NYF is an invaluable partner because they've developed a successful model for solving child slavery, and because they really make every dollar count.
Sausalito, CA (PRWEB) January 31, 2014
As part of its mission to end child slavery, Make a Stand Lemon-aide has chosen Nepal Youth Foundation (NYF) to be one of six organizations to receive a share of the new company's gross revenue. NYF has led the campaign that is ending the Kamlari system of indentured servitude that enslaved girls in Nepal.
Make a Stand is a public benefit corporation working to end child slavery by putting their "Lemon-aid" in retail outlets, starting with 150 grocery stores on the West Coast.
But it all began with a child's lemonade stand.
When Vivienne Harr was eight, she came across a haunting image by acclaimed photographer Lisa Kristine. It was a photo of two young boys with heavy stones strapped to their backs. Vivienne's parents explained that the boys were child slaves, that "slavery didn't end with Abraham Lincoln" — and that, tragically, there are about 18 million child slaves worldwide today.
Vivienne's response was simple, yet powerful. She told her parents, "We need to do something."
Lemonade Stand Makes the News
Vivienne likes to think big. She set a goal to raise $100,000 to support organizations fighting child slavery, and committed to set up her lemonade stand for 365 days straight, rain or shine, asking customers to "pay what's in your heart".
Within a few months, Vivienne's "Make a Stand" campaign was covered by the New York Times, BBC World News, ABC, NBC, CBS, Parenting Magazine, The Huffington Post, FOX, MSNBC, Yahoo News and more than 200 other media outlets across America and around the world.
By day #173, she reached her goal of $100,000. By the end of day #365, Vivienne and her family decided to keep the campaign going by bottling their organic, Fair Trade Certified "lemon-aid" — and Make a Stand, Inc. was born.
NYF Selected as Beneficiary
Make a Stand is donating 5% of their gross sales to six organizations that "do the most documented work in eradicating child slavery," including the Nepal Youth Foundation. The Harrs have also started the nonprofit Make a Stand Foundation to raise additional funds for those six organizations.
We asked Eric Harr, Founder & CEO of Make a Stand, Inc. (and proud dad of Vivienne), why they chose NYF to be part of such a select group. He told us:
"At Make a Stand, we share our 9-year-old founder's vision of a future where all 18 million enslaved children in the world are free and safe. Vivienne likes to say: 'Every dollar counts, because you never know which dollar will free a child who will change the world.' That sums up why we chose Nepal Youth Foundation as one of our carefully vetted recipient organizations. NYF is an invaluable partner because they've developed a successful model for solving child slavery, and because they really know how to make every dollar count."
And Now...the Movie!
The story of Vivienne and Make a Stand is the centerpiece of an inspiring new feature documentary called #standwithme. The film educates viewers about child slavery through the work of Lisa Kristine and two organizations with a global reach: Free the Slaves and Fair Trade USA.
#standwithme includes a scene of a meeting between Vivienne and Olga Murray, NYF's Founder and Honorary President. It's heartwarming to see 9-year old Vivienne and 88-year old Olga talk about their shared passion for ending child slavery.
#standwithme opens in February 2014 with a 30-city tour of North America, and it's certain to earn broader distribution and reach a worldwide audience.
About Nepal Youth Foundation
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The mission of the Nepal Youth Foundation is to transform the lives of impoverished Nepali children by providing them with what should be every child’s birthright — education, housing medical care, and loving support.
Founded in 1990 by Olga Murray, the foundation’s 88-year-old honorary president, NYF has served more than 100,000 destitute Nepali children and their families.
