This month on (in)courage Marketplace, we planned to share with you a little about our favorite fair trade and non-profit organizations that we partner with through DaySpring and (in)courage.
And then this UPS plane crash happened in Birmingham, Alabama, involving Freeset and thousands of dollars worth of product handmade by women in Kolkata, India.
Freeset is located in one of the largest, most infamous sex districts in Kolkata, India, where more than 10,000 women stand in line selling their bodies, forced to generate income for themselves and their families. After the business started with only 20 women brave enough to seize the opportunity to leave the sex trade behind, Freeset has grown to more than 160 women. Freeset currently produces more than 1,000 bags a day and has become a self-sustaining business that is breaking the cycle of poverty and exploitation for these women once and for all. {To read the full story behind Freeset, click here.}
The crash was suspected to be a total loss of an entire fall inventory for online sales, fair trade stores, and conference events. But more importantly, two UPS pilots lost their lives in the crash.
In an effort to support the families affected by the crash, Freeset designed an exclusive Memorial Tee. 100% of the profits from these tees will benefit the families of the pilots who lost their lives on August 14.
We also need YOU, the (in)courage community, to join together to support the women of Freeset who have invested months, making the bags lost in the crash.
There is a miraculous praise to be sung in the midst of this tragedy. Watch the video below from Freeset USA President, Kristi Griem, to learn about the recovery efforts from UPS on reclaiming bags from the scene of the crash.
What a miracle! While more than 50% of the bags were recovered, $36,000 is still needed to offset operation costs of Freeset USA.
If you feel called to help, click on over here to learn how to support Freeset through Pure Charity.
“And it’s not about bags lost; it’s about women offered hope and freedom through Freeset who invested a span of 3 months to make them. It’s about people whose lives have been changed from making these bags, and continuing to offer them the livelihood and dignity afforded them through Freeset. It’s for new life, promise and hope. It’s a really big deal, and a big number to try and hit….but He is so much bigger.”- Kristi Griem, Freeset USA President
Will you help give hope to Freeset and to the families affected by the UPS cargo plane crash?
– the (in)courage team
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