee a month! Totally manageable.

 

So please help me celebrate my 24th birthday with a $24 donation to The SOLD Project.

Click here to donate now!

 

 

 

Ladies Night for a Cause!

Thank you so much to my cousin Jen Johnson and her friend Kelly Belnap for hosting jewelry parties to support The SOLD Project! They raised $1,000!! So grateful for their efforts. Check out my Facebook page to see more pictures from the night.

grateful

Fundraising is my least favorite thing to do. I really don’t like asking for money, but it is so necessary for this kind of work. As much as I dislike this part of the job, there is one thing I do love about it – the people who donate.

I can’t begin to explain to you how incredible it is to see the names that show up in my e-mail when a donation comes in. Close friends, long lost friends, Facebook friends, family… and then there are the random names I have to look up because a wonderful person sent an email to their contacts about The SOLD Project and a few of them decided to get involved. Truly amazing and humbling. And so many times these donations don’t come from the people you would expect, the people you assume would donate because they are close friends or you know are loaded, but from friends I haven’t talked to in years, friends who I know are in school or unemployed, and just awesome people that you would never think to ask.

Thank you is not enough to express my my heartfelt gratitude, but I just want to wanted to give a shout out for all the love and support!

almost there!

I just submitted my last little assignment and have officially completed my Master’s degree! I turned in my 62 page thesis (ugh!) a few weeks ago and have just been wrapping things up since then. This does not seem real at all, but maybe when I walk across the stage for my diploma a week from now it will hit me. But probably not.

My time here in London is coming to a close, and I think at just about the right time. These riots are crazy, and just sad. I have been trying to see both sides of the argument, that these rioters are struggling so socioeconomic equality or whatever excuses people on both sides are trying to use, but I just don’t agree. With any of it. I believe what we are seeing is a reflection of a society driven by greed. I don’t want to get into it, especially as events are still unfolding to what could soon be ethnic conflict, but I just wish that those involved realize how privileged they are to live in this country; That because they have access to things such as health care and education, and above all, basic human rights, that puts them in the minority.

I have a little over three weeks left in my little home here, then I’ll be headed back to California! I can’t believe it has almost been a year since I left, and I cannot wait to see family and friends. Please get in touch if you are around, I would love to grab coffee or lunch and just catch up. And of course, if you want to see how to get more involved with SOLD, I’d love to chat more!

And I’m going to leave you with a little bit of inspiration that has helped me through the last few months:
“Your journey has molded you for your greater good, and it was exactly what it needed to be. Don’t think that you’ve lost time. It took each and every situation you have encountered to bring you to the now. And now is right on time.” – Asha Tyson

quick update

I can’t believe that there is only a month (and a 15,000 word thesis) between me and my master’s degree. There is finally a light at the end of the tunnel, and its so close! I just wanted to take a break from my crazy school work right now and give a quick update, and most of all a huge thank you.

Thank you so much for your support and the overwhelming encouragement! It has been so great to hear from so many people, and I just feel so blessed for such an amazing community of family and friends.

I have yet to do an official “ask” in my fundraising, but have already started receiving donations, extremely generous donations. I am so humbled by people’s willingness to give and spread awareness about The SOLD Project. It is truly amazing. 

There have been people asking how to get more involved or show their support, so if you are asking the same question, please feel free to get in touch with me! I’ve heard some great ideas so far, and there are a bunch of easy ways to get involved. I’d love to hear from you!

If you would like to contribute, here is a secure site: https://thesoldproject.com/donate/donation_form.php?custom=omalley

Thank you all, again. I hope you are enjoying your summer in whatever part of the world you may be!

well, secret’s out…

“We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us.”

Not too sure how to start this, but here is my blog as I continue  my journey with The SOLD Project, exploring social justice issues, and doing my part to prevent child prostitution.  In January, I was presented with the opportunity to work with The SOLD Project again, but this time instead of being in California, this role would take me to Thailand full-time. Timing, responsibilities, and doubts were issues at the time, but after a lot of advice, prayer, and conversations and some convenient changes, it was clear that this is what God has in store for me at the moment. So, I accepted the position as Manager of Volunteers and will be moving to Thailand when I finish my Master’s degree this year.  I am excited to see where this adventure is going to take me, and would love your support as I prepare for this new journey.

Please find my page on Facebook for updates, follow this blog, and check out The SOLD Project’s work at www.thesoldproject.com.