Second Chance Ministry
>Strategic, Practical, & Comprehensive Long Term Solutions
Thailand is a major hub for sex trafficking and prostitution. It is estimated that 40% of those involved in prostitution in Thailand are underaged.
Many are sold or forced into a virtual slavery by their own families who are lured by promises of financial gain. Still other are duped into believing that they will travel to another place in order to work as waitresses or house keepers. Once they have arrived, their traffickers bring them into the bondage of prostitution through threats, drug addiction, and other means. Most are threatened with their lives or the lives of their family members if they attempt to escape.
Second Chance ministry is a new initiative started by the Haven Foundation to bring real and lasting solutions to this epidemic as well as help those who have been lured in by the financial gain of prostitution and are looking for a way out.
We have already rescued girls from this slavery here in Thailand without a comprehensive strategy. We have seen first hand the face and destruction this evil causes to those who are victimized by it but we have also learned how to operate in wisdom.
Hard Lessons: The Story of “Fawn”
Below is a story from one failed rescue that served to help us learn what was truly needed to provide a real solution to those who want out.
Sold at eight years old an owner to pay her father’s debt, Fawn* was sexually abused repeatedly by her “owner.” She ran away at age thirteen to her uncle who repeatedly raped her instead of helping her. She became pregnant by him, had the child, and found her way into our Haven children’s home while her baby went to another local orphanage.
Over time, Fawn came to love Jesus and receive a new life. But sadly one day the authorities showed up with her “owner” and title deed of sale to her. At gun point we had to give her back or face false charges of pedophilia. All of our homes, children, and ministries were at risk of being affected.
When we went to a higher official, he too sided with the officers and her “owner.” It was then that we better understood how many levels of corrupt authority are involved in the process of trafficking.
As an adult, Fawn still comes back around the church. She even brings her “customers” sometimes. She says repeatedly that she loves Jesus, but she is under “bosses” and needs something more to help her get free.
After this gut wrenching incident, we knew that we had to do something more, something different, something more comprehensive.
A Multi-Faceted Problem Requires a Comprehensive Solution
This precious girl is the model for our “Second Chance” ministry.
She wanted to be free, but was unable to receive freedom. This is the harsh reality of the problem of human trafficking in Asia. While many in the Western world are becoming awakened to the issue of human trafficking, it is not as simple as some may have us believe. It involves issues of family, culture, greed, power, corruption at high levels of authority.
Someone like “Fawn” needs comprehensive help that includes a safe house, emotional and spiritual counseling, medical assistance, vocational retraining, family support, and a “second chance” at reintegration into Thai society. This is what we endeavor to provide.
Through our four stage strategy, we will help these vulnerable girls do just that.
The Pilot Program Launch
Chiang Mai, the second largest city in Thailand, is the launch point for the pilot program. Once Chiang Mai has been established the goal is for the strategy and program to be replicated in many other parts of Thailand. Other locations under consideration are the illicit sex capitals of Asia, Pattaya and Phuket.
The Challenge
>Our minimum monthly start up budget is $2,000 usd which will be used for staff support, admin overhead, and the ongoing training programs for the girls which include a 6 month and 18 month program.
>We also are planning to build a safe house in a new remote area to help these girls find a new start, a second chance. We need individuals, businesses, and NGO’s to bring this project into full reality asap.
> Please contact us to learn more about how you, your business, or advocacy group can partner with us to see this vital ministry established.
* The name of this girl has been changed in the story to protect her identity. We have a policy of information on a need to know basis for this ministry and extreme caution in the marketing of it to others.