Invitation from JOAN DARBY to Help Create a More Just World by December 10

On behalf of my friend Karen Tse, the founder of the legal nonprofit International Bridges to Justice (IBJ: www.ibj.org), I am asking you to join me in supporting IBJ. Karen started IBJ after a pivotal experience in Cambodia where she met a 12 year old boy accused of stealing a bicycle who had been detained, tortured by the police, denied access to counsel and languished in prison without a trial date or access to a defender to protect his rights. Recognizing that political prisoners often receive the support of the international community, but prisoners like this young boy do not, Karen founded IBJ in the year 2000 to build systematic support for the hundreds of thousands of prisoners, just like this boy, in countries throughout the world who could significantly benefit from receiving legal assistance. Every day, Karen leads IBJ in an uphill battle against injustice. Her organization has expanded to 16 countries, with permanent staff in China, Cambodia, Rwanda, Burundi, Zimbabwe and India. Slowly, Karen’s dream is becoming a reality through the hard work of IBJ’s staff, volunteers and partners. IBJ is now facing greater demand for its services than ever, and its programs are no less ambitious, requiring additional resources. Karen's has dared to dream: "We can end torture as an investigative tool in this century if we as a world community decide to do it. It was the belief of small groups of committed people dedicated to ending slavery in the 19th century and ending apartheid in the 20th century that each time made it happen, proving wrong the well-intentioned skeptics who said it was wildly idealistic and just not possible. With the kernel of such hope and belief, we can decide that it is possible to end torture and that we are going to make it happen.” IBJ has provided the roadmap to do it and we can help IBJ achieve the dream. A private donor has challenged IBJ with the pledge of $125,000 to match contributions that I, you and others make by December 10, International Human Rights Day. Please join me in helping Karen to continue her courageous work by making a contribution to IBJ before that date. That you give is more important than whether your gift is large or small: every dollar you give by December 10 will be matched, effectively doubling its impact as IBJ continues to create a more just world. Thanks for your contribution to the effort!