Somaly Mam (sounds like but isn't "Somali Mom")

January 7, 2009

UPDATE: As of January 22th, Rivendell customers have donated over $3,000 to Somaly Mam. Great going. We will continue the offer below until the end of the month. Thank you, donors. Much appreciated.

There's never a good way to bring this up, because sexual slavery of children makes good people squirm&walk away, which is why it's usually lumped under the broader banner of "human trafficking," which includes other bad things that, bad as they are, aren't in the same league.

Somaly Mam was a victim who went on to work to save other victims, by means of the Somaly Mam foundation.

https://www.somaly.org/

It's just a few years old. She and her organization's work have received a certain amount of Hollywood press, been on the Tyra Banks show, and Susan Sarandon is a spokeswoman for it. But the glitter aside, it gets most of its money from normal-people donations, and that's where we all come in.

I have two children (daughters), and maybe if I didn't, sexual slavery would be easier to ignore, but I hope not. As it is, I---like most of you, no doubt---believe the worst crimes are against children, and sexual crimes against them are as vile as vile gets.

The Somaly Mam foundation struggles, needs money, and it spends it well.

We (RBW) struggle, but ours is a first-world, luxury struggle, a struggle to stay afloat in a lousy economy, a struggle to get good delivery, a struggle against a weakening U.S. dollar and how that affects our costs of expensive Japanese bikefinery----- not a struggle to escape sexual slavery. Big difference in struggles!

We're giving $250/month to Somaly Mam Foundation this year. It may increase, let's see how things go.

It is one thing to say: Hey, donate to Somaly Mam Foundation!
Many of you will do that, after hearing about it. But the more effective way is to offer to match your donation, up to $100, with a credit on your account.

When you donate online, you will receive a receipt. (You will be "receipted".)

Send us by mail or email a copy of that receipt (to John- see below for details), and we'll credit your account that much. Any amount. Don't be embarrassed by $5. Suppose we have 7,500 or so on our mailing list, and 600 read this site. Six hunnert times five is $3,000, and that's significant. Plus you know, we'll match that in credit.

This offer good through January. You can give to Somaly Mam all year long, but the credit deal here--that's good til the end-o-month.

Also--there is a ride to benefit Somaly Mam. I think the plane flies out of Australia, and the ride itself is (appropriately) in Cambodia. It's the first week of March; the riding is short and easy, and you can find out more about it on the site. If any of you is already planning to go, let us know and we'll certainly help with costs. We have contributed funds ($500) to riders already; might as well help one of our own. Aren't we all our own, though?


 
Once again:

https://www.somaly.org/

If you send email proof of donation, send to:

john@rivbike.com

(Please forward it to John, and only John. He's keeping track. Thanks!)

Please send email confirmation of your donation well before you order, if you want to apply the discount to your next order. Give John a day or two to create your create your credit/coupon.


If you send by mail, send to

Rivendell Bicycle Works
2040 North Main #19
Walnut Creek, CA 94596

attn: John/Somaly Mam donation