Kjerstin is a Girl that can Go! (All the way to India!)
Imagine that you have flown the 30 hour flight to India. You have taken the 9 hour bus ride from Hyderbad to the small town of Tenali in Andrha Pradesh, India. You are now in front of a crowd of starving, sick and desperate Indian people. You are passing out bananas and bread to small children and the thought in your head isn’t “smile and hug the children” it’s “I feel fat. I wish I didn’t eat breakfast. I want to purge.” This exact predicament is what an eating disorder does to a girl. No matter where she is or the circumstance she is paralyzed in her thoughts. She is a girl that can’t go beyond her thoughts and definitely can not help others.
This is why Rewrite Beautiful is Changing how girls see beauty in themselves. If a girl does not see the beauty in herself she can not help others to see the beauty in themselves. There are millions of girls today that are not only paralyzed from helping people in other nations, they are paralyzed from just being present for their families. There are girls who stay locked in their rooms because they don’t like the way their jeans look on them. We believe no one deserves to hidden from the world, no matter what they look like in their jeans. The world misses out when these girls are not present. This is why we are trying to create Girls that can Go and use their talents, passions and education to help others in need.
When girls are healthy and outside of their bedrooms and not obsessing about the size of their jeans they do amazing things and start amazing organizations like these:
31 Bits www.31Bits.com
Founded by: Brooke, Alli, Anna, Kallie
The Go: A mission trip to Uganda
Vision: 31 Bits works with women inNorthern Uganda. The Ugandan women make awesome jewelry that is sold here in the US. The money is sent back to the women so they can sustain their lives. 31 Bits "strives to build a loving community that cares for individuals’ spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical needs."
International Princess Project www.intlprincess.org
Founded by: Shannon Keith
The Go: A mission trip to India
Vision: IPP helps Indian women get out of prostitution by giving them the opportunity to learn a new trade, Punjammie making! These women make gorgeous Punjammies (Pajama pants made out of beautiful Indian fabric). The women once enslaved in the sex trade not only have the opportunity to support themselves with a skill and dignity, but they also are provided a place to live and to heal in body and spirit and to live lives of freedom. 
Isanctuary www.isanctuary.org
Founded by: Stephanie Pallaro
The Go: A mission trip to India
Vision: iSanctuary exists to provide opportunities for girls who were formerly in the sex trade to grow, gain restoration, and eventually sustain themselves by earning an income as they reintegrate into society. Another awesome jewelry making venture...iSanctuary gives the girls the opportunity to create jewelry that is sold in the US and the profits are sent back to support them. "Education and vocational training combat one of the most significant factors that make women and girls vulnerable to trafficking and poverty." Just a little FYI: Many women in 3rd world countries go into the sex trade because they have no education thus they have no skills and selling their bodies is the only job available for them.
Iam Hope and Healing www.iamhopeandhealing.org
Founded by: Hallie Kotrla
The Go: San Diego, California
Vision: I AM is a safe and secure place for women and men who struggle with anorexia, bulimia, compulsive overeating, binge eating disorders and body image issues, as well as any associated problems related to these areas. IAM helps newly recovering ED survivors find Sober Living, Sponsors, Meetings and a community of support.
This is just a glimpse of what Girls that can Go do. It takes a ton of work to start and run organizations like these. I hope these girls inspire you to either get healthy enough to Go or support girls that Go.
On an Inspirational note: Harvest India is a non-profit organization based in Southern India that helps every person under the Indian sun in need in the name of Jesus Christ. The pastor, Suresh Kumar is visiting the US right now. I ran into him the other day. He asked me about Rewrite Beautiful, I told him about us going into schools and changing the way girls see beauty in themselves, he was excited. Then I told him that the vision is that these girls would eventually turn into women who are equipped to Go to India and serve other women. I got a classic, thumbs up from Suresh, a head nod and a “Good job man! God job!” If I do say so myself, “Right on!” I hope all of you girls know that you have something in you that you need to GO and give to others, small or big you have it to share. And I hope all you boys keep encouraging all us gals to GO and be the women we were created to be.
