Freeset/Joyya
Freeset, the cotton bag brand mentioned in Harry’s first novel, The Glass and visited by Suzanna in The Duty, is a real social enterprise based in West Bengal that provides alternative dignified work for women who have been trafficked into the sex trade. They make Fairtrade bags and tee shirts.
I spent several years volunteering with Freeset in India. They’re doing incredible work, helping women exit the sex trade and helping others to avoid being dragged into it. They’ve since rebranded themselves as Joyya. Check out their website to find out more.
Alpha
Suzanna’s sister, Charlotte, mentioned the Alpha Course to her stubborn sister, in my book The Glass. Perhaps you’ve heard about it? Suzanna continues to get nudges to return to her Christian routes and perhaps attend an Alpha Course, but she’s yet to follow through on this.
My life was transformed by attending an Alpha Course in my mid-40s. I’d been an atheist and agnostic at various times in my life, so I was rather surprised when I discovered Jesus as my saviour. Check out Alpha – you’ve nothing to lose and potentially everything to gain…
International Justice Mission
IJM’s mission is to protect people in poverty from violence by rescuing victims, bringing criminals to justice, restoring survivors to safety and strength, and helping local law enforcement build a safe future that lasts. Our vision is to rescue millions, protect half a billion and make justice unstoppable. Find out more about IJM, here.
Justice Ventures International
Fighting Slavery & Other Extreme Injustice
There are an estimated 40+ million individuals living in slavery globally. Human trafficking is a multi-billion-dollar industry that involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion. JVI works on the front lines in poor and oppressed communities where the battle for justice rages daily, freeing the oppressed from slavery and other extreme injustice. Find out more about JVI, here.
Shakti Women’s Aid
Shakti Women’s Aid, based in Edinburgh, Scotland, helps black and minority ethnic women, children, and young people who have experienced, domestic abuse. They provide helpline services for users and consultancy for other agencies. And they work closely with the Scottish Government, Police Scotland, NHS Scotland, and other statutory and voluntary services. Find out more about Shakti Women’s Aid, here.
Beyond Handmade
Beyond Handmade is a remnant of Freeset Fabrics, the social enterprise that Harry helped to establish in rural Murshidabad District, West Bengal. Freeset Fabrics took five years to establish and grow into a handloom weaving business employing fifty people, mostly women who were at risk of being trafficked. The company recruited trained and educated these women, turning them onto confident your people, able to stand up to oppression. Despite having become a high quality, hand-woven scarf manufacturer, sadly, Freeset Fabrics closed its doors, because Freeset’s distributors didn’t have the expertise or contacts to viably sell these wonderful products. Most of Freeset Fabrics’ employees transited their vulnerable phase of life and are now safe from trafficking. Being a single mother in Murshidabad District is incredibly difficult, so a few of the ex-employees, with the help of Freeset and Via Design, set up a cooperative, and they continue to make bags, clothes and handicraft items. Harry continues to support Beyond Handmade and hopes they will become a sustainable cooperative Watch this space for more information.