December 10, 2024

Written by: Brittney Nial, Development Intern at Starfish Project

I discovered Starfish Project when I was sixteen. I was shopping for a Chanukkah gift for my mom, and I wanted it to matter, whatever I got her, more than a piece of gold or a pretty rock matters. I wanted it to mean something. 

At the time, I was newly and deeply passionate about making the world a more equitable place. It upset me, as I think it upsets most of us, that I was born in a situation where I could dream, I could dream big, and I could try and pursue those big crazy dreams, and so, likely, could most of my friends, and many of us even might succeed. We could become doctors and lawyers – for me, a writer – but that there are many kids who lack the ability to dream. They know that they have one option, maybe two if they’re lucky. And sometimes those options aren’t very desirable. 

At Starfish Project, this reality shapes every aspect of operation, to the point that it can be difficult to understand some of our operations, like our outreach team, without understanding what it’s like to be a trafficked woman in Asia.

But I didn’t know that at the time. I was just looking for a Chanukkah gift, and a ring that went to charity seemed like a pretty cool option.

I never forgot Starfish Project, and five years later I had the remarkable opportunity of interning for their Development team. I thought, coming in, that Starfish Project was unique because they combined sectors we often imagine can’t coexist: social good and e-commerce. I was deeply inspired by that, and I still am. But I left… I left with awe.

I guess I should start at the beginning.

My interview with Sarah Kraybill was quite possibly the best Zoom call of my life. I fell instantly in love; it was suddenly like I had another aunt, a soul sister from another generation. That warmth persisted with every interaction with every employee I met at Starfish Project.

And then, in the process of writing emails to go out to our donors, I had the opportunity to speak with a wide variety of Starfish Project employees and the excuse to delve into pretty much every blog post that’s ever been posted. That’s when I learned, really learned, what Starfish Project is about.

Most anti-human trafficking organizations are an in-and-out operation. They come into illegal operations with police, they get the women out, and then… that’s it. That work is valuable, but it misses a large proportion of women, especially in Asia, who could in theory walk away from the brothels, but they’d have nowhere to go. These women make the hard choice to work in demoralizing, often dehumanizing, sometimes abusive situations in order to survive. But it’s not easy to leave.

Starfish Project gives women (survivors) more than an out. They give them a way… up. 

Any woman who joins Starfish Project is immediately connected to staff who advocate for her career development, where she collaborates to form a personally designed learning and skill development path. Many women working in brothels have never had the chance to receive an education, of any kind. Within the organization, women can become department leaders, professional photographers, designers, accountants. Or they can eventually leave and open their own business. That has happened! We’ve also had women master their computer skills and join other local businesses.

This is possible because Starfish Project is more than a jewelry company, but also because they are more than a nonprofit organization. 

It is not an exaggeration to say that working for Starfish Project this summer was quite possibly the most eye-opening, heartwarming, inspiring, and pivotal experience of my career. The business model is incredible. The people are simply the best. And the work is so, so needed.

I guess what I’m saying is, I think you ought to buy some jewelry for the holidays. 

With love, 

Brittney