There is still so much human trafficking happening around the world, that it is absolutely incredible that people know so little about it.

Sex Tourism is when tourists, mostly men, engage in sex-trafficking by purposely traveling to known sex destinations (usually under-developed and poor nations), seeking anonymity in pornography or prostitution, or engaging in pederasty with young children and homosexuality with young and older adults. Many of these victims were either sold into the trade or kidnapped and forced into sex-slavery (this is called human-trafficking).

I would like to draw your attention to the following South African website, STOP.

According to STOP, “People are mainly trafficked and enslaved as sex workers but also as forced labourers, child brides and as soldiers. This is fact. Of the 600-800’000 people smuggled over international borders annually, 75% are used for sex trafficking.”

Keep your eyes and ears open, folks, and if you find out that someone has been kidnapped and is being used for human-trafficking, or hear rumours that someone is involved as a trafficker, or has been forced into sex-slavery or prostitution, please report it to the relevant authorities.

This following Animated Information Video was created by Firestorm Production for STOP Human Trafficking’s 2010 Human Traffic campaign. All performers are pupils of Jan van Riebeeck Primary School in Cape Town, South Africa. Please watch it!

Kids on Human Trafficking in SA

Posted under Everything Else

We’ve had merchandise available online for quite some time but the prices, including S/H, were pretty prohibitive. Fortunately we found a new provider that lets us sell shirts at much lower rates.

A regular T-Shirt will now sell for $12.99 plus $5 S/H. That’s a full $11 less than with our former provider.

We have many different styles including 100% cotton tees, vnecks, sleeveless, ringers, baseball and cap sleeve shirts for both men and women. Shirts are available with our Ubuntu Now and South Africa Project logos, as well as with our tag clouds.

The new online store also has full customization options–want a different shirt color? Want the logo in a different place? Design however you like.

This is the time to spread the word and let your friends know about the store. At these rates even we can afford to shop

Posted under Everything Else

We are proud to announce long-established household cleaning brand Carbona as our first corporate sponsor.

As part of their “Carbona Cares” program, Carbona has donated $10,000 to Ubuntu Now. The funds will be used to sponsor both a full-time community mobilizer and a clinic help desk worker in South Africa over a 10 month period. Both professionals are employed by Ubuntu Now’s local sister organizations, the Sonke Gender Justice Network and Thohoyandou Victim Empowerment Program (TVEP).

Carbona’s name is closely tied to the campaign in a sincere effort to address some of the most pressing issues in South Africa, with the goal of launching a number of similar partner programs that provide value to both Carbona’s sponsors and, most importantly, Ubuntu Now’s objectives.

First, “Carbona Cares” will sponsor a Sonke Gender Justice Network staff member to promote and implement their One Man Can campaign. The sponsored community mobilizer will work to:

•    Educate men to stand against violence against women, both personally and within their own community

•    Increase men’s understanding and support of gender equality

•    Mobilize the public, private and non-government organization (NGO) sectors to encourage men’s greater involvement in HIV/AIDS prevention, care and support activities.

In addition, the community mobilizer will conduct weekly workshops to further promote these goals.

Second, videos will also be filmed by a “Carbona Cares” sponsored help desk advisor at TVEP. They will conduct monthly interviews covering topics such as sexual assaults, HIV, access to justice and use of female condoms.  The help desk advisor will be talking to rape victims, program directors and clinic help desk advisors in rural South Africa.

Watch this blog and/or our Facebook fan page for updates directly from the community mobilizers!

The digital cameras that will be used for this project were generously provided by Eastman Kodak.

Posted under Everything Else

Here’s a weird bit of news that’s sure to affect people’s experience at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in a few months: A company called the Kelp Environmental Learning Project (K.E.L.P) has introduced an environmentally friendly vuvuzela.  Here’s a video about it:

Apparently the group, based in Kommetjie, South Africa, use dried kelp horns to create vuvuzelas which are painted and branded.

I’m still not entirely convinced that vuvuzelas should be allowed at the World Cup matches, but if you insist on bringing one, now you have a cool “green” option. And heck, I bet you can make a nice bowl of soup out of it when your done too!

Posted under 2010 World Cup

We’ve recently launched a “Wall of Supporters” on the website for our 2010 FIFA World Cup-centric initiative, South Africa Project.

A minimum of ten dollars buys you a spot on the wall. In exchange for your donation, your personal avatar is posted and provides some visibility for your online presence including a searchable URL. Via use of rollovers, other wall viewers are able to access your customizable profile, personal website, Facebook page,Twitter feed, etc.

One of the reasons Ubuntu Now launched South Africa Project is our conviction that in addition to enjoying the World Cup,  fans and non-fans alike should use this time of celebration to make a contribution and show their support for the people of South Africa– after all, it would be a travesty to gloss over the country’s issues at this crucial time.

Even the minimum $10 donation to the South Africa Project goes a long way. A $70 contribution provides a community with a rape prevention education and promotion kit, $400 can put a community mobilizer to work, and $1,000 sponsors a comprehensive community workshop on the subject. More information can be found at the website for One Man Can, the initiative spearheaded by sister organization in South Africa, Sonke Gender Justice. Read More…

Posted under 2010 World Cup, Everything Else