THE THREAD THAT BINDS US – THE DESIRE TO HELP THOSE LESS FORTUNATE OR IN TROUBLE.

By David Spain

In business for twenty-six years, and prior to that ten years with the British Tourist Authority based overseas, means for almost half my life I’ve had the good fortune to experience a life that’s had a distinct international flavor. Even though today’s startling technology advances have made the world metaphorically smaller and with the stark distinctions between cultures diminishing, there remain vast philosophical differences between the beliefs and viewpoints of the many nationalities that we share the planet with. Even so, repeatedly we experience the common thread that binds us together, that of decency, the desire to help our fellow man, to look after those less fortunate than ourselves or who need our help.

One of the negatives resulting from the increased ease and affordability of travel has been the rise in sex tourism, basically people travelling from the affluent nations to the less affluent to exploit children for sex. A world that EPCAT-USA believes is contrary to every child’s basic human right to grow up free from the threat of sexual exploitation and trafficking. EPCAT-USA fights to further that belief in four ways:

  • Advocates for federal and state legislation that prevents exploitation, protects children, and guarantees that any child who is subjected to sexual slavery or sex trafficking will not be prosecuted in the courts for prostitution;
  • Promotes corporate responsibility among private companies with a strong focus on the tourism sector.
  • Educates first responders and ordinary citizens about this issue so that they can identify victims and join us in the fight to better protect children.
  • Empowers youth to take the lead against human trafficking by equipping them with the knowledge and tools necessary to help them become activists against this terrible trade.

ECPAT-USA belongs to an international network of organizations in 75 countries, all working to end the commercial sexual exploitation of children and is additionally the leading anti-trafficking policy organization in the United States.

ECPAT-USA believes it’s different from other anti-trafficking organizations for two primary reasons. While many organizations conduct research or offer services after-the-fact, ECPAT-USA works to stop Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children at the source. In addition, ECPAT-USA is focused solely on children.

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ECPAT-USA also promotes corporate responsibility, primarily within the tourism sector, a key part of the commercial sexual exploitation of children. ECPAT-USA’s partners include Hilton, Sabre, Delta Air Lines, Travelocity, and Wyndham Worldwide, among many others. And among those others is our DMC partner in South Africa, Daryl Keywood, managing director of Walthers Destination Business Solutions Africa based in Johannesburg. A long-time committed CSR advocate with so much hard work and effort already invested by all at Walthers into the Ezweni Combined School in the community of Lilydale, very close to Sabi Sabi game reserve.

Now in addition to supporting Ezweni Combined School Daryl Keywood, a committed and experienced long-distance biker, is riding hard to raise funds for ECPAT–USA.  In Daryl’s own words: “ECPAT-USA is at the heart of the fight against human trafficking and the exploitation of children for sexual abuse. During 2016 I have a personal goal to raise $1000, hopefully much more, to help fund these efforts. At my company Walthers DBS each employee has completed online training to ensure that they are aware of the signs and can act should they suspect that someone is in a vulnerable situation. Help me to raise awareness by sharing and donating to the campaign to end this scourge. https://www.crowdrise.com/darylridingforecpat/fundraiser/darylkeywood.”

For more details:

Ecpat USA logo

ECPAT-USA

30 Third Avenue, Suite 800A 

Brooklyn, NY 11217 USA

Tel: (718) 935-9192

Email: info@ecpatusa.org

www.ecpatusa.org

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Daryl Keywood

Managing Director

Walthers Destination Business Solutions Africa

PO Box 689

Douglasdale  2165

South Africa

Tel: +27 (11) 467 8867

Email: daryl@walthers.co.za

http://walthers.co.za