Singer-songwriter Jason Mraz shared his experience after a recent trip to Africa. While visiting the country of Ghana, Mraz worked to help children subjected to inhumane slave labor.
Mraz went to Ghana with a non-profit organization known as Free The Slaves. After five days of working with children who had been subjected to slave labor, the singer answered some questions about the trip, reported the Associated Press.
“When I first arrived at the shelter, the kids were applauding us and singing songs for us, and it just showed me it doesn’t take too much time for a child, once he’s free, to return to being a child,” Mraz told the Associated Press.
Mraz said in his interview that he did not actually free any children from slavery while on the trip but did get some first-hand experience with the environment surrounding the issue.
“I was not part of a rescue that actually freed a child because as I discovered, with many of the rescue missions a trafficker, an owner of a child, a slave master will hide that child,”said Mraz.
The singer recently celebrated his 33rd birthday and said there is a lot to be grateful for. The singer gained success with his hit single “I’m Yours,” which got regular radio play after it’s release in 2008.
Mraz was also selected by the Surf Industry Manufacturers Association (SIMA) to receive a Humanitarian of the Year Award. Mraz will accept the award at the Liquid Ball 7 on August 14 in LaJolla, California.
The non-profit organization Free The Slaves was formed in part by the inspiration resulting from the publishing of the book “Disposable People” by Dr. Kevin Bales. The book is based on the lives of people who are trapped by the chains of modern day slavery.
The book indicates that an estimated 27 million people are being forced into slavery despite the fact that it is illegal. A copy of “Disposable People” can be purchased through the Free The Slaves website www.freetheslaves.net .
Mraz went to Ghana with a non-profit organization known as Free The Slaves. After five days of working with children who had been subjected to slave labor, the singer answered some questions about the trip, reported the Associated Press.
“When I first arrived at the shelter, the kids were applauding us and singing songs for us, and it just showed me it doesn’t take too much time for a child, once he’s free, to return to being a child,” Mraz told the Associated Press.
Mraz said in his interview that he did not actually free any children from slavery while on the trip but did get some first-hand experience with the environment surrounding the issue.
“I was not part of a rescue that actually freed a child because as I discovered, with many of the rescue missions a trafficker, an owner of a child, a slave master will hide that child,”said Mraz.
The singer recently celebrated his 33rd birthday and said there is a lot to be grateful for. The singer gained success with his hit single “I’m Yours,” which got regular radio play after it’s release in 2008.
Mraz was also selected by the Surf Industry Manufacturers Association (SIMA) to receive a Humanitarian of the Year Award. Mraz will accept the award at the Liquid Ball 7 on August 14 in LaJolla, California.
The non-profit organization Free The Slaves was formed in part by the inspiration resulting from the publishing of the book “Disposable People” by Dr. Kevin Bales. The book is based on the lives of people who are trapped by the chains of modern day slavery.
The book indicates that an estimated 27 million people are being forced into slavery despite the fact that it is illegal. A copy of “Disposable People” can be purchased through the Free The Slaves website www.freetheslaves.net .
