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Slaves of a New Era
Name given to the inaugural campaign created to launch our global initiative People for Children in 2004. A joint effort between the RMF and the Inter American Development Bank (IDB), the campaign main objective was to create awareness of the existence of child exploitation. Slaves of A New Era became the starting point of what would be the first outreach effort made by an international celebrity of Ricky Martin’s caliber on this issue.

The purpose was to educate the general public about child sexual exploitation - one of the despicable consequences of child trafficking- in Latin America with a series of Public Service Announcements (PSA’s) featuring our President. The PSA’s were distributed in a mass media campaign in Puerto Rico & Latin America. Today, the subject is no longer taboo.

Education is Freedom. 		  

Rescue & Restore Victims of Human Trafficking

In June 2005, the Ricky Martin Foundation partnered with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to combat human trafficking. The national public awareness campaign dubbed Rescue & Restore Victims of Human Trafficking consists of Spanish and English PSA’s, featuring Mr. Martin for television and radio that include a hotline number that enables citizens in the United States as well as in Puerto Rico to denounce this crime. It also provides assistance to potential victims.

With this campaign we strengthened our role as educators in this taboo subject and encourage citizens to act. The bilingual call to action also allowed the public to denunciate human trafficking as well as provide victims support from experts.

After the partnership with HHS, our role as advocates gained international recognition in Latin America. Various countries requested our voice in their call to action efforts in the region to deter this crime. 


Don't let anyone shatter your dreams

In alliance with International Organization for Migration (IOM - Colombia) and the Inter-Institutional Committee against Human Trafficking in Persons led by the Colombian Government and the Inter American Development Bank (IDB) launched an awareness campaign with Public Service Announcements -featuring RM as a combatant of human trafficking- that include IOM hotlines that provide free information and assistance to potential victims.

Objective: A call to action in Colombia was vital since around 35,000 boys and girls are victims of sexual exploitation in this country. The popularity of Ricky Martin will ensure that Colombian youth react to his message. The hotlines have received more than 14,800 calls from citizens. The campaign was launched in March 2006 in Bogota.

Life For The Katrina Children Relief Fund

On September 9th, 2005, we witnessed firsthand the reality that the youngest survivors were experimenting in Houston. The donations received by our activists, individuals and corporations were destined to various organizations that specialize in helping children overcome the trauma of a natural disaster. Popular Inc., as a social responsible corporation, destined an initial grant to RMF. On January 2006, the RMF donated two middle schools in Houston humanitarian support for after school programs and psychological assistance to the youngest survivors. Katrina’s effort concluded last January tanks to the support of corporations and individuals!

 Thailand Relief Fund
In alliance with Habitat for Humanity, we constructed 224 homes in Thailand for 1,000 families, allowing us to protect children from potential exploitation. 

On December 26th, one of the most devastating natural disasters in history caused the death of thousands of people in Asia. As Martin watched the tragic events unfold, he decided to travel to Thailand with the Foundation in order to witness firsthand the needs of this most vulnerable population. Countless children lost their parents after the tsunami, and were left to the mercy of those who profit from the innocent.
In order to adequately assess the needs of the people and to delineate an action plan, Martin visited Phuket and Phang Nga (coastal provinces located to the south of Bangkok) in January 2005. Along with government officials and support of international organizations, the Foundation visited orphanages, schools, shelters, fishing villages, and the morgue.

  

After the visit, the Foundation realized that in order to restitute the livelihood of such a population it was crucial to safeguard the orphans. The risks of falling victims to sexual abuse, labor exploitation, or human trafficking would undoubtedly increase without a home.

Few months after the tsunami, the Foundation announced a partnership with Habitat for Humanity to construct homes in Phuket. With a home, the Foundation and Habitat certainly brought hope to the lives of many. In June of 2005 the Foundation traveled again to Thailand, since Martin had made certain that he would visit Phang Nga prior to his musical tour.Not only did the UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador handed the keys to the first 30 owners, but helped the volunteers construct one of the 224 homes. Martin thanked the local and international volunteers for their solidarity, and encourages individuals, as well as potential corporate partners and international entities, to join the global effort.


The project is 100% complete. Thanks for your unconditional support on behalf of the youngest survivors.

Click here to view the photo gallery of our visit to Thailand.

 

COMING SOON!