On Oct. 25, from 3 – 5 p.m., Holy Cross Episcopal Church in Tryon will be hosting an Indian-inspired tea to benefit the victims of sex trafficking and socio-economic oppression in India, the leading country of sex trafficking in the world.

Featured speaker, Annie Fritschner will explain how by partnering with the Episcopal Church in Durgapur, India, women, once safely removed from trafficking, are then given the opportunity for work and self-reliance.

Much of this work is sewing ‘Hearth Scarfs,’ tea towels made from beautiful Indian fabrics, hand-selected by Lisa Clark, founder of ‘The Artful Pear,’ which employs these women and will be available for purchase at the tea with proceeds going directly to support the women of Durgapur.

Said Clark, “This is a project we envision taking all over the world, as well as right here at home. There are estimated to be 30 million in human trafficking (including the U.S.) as we speak, so we have to join hands to help the women and children rise up and get a new start- together we can and have to do something about it.”

Lavish, Indian-inspired cuisine will be offered during the tea with both a festive and enchanting atmosphere created by The Artful Pear and volunteers.

There is a fee for tickets for the tea. For further information, contact Holy Cross Episcopal Church at 828-859-9741.

– article submitted by Lori Walker