December 9, 2011

Slavery Footprint

Cassie and I rode through one of the many “zona francas” (free trade zones) here in Nicaragua. It was a Saturday night and thousands of people were flooding into the streets after a long work day in the sweat shops making and assembling products for consumers in North America.

We are only beginning to learn about the slave industry here in Nicaragua. However, here the slave industry is blatant, in your face with the vast majority of the population (over 80%) earning less than $1 U.S. dollar a day. This forces us to ask ourselves, who is working for us and how are our choices affecting the lives of others not only in Nicaragua but around the world?

Who is working for you? Did you know that you are currently employing many slaves, both children and adults around the world? We are confronted with this reality as we drink coffee, eat fresh fruits and vegetables and enjoy a piece of chocolate.

We thought that it would be appropriate to pass on this survey, especially due to the time of the year as consumerism takes a hold of us through the bustling season of Christmas.

Click here for the survey: Slavery Footprint

**If you are brave enough, tell us how many slaves are working for you in the comment section below.  Also tell us where you live.

If you are interested in alternative gift giving for the holidays, check out:

CRWRC Gift Catalog

MCC Giving

6 comments:

Kunnari said...

Apparently 35! Not sure how accurate that is but anyways the largest area was clothes, notably socks & underwear! Good comprehensive overview.

Cassie and Kevin Zonnefeld said...

I took the survey Cas, as me living here in Nica, while including the items that we have at home (thanks for the storage Grandpa, Grandma and Tim and Suzy). The survey says I currently have 25 slaves working for me.

Anonymous said...

Last year, Americans spent $450 billion on Christmas. Clean water for the whole world, including every poor person on the planet, would cost about $20 billion.

Ann said...

Sadly my number was 46!!! And mostly because of clothing. The worst part is half of it I barely wear.

Thanks for sharing this link/site. I rarely think global, but tonight must be the night for it because I also read this:
http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2011/12/homelessness_around_the_world.html

Many blessings and prayers for your work!

Steve McCormick said...

42 SLAVES. mostly because of my closet and electronics...time to cut out new clothes, period. Pretty sure there are enough already in circulation to clothe us. Electronics will be way tougher to stop buying... sad

Cassie and Kevin Zonnefeld said...

Ann - thank-you for your article. It really puts a face to the epidemic. Thanks for your prayers...same to you!