Ijm Fundraising Letter

Dear Friends and Family:

Yes, I have seen “Slum Dog Millionaire.”

People always ask me that question when I tell them I am going to be part of a prosecution team dedicated to cases of child forced prostitution in India. The next question I usually get is, “so is that really how it is there?” Sometimes I point out that I don’t know since I haven’t actually been yet, but other times I just tell a reallife story that I do know about kids who have been forced into sex slavery: When 14-year-old Manna ran away from her abusive home in South Asia, she met a woman who offered her a job selling fabric. She accepted the position, and the woman provided her a place to sleep for the night. When Manna awoke in the morning, the woman was gone, and Manna discovered that she was in a brothel. Manna attempted to refuse the first three men who had paid to rape her. She was physically assaulted by the brothel keepers until she lacked the strength to resist. For the next two years, she was held in the brothel and raped by customers for the profit of the brothel owners. I’ve studied human trafficking (child forced prostitution is a type of human trafficking) throughout my undergraduate career, ranging from independent research projects in Thailand and Uganda to sitting on the Notre Dame Law School Human Trafficking Panel. But now I have an opportunity to actually do something about the problem- I have chance to work with the International Justice Mission (IJM). I have to admit that because of my research I have become a tough cynic when it comes to anti-human trafficking efforts, but I really do believe in International Justice Mission and think that its methods are effective. In office I will be working in, IJM focuses on investigating and prosecuting the perpetrators of child forced prostitution and protecting the victims (check out www.ijm.org). This work is important because it holds the perpetrators accountable so as to insure that once the victims are rescued more are not simply sucked in to take their place. Also, it works in conjunction with local authorities and helps improve their capabilities and uncover “sticking points” in the country’s criminal justice system. Finally, it is a critically needed, and often overlooked, complimentary partner to other service organizations who work on poverty alleviation and development.

International Justice Mission has its interns fundraise for their own living expenses so donors can see that their money is going directly toward prosecuting these cases of child forced prostitution. For a long time, I stressed about whether or not to sign

with IJM and undertake the daunting task of raising the $13,000 it will take for me to live and work in India for a year (this covers everything from airfare to food to visas). The task is especially daunting because this rough economy means I have to rely on a wide-range of people to sacrifice instead of just a few big donors. But after thinking it over, I realized that I needed to stop looking at fundraising as a burden, but instead as an opportunity to tell everyone I know about the human trafficking atrocities I have seen myself and studied. I know that children right now, at this second, are locked up and being raped multiple times a day. Now you do too. I can dedicate my year after graduation to go work on investigating and prosecuting their cases, but I am completely dependent you, the person reading this letter, for food and shelter while I do it. It is an uncomfortable, awkward, and humbling experience to ask for money, but I hope I have at least started making you aware of the very real, very horrendous problem happening in the world right now. More than that, I hope I can become the tangible connection between you and the victims, the kids who in my past experiences have reminded me so much of my little brother that it is unnerving. I appreciate your time, rely on your generosity, and ask you to pass the word along, even if it means telling people to go see the Hollywood version of human trafficking in “Slum Dog Millionaire.”

Thanks,

Katie Dunn [email protected] P.S. - Attached is a sheet that explains “How You Can Help.”

How You Can Help: Donate: You can either donate directly to me or to IJM. If you donate to IJM just make sure to indicate that you are donating in my name (online: comment box on donation page, check: separate piece of paper because my name can’t be on the check for tax-deductible reasons, cash: separate piece of paper as well). *Donations to International Justice Mission are tax-deductable and it does allow the option of a company matching your donation. -

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Go Online- Go to www.ijm.org and click on the “Give” tab. o

Monthly Donor: The best way to donate- make sure my rent gets covered every month. Sign up to get a certain amount withdrawn from your account every month. Be sure to put my name in the comment box.

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One time: Give a lump sum now so I can pay for my plane ticket and visa. Once again, put my name in the comment box.

Write a checko Please make the check payable to International Justice Mission and do not write my name anywhere on the check, including the memo line. Checks written to IJM that have my name appear anywhere on the check will be returned to the donor. Just write on a separate piece of paper that the check is in my name. o Checks to IJM should be mailed directly to me and I will then forward the check to IJM’s headquarters. My home address is 5309 LaVesta Road, Knoxville, TN, 37918. o I can take checks in my own name if you prefer. Just send them to my home address listed above.

Spread the word: -

Tell family, friends, co-workers, and fellow church members about International Justice Mission’s work and how they can donate to it in my name. Pass along my letter, give them my email address ([email protected]), and even set up a time where I can present to your church or work.

Find out more: -

Look around www.ijm.org and learn more about International Justice Mission’s history, read about its field offices around the world, and view video clips of media coverage ranging from NBC news to Oprah. Read the books written by IJM founder, Gary Haugen, “Terrify No More,” “Good News about Injustice,” and “Just Courage” to learn more about what IJM has done and its challenge to Christians.

Stay in touch: -

Give me your email so I can send you updates on what I’m seeing in India.

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Email me at [email protected] with any questions, suggestions, or anything that will make me laugh while I’m away from home.