Ride for Hope 2013

July 6, 2013
by Rodney Olsen
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RideforHope

In 2009, seven Perth cyclists pedalled from Perth to Albany, a distance of over 500 kilometres, raising awareness and funds for Cancer Council Western Australia. Since then the ride has become an annual fundraising event organised by Perth radio station 98five but something is different this year.

I took a trip in December last year to Bangladesh and India to see the excellent work being done through SIMaid’s Girls off the Streets. I was so amazed at the work that is being done to bring hope and healing to young women who have been rescued from sex trafficking that I wanted to broaden the scope of the annual ride. That’s why this year participants have the choice of continuing to support the very worthwhile work of Cancer Council WA or to free women from a past of sexual slavery through SIMaid’s work.

What I saw on my trip was young women, some very young, who had been sexually exploited and sold into prostitution but who are now growing in confidence as they learn to trust again and develop life skills that will give them a strong foundation for life ahead. Girls off the Streets is giving them a future and importantly, letting them know that they are truly loved.

Back in the saddle

This October I’ll once again be taking part in the Morning Cafe Ride for Hope. The ride will involve more than 20 cyclists riding over 500 kilometres from Albany to Perth. As part of the event I’m raising money for SIMaid’s Girls off the Streets. My fund raising target is $1500. To reach that goal I need 15 people who are prepared to donate $100. Can you please consider being one of those people?

Of course I understand that not everyone can afford to be so generous so please consider giving whatever you can. The need is desperate and any donation of $2 or more is tax deductible in Australia. (Donations are still welcome from anywhere in the world.)

If you’d like to make a difference in the lives of young girls who desperately need your support, simply visit our fundraising page and choose my name from the drop down menu as the rider you’d like to support.

Let me thank you in anticipation of your support for this vital program.



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Transformed Lives

March 18, 2013
by Rodney Olsen
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I’m still taking every opportunity to tell people about the trip I took a trip in December last year to Bangladesh and India to see the excellent work being done through SIMaid’s Girls off the Streets. Just to prove I was there you can check out the video above. It’s a seven minute video that was put together for a meeting last Saturday evening where I spoke about the things we experienced and the transformed lives of the girls we met.

I’m amazed at the work that is being done to bring hope and healing to young women who have been rescued from human trafficking. Young women who have been sexually exploited and sold into prostitution are now growing in confidence as they learn to trust again and develop life skills that will give them a strong foundation for life ahead. Girls off the Streets is giving them a future and importantly, letting them know that they are truly loved.

If you haven’t already, let me encourage you to check out Girls off the Streets and find out how you can be part of this project which is bringing hope to those who had lost hope.

Please remember that if you’re part of a church or other group around Perth, and you’d like to hear more, I’m looking for more places to speak up for young girls who can’t. Get in touch with me via my Contact Page so that we can arrange a time and date.



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Telling the story of Girls off the Streets

March 7, 2013
by Rodney Olsen
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I’m still taking every opportunity to tell people about the trip I took a trip in December last year to Bangladesh and India to see the excellent work being done through SIMaid’s Girls off the Streets. Just to prove I was there you can check out the very short video above. 🙂

I’m amazed at the work that is being done to bring hope and healing to young women who have been rescued from human trafficking. Young women who have been sexually exploited and sold into prostitution are now growing in confidence as they learn to trust again and develop life skills that will give them a strong foundation for life ahead. Girls off the Streets is giving them a future and importantly, letting them know that they are truly loved.

If you haven’t already, let me encourage you to check out Girls off the Streets and find out how you can be part of this project which is bringing hope to those who had lost hope.

If you live in the Perth area I want to let you know that I’ll be talking about the trip and sharing some insights at a SIMaid event at Riverton Baptist Church, 38 Modillion Avenue, Shelley, from 7:00 p.m. on Saturday evening the 16th of March.I’ll be talking about my experiences and giving you practical ways to fight human trafficking.

If you can’t make it but you’re part of a church or other group around Perth, and you’d like to hear more, I’m looking for more places to speak up for young girls who can’t. Get in touch with me via my Contact Page so that we can arrange a time and date.



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Let me tell you a story

February 16, 2013
by Rodney Olsen
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India

If you’ve dropped in here over the past couple of months I’m sure you know that I took a trip in December last year to Bangladesh and India to see the excellent work being done through SIMaid’s Girls off the Streets.

I’m amazed at the work that is being done to bring hope and healing to young women who have been rescued from human trafficking. Young women who have been sexually exploited and sold into prostitution are now growing in confidence as they learn to trust again and develop life skills that will give them a strong foundation for life ahead. Girls off the Streets is giving them a future and importantly, letting them know that they are truly loved.

If you haven’t already, let me encourage you to check out Girls off the Streets and find out how you can be part of this project which is bringing hope to those who had lost hope.

If you live in the Perth area I want to let you know that I’ll be talking about the trip and sharing some insights tomorrow night (Sunday the 17th) from 6:30 at Thornlie Church of Christ. I’ll be sharing the stage with Kieran Johnson of SIMaid who was also a part of the trip. We’ll both be talking about our experiences and giving you practical ways to fight human trafficking.

The church is at 319 Spencer Road, Thornlie. It’d be great if you could make it and I’d love to catch up with you after the service.

If you can’t make it but you’re part of a church or other group around Perth, and you’d like to hear more, I’m looking for more places to speak up for young girls who can’t. Get in touch with me via my Contact Page so that we can arrange a time and date.



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Benny Prasad brings his ‘Bentar’ to Perth

January 31, 2013
by Rodney Olsen
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BennyPrasad

I had the privilege of chatting with Benny Prasad a couple of days ago. He’s a man who went from being a sick, depressed 16 year old, shunned by his family and considering suicide, to a musician who has performed at events like the Olympic Games and FIFA World Cup. He also holds the world record by becoming the fastest person to travel to every nation on the globe. That includes 245 nations, including Antarctica, visited in 6 years, 6 months and 22 days.

Benny Prasad is an instrumental guitarist from India. He is well known for designing the Bentar which is the World’s First Bongo Guitar. Today, through his music, Benny brings the Hope in God to thousands of people, traveling to 40-50 countries every year. – Wiki

Benny’s guitar, or bentar, is quite an amazing instrument.

Benny designed this 20 String Harp/Bongo Guitar in October 2006. The building of the guitar was completed on May 14, 2007. It was built by Tulsi Guitars – (Chennai, India). It has 6 strings, 2 Bongos and a 14 String Harp.

If you want to hear my chat with Benny about his incredible life, and hear him play, click the play button on the audio player below.



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