Starfish Project

In 2007, during an Easter party we held in the red light district, five women made the incredibly brave decision to escape their lives of exploitation. Knowing that leaving the brothel was only the first step in experiencing freedom, we launched full force into starting a business that would offer employment to our new friends — some of whom had never been to school a day in their life. Inspired by our vision to celebrate the value and beauty of each woman, our jewelry company was born. We rented a bright and cheery two-bedroom apartment with a hilarious orange sofa, and this space became our shelter and production area. The women made their first pairs of earrings around the dining room table.

THE STARFISH PARABLE

One day, an old man was walking along a beach that was littered with thousands of starfish that had been washed ashore by the high tide. As he walked he came upon a young boy who was eagerly throwing the starfish back into the ocean, one by one.

Puzzled, the man looked at the boy and asked what he was doing. Without looking up from his task, the boy simply replied, “I’m saving these starfish, Sir”.

The old man chuckled aloud, “Son, there are thousands of starfish and only one of you. What difference can you make?”

The boy picked up a starfish, gently tossed it into the water and turning to the man, said,

“I made a difference to that one!”