In 1990, the age of a young girl in a bar/brothel was 17. In 1999, the age dropped to 14 and then to 12 in 2000. In 2003, the age plunged to 3. Imagine a 3 year old girl or boy being raised to be used and abused. In the past 21 years, the age keeps dropping lower and lower.
Now take a look at your son or daughter; your niece or nephew. Take a look at the children playing in your neighborhood. Take a look at the kids at school. Now think of a young girl or boy thousands of miles away, living without the love, safety, and comfort that most of the children in our communities receive every day.
But there is hope. Not all is lost. There are people out there dedicating their lives to saving children before they get into sex trafficking industry. And I had the opportunity of work with people such as these this past month.
Remember Nhu is a home for children of all ages. Here, they have been saved from the possibility of getting into the industry and have been given the chance to have a better home, a better life, and more hope for their future.
Remember Nhu was started by an American couple in 2007. They saw the need and answered God’s calling to them work on preventing children from entering the industry in Thailand. To this day, have rescued more than 400 children!
The name Remember Nhu is from a story the couple heard, about a 14 year old girl being sold into the industry by her grandmother. She endured abuse both physically and verbally, among many other things. They were determined to find this young girl. After years of searching, the couple finally found her. At the age of 21, she now assists in running a nail and hair salon, something has always dreamed of doing.
Even though I came into Thailand wanting to go into bars and make relationships with the women there, I am so glad that God called me to be at Remember Nhu. It’s so awesome to wake up to so many smiling faces and happy giggling. And, if you’re lucky, you may find one standing over you as you wake up!!
