The SOLD Project
Using Film to Stop Child Prostitution Before It Begins
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Field of Work
social justice/human rights
If Field of Work is “other” please define in 1-2 words below
Year project started (or projected start date) (yyyy)
2007
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What is the primary problem your venture is trying to address and how are you addressing it (or planning to address it)?
The SOLD Project is a grassroots movement dedicated to telling stories of children whose lives have been affected by prostitution through the experience of film and empowering individuals to react to the hope that exists.
Name Your Project
The SOLD Project: Using Film to Stop Child Prostitution Before It Begins
Describe Your Idea
Project Description
A documentary that encapsulates the reality of children living in a world of prostitution and how it affects their daily lives. A central theme of this film is to show hope through prevention.
Unique and different
Have you noticed that most documentaries on this issue have little to no ways for YOU to respond? The SOLD Project has started an organization alongside of the film to give you, the viewer, tangible ways to help stop the exploitation of children before it begins.
Project plan
The SOLD Project is currently in post-production with the film, and working on expanding the organization. We have just soft-launched our child sponsorship program for the impoverished northern villages of Thailand, where children are most often trafficked from due to their vulnerability. By giving children the opportunity for education, they are less at risk of being SOLD. Our next six months are dedicated to completion of the film, and launching our nation-wide tour.
Partnerships
Street Children: Volunteers for Children Development Foundation (VCDF):
VCDF is a Thai-run orphanage and drop-in center surviving without much funding, and in need of help to strengthen their development. VCDF buys children at the border and builds relationships with street kids, offering them an alternative to selling their body for survival. They provide shelter, food, education, and vocational training to each child. The SOLD Project believes in the work they are doing and in the volunteer staff that gives countless hours to ensure these children have a safe place to live. The SOLD Project has partnered with VCDF to strengthen their work and help them bring more children off the streets of despair and into a life of hope.
Undocumented Children: Whispering Seed:
Many children in Myanmar (Burma) are unregistered at birth. They have no birth certificate, no form of identity, and therefore no legal structure for protection. Without this, they are easy prey to traffickers, and many end up trafficked into brothels throughout Thailand. Debt bondage and poverty keep them there, and advocating for their rights is difficult without any citizenship or legal structure. The SOLD Project has partnered with Whispering Seed, an orphanage on the Burmese/Thailand border that provides shelter and education for these undocumented children.
Impact
The SOLD Project seeks to support already existing organizations in their fight to end child prostitution by utilizing the film as the bridge between the viewer and those doing on the ground work.
Effectiveness
In June The SOLD Project hosted a test screening with nearly 200 individuals to create awareness. Most recently we collected sponsorships for 18 children living in high-risk areas of trafficking to keep them in school & out of prostitution
How do you engage and impact the community?
The SOLD Project speaks to universities, high schools and faith communities about the issue of child prostitution, sharing the film and giving individuals the opportunity to go beyond compassion by ACTING for change.
How do you measure this impact?
Our hope is that after seeing our film every viewer asks, “What can I do?” The beauty of that is that everyone has unique talents and skills to offer to this cause. We are currently developing an “action kit” that will give viewers direct ways to get involved locally and internationally. We are assessing the needs of many organizations in Thailand and America, and plan to connect uniquely gifted individuals to these organizations with specific needs. The SOLD Project will be the bridge between individuals and the issue.
Obstacles
Finishing the film, and meeting our budget to successfully be able to promote and support these organizations doing amazing work.
This Entry is about (Issues)
(or how do you expect your initiative will be financed)
The SOLD Project just received their own 501(c)3 status and is now able to begin applying for grants. To date we have raise all of our money through individuals who believe in this cause.
Aside from financial sustainability, how do you plan to grow and sustain your project?
Through people called to action. We also believe in empowering the local people of Thailand to continue growing the organizations working with the vulnerable children of Thailand.
Finance details
To date we have raised over $100,000 worth of in-kind gifts (lawyers, web services, etc). Currently on our staff are:
Rachel Sparks: Founder/Producer
Rachel Goble: Executive Director/Associate Producer
Drew Persons: Project Manager/Cultural Consultant
Contracted Employees/Film Crew:
David Serota: Director of Photography
Justin Dial: Editor
Board of Directors:
Andrea Swift
Cameron Wilson
Alexis Jones
Advisory Board:
Elkin Antoniou
Roy Goble
David Mahanes
Andrew Smith
Jeffrey Sparks
Mike Tollin
Thai Staff/Advisors:
TaWee Donchai
Nancy Persons
Christa Crawford
Partners:
Whispering Seed (www.whisperingseed.org)
VCDF (www.goodbuddies.org)
Invisible Children (www.invisiblechildren.com)
Creative funding
We always ask: How can you use your gifts to support this issue? People have held cut-a-thons, donated their tip jars, designed t-shirts, hosted vision dinners, ran marathons, and held benefit concerts.
Other non finance needs
Graphic Designers, Legal Work, Accountants, Editing Bay, Editors, Executive Assistants, College Representatives, High School Representatives, and venues in which to host the film.
Motivation
I first heard about the issue of child trafficking in church... and was both heartbroken and astounded. Blessed with a burden, I knew I had to do something. Film is a powerful medium in which to convey these stories to gain awareness, and within six weeks of founding The SOLD Project, we had our first film crew together and had fundraised nearly $75,000. Two months were spent seeking the truth of this issue in Thailand: trying to find the stories behind the statistics. A year later we are in post-production and our lives are forever changed.
Awards
We have been acknowledged in various newspaper articles and given support and endorsements by many influential figures in Hollywood.
Broader context
The SOLD Project is creating a movement with a generation that is currently deciding their vocation as they learn about their passions and place in our world. Today, globalization and technology has brought the world into our living room, and people are looking for ways to have an impact. Although this age group is our target, we hope to reach people of all ages. We see no limit to what can be achieved when we all stand together to confront child prostitution. We do not consider The SOLD Project the answer to ending child prostitution in the world. We do, however, believe the familiar quote, “If you are not a part of the solution, then you are part of the problem.”
Ongoing
The SOLD Project is our vocation and our hearts calling. I can't imagine my life any other way but to advocate and fight for these children.
What is your age?
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How did you hear about this competition?
 | Rachel Goble said: Hi Romina! Thank you for the encouragement. We are currently pulling together our Spring 2009 Nationwide Tour. At each venue there will ... about this idea. - 533 days ago read more > |
| Ab Ariyaratne said: Child prostitution has emerged through poverty.When people are poor they find ways and means for sustenance.Prostitution is a sexual ... about this idea. - 554 days ago read more > |
| Dana Frasz said: Hello Rachel, Earlier this year Changemakers hosted a competition with Humanity United called "Ending Modern Day Slavery." I think ... about this idea. - 555 days ago read more > |
| Romina Laouri said: Hi Rachel, Great to hear how you are using film and media to make impact! Could you elaborate a little bit more on exact strategies ... about this idea. - 555 days ago read more > |
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