Imagine being tricked by a stranger, sold by a family member, or coerced by a "friend" into your worst nightmare. And that is only the beginning for victims of human-trafficking. Starved of love, they only know a life of unending manipulation, abuse, and fear.
Being loved seems like a basic human right. And I think you will agree.
Human-trafficking is more prominent than anyone would like to admit. Sex-trafficking makes up a major portion of that billion-dollar “industry." It’s happening under our noses and behind our backs. Half of the industry's profit comes from industrial countries like America. We're also “famed” for making the largest amount of pornography in the world. Come on America, we are better than that! We are the home of the brave and land of the free!
Everything about human-trafficking and sex-trafficking goes against my core values and beliefs. I believe it does the same for you. I've wept over the victims and our broken humanity that has let this kind of thing happen over centuries.
Join me in the fight against human-trafficking and the restoration of these beautiful people.
For too long I thought:
- I doubt I could make a difference...
- It's too hard of a problem….
- It's too far away from me.
- After all, I'm just an artist trying to make a living.
Do you ever think like that?
- I’m just a mom with a mortgage....
- I’m just a 25-year-old trying to build my career...
- Or, the classic “someone else will help them....”
Using what is at our fingertips, I created a unique way for us to simply, yet intentionally extend some love for these precious ones. It's called the B.A.G.A Benefit Program.
For each print you purchase, we will hand pick one of our extra small open edition prints to be gifted to a girl or woman either stuck in or recovering from the abuse of sex-trafficking.
At checkout, you'll be invited to write a Love Note in the NOTES section. This simple and heartfelt point-of-contact will personalize the gift. We will include your note with the print when it is hand-delivered to the woman.
* Send us an EXTRA Love-note below, and we will make sure it arrives.
At the end of each month, all B.A.G.A. prints and Love-notes are gathered and delivered to our partner organization, Stand4Justice to be hand-delivered delivered to the person in need.
Sarah-Jane Vegas, a survivor of sex-trafficking, started Stand4Justice. For years, her and her team, have been working to educate communities, expose the lies, and reach out to anyone trapped inside it. They go where the girls are, regularly to lavish them with love, respect, and kindness (simple gifts included!). And they wait patiently for them to take their next big step.
Our prints become some of their special gifts to give to the women. They will also give the art to some of their partnering organizations who work with the long-term recovery and healing process.
We'll update you regularly with how the gift impacts the girls and the organization we are partnering with, as well as testimonials and Love Notes that we find extra meaningful.
If you are moved by our program and want to write simple notes of hope and love for these brave ones, please send your note to us using this form. We'll be sure to help your note of encouragement get there quickly.
Thanks for taking the extra minute to make these gifts extra special!
With lots of love,
Maari