I decided to start off with helping human trafficked victims have some hope by giving them a pair of ballet shoes. It's only a pair of shoes, but it's a way of giving them a symbol of hope that they can heal, they can dream again and that they can dance.
If you want to read more about my original post, here is the link:
This is something that breaks my heart into a million pieces and sometimes on FaceBook or Instagram I will burst into tears at the horrors people endure, all for the inhumane act we call human trafficking.
Yet at the same time, I am overjoyed when justice prevails, when Ashton Kutcher creates a software to protect children from trafficking online and when you read about rescue, recovery and healing of victims now freed.
Giving hope is something that sets my soul on fire. For me there is no greater way of fulfilling my purpose in life than using my passion and love for dance to give hope.
A few months ago I sent out many emails and tried to get a charity to work with, that would either work with me or connect me to a way of giving ballet shoes. All to help in the recovery of victims of trafficking.
I had such beautiful responses of encouragement and thanks for making my own unique impact, but the right connection never quite opened up. One day out of sheer frustration I did a Google search and came across the Natasha's Project and at first glance it grabbed my heart! They used dance to help rescued victims. Contemporary dance in fact.
My words can't quite describe what they do and the impact this charity is making,so have a look at their website for yourself on:
I sent an email and tried not to get too excited but I was excited nevertheless as I felt a connection. Within half an hour I had a response from such a sweet soul.
We arranged a mutually convenient time to talk over the phone, and for most of that week I had butterflies in my stomach, in anticipation of our call!
The perfect thing was even though I was offering ballet shoes, with the dance style being contemporary, the group would be dancing barefoot - for various reasons due to trauma, religion and beliefs this wouldn't always make the dancer comfortable to dance barefoot.
I spoke to the lady, E, she was as lovely over the phone as she came across on email and I was both excited, humbled and truly blessed to have found this connection.
I spoke to the lady, E, she was as lovely over the phone as she came across on email and I was both excited, humbled and truly blessed to have found this connection.
We spoke and I asked if I could share what their group, website and their vision is on my various media platforms - this was appreciated and agreed. I also decided that I would set up a giving page to get just over 120 ballet shoes funded.
Here' why:
The Natasha's Project run 6 workshops over a specific period of time, with a maximum of 20 places for one workshop. The groups are dependant on who can make it, who stays or what new people join. 20 could stay over the 6 weeks or 20 new people could attend every week.
I decided on aiming to collect over 120 ballet shoes of different sizes and variety that would give the flexibility to give each dancer a pair of shoes. Even have some extra!
Over the next few weeks I'm looking to set up a giving page with a deadline of a few months where whoever is interested can sponsor £10, or whatever the equivalent is in your country's currency.
Most dancers know that various sizes of ballet shoe can vary in price, but £10 is a good standard if a pair of shoes is less, whereas another is slightly more - it will balance it out. Once I have my goal achieved I will look to plan how I personally package the shoes and how they reach their destination.
To avoid any unpractical costs and endeavours , I won't be accepting secondhand shoes at this stage, but would appreciate the financial gifting towards purchasing shoes myself, through one,big, bulk order. Any finances saved through a bulk order will go to another Dancing Shoes project.
I'm so humbled by how my dreams are slowly but surely finding their place in my life, that's it's no longer just a dream but a reality.
Whoever would like to make contact, discuss or share with me, please email dancegrace2@gmail.com and have Dancing Shoes in the subject line.
Keep your eyes open for when the project kicks off it's giving page!
Love to all xx
Copyright: Not my image. Copied from website: www.thenatashasproject.co.uk
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