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Free Like a Butterfly
By : Saxon Henry
When a lowly caterpillar morphs into a beautiful butterfly, the paradoxical quality of the transformation couldn't be more surprising. Equally amazing is the metamorphosis of the lives of girls who are taken out of horrid situations and given hope thanks to The Born2Fly Project. "Each year millions of kids are lured into sex slavery because they don't know the deceptive tactics of traffickers," says Diana Scimone, director of the organization. "If we could warn children and their parents ahead of time as to the lies traffickers use, millions of kids would never enter that dark world."
To celebrate the progress made in heightening awareness and to raise money for future efforts, Born2Fly is holding A Butterfly Tea Party at The Garden Gate Tea Room in Mount Dora, Fla., on Dec. 11 at 2 p.m. The centerpiece of the event will be jewelry made by the women and children rescued from abuse, which will be for sale. "We purchase the jewelry directly from safe houses where rescued women and girls live and work all over the world," explains Jané Gautier-Shadoin, who founded The Butterfly Project, an Orlando-based organization that markets the jewelry and provides some of its proceeds to Born2Fly. "In doing so, we provide vital funds to help them with living expenses as they heal and build new lives."
Scimone, a writer and journalist who has reported extensively on issues of human rights and justice around the globe, and Gautier-Shadoin, a fashion stylist, planned the afternoon-long festival for the month of December because the jewelry made by the survivors of human trafficking can be a "feel-good" Christmas gift. Their event will also feature a fashion show of international costumes from Scimone's private collection. "We promise lots of butterfly-themed surprises!" she remarks.
The four-course menu is no exception with Butterfly sorbet among the offerings, which also include a petite salmon soufflé salad, and scones with Devonshire cream and jam. Gautier-Shadoin says of their efforts, "Purchasing the jewelry is a small step that makes a big difference in the lives of many. It's a powerful way to help these women and girls experience the dignity, hope and freedom to create something beautiful—something beautiful that has come out of disaster."
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