East Asia

Partners since 2016

About

Starfish Project began in 2006 as a small group of friends who could no longer simply walk by the women and girls they observed being exploited around their city. None of them had a business or jewelry design background, but they shared a desire to restore hope and bring freedom. The women began by visiting brothels and building relationships with the women and girls they met. They learned that many were tricked by people they loved and even sold into brothels. The following year, five women made the incredibly brave decision to escape their lives of exploitation. Knowing that this was only the first step to freedom, the founders worked to launch a business that would offer employment to their new friends while celebrating their value and beauty–and Starfish Project was born.

  • East Asia

Flourishing World Initiative Grant Recipient

  • In the fall of 2022, a $4,000 Flourishing World grant was provided for twenty-seven women who had just left their old lives behind and were beginning a new chapter at Starfish Project.
  • This grant provided holistic care, including safe housing, healthcare, child care, life coaching, counseling, and trauma related mental health therapies to help the women heal.
  • In addition, the program provides educational grants and training such as literacy, math, and basic computer skills to empower the women now and into the future.

Stories of Flourishing

  • Mae Lee
    “My parents thought it was a waste of time and money for girls to be educated,” Mae Lee shares. “I would stand at the gate of the school trying to listen, hoping that I could learn things like those students one day.” Today, that little girl’s hope has become a reality. “I have been learning how to read and write through the classes Starfish Project provides,” Mae Lee says proudly. “I am even studying English and computers. I am so happy that I am finally able to learn as a student.”
  • Lia
    Starfish’s newest photographer in training, Lia, had the incredible career development opportunity to photograph a full collection of jewelry! The beautiful photography was Lia’s first official training with the camera. In her first lesson, led by Mae Lee, Lia learned how to turn the camera on and off and adjust settings. Next, Mae Lee simply asked her to try her hand at taking whiteboard photos. Lia shared that she was nervous yet excited to get behind the camera. She tried, practiced, asked for help, and she did it!

In the making…