Adventures WorldRace SethBarnes Sponsorship Giving

| by archiveworldraceblogs

Before coming on The World Race, some of the world’s problems seemed so distant to me that I didn’t really let them affect me. And now I continually find myself sitting in the same room as these problems. For instance: did you know that one out of every two children in this world is born into poverty? Before this trip, I didn’t know a single one. Now I know hundreds from throughout the world. 

Another problem that affects millions of women, children, and families daily is human trafficking. The statistics on this issue are mind-blowing:

  • 27 million people are trafficked each year.
  • 80% of the prostitutes in Thailand are women, 50% of those women are under 18.
  • 60% of men that fly into BKK International Airport are here for some form of sex tourism.

Some women and girls are promised lives of luxury and wealth, the chance to find love, and a way to support their families back at home. Some girls (often infants) are sold by their families and are raised in brothels. And others are kidnapped and sold, often internationally. Men’s sex change operations are frequently funded by their families, as a way to get their sons involved in this industry. No matter how they come to the industry; they end up being involved in one of the most heartbreaking issues of our time. This problem is real. And it’s all over Thailand.

When first arriving to Phuket, I saw nothing but beauty. White sand beaches, clear blue water … I kept thinking that I would love to come back here on vacation with my people from home. When we met our contact, Mark, he told us more of the details of what goes on in Patong, the city in which we are staying near. Patong is one of the most famous sex trafficking “hot spots” in all of Thailand.
 
A few years back, Mark and his wife Sharon started an organization called SHE; which is where we are working this month. SHE (Self-Help and Empowerment) is an AMAZING organization that helps to bring trafficked women off of the streets and give them training for new jobs. Often, the girls feel stuck; they want to leave, but don’t have the education for another career. SHE offers housing, counseling, English lessons, hospitality/tourism classes, and they make and sell sweets and jewelry. It’s really an awesome program – women can leave their current position and live and work here, get training, and after completing the three month program, SHE helps them to find a job off of the street. 

At first, our mission intimidated me. Our job was to help out around the center during the day, and then recruit women at night. As in, invite the prostitutes to come work for SHE. As it turns out – it’s actually quite rewarding. The women we are recruiting work on Banglar Road – a road containing over 200 bars. The girls work as bartenders, but a ‘customer’ can pay the bar manager to take his employee for the night, and then he also pays the girl directly. The girls are so nice, and love playing games with us and talking to us. We play Jenga and Connect 4. And during conversation, we simply ask them if they like their job. 9 out of 10 girls tell us that they hate it, and always seem interested in coming to visit the center. So, we invite them to lunch and to come tour the center. Most of the girls are free to leave when they want. After they tour and learn more about the center, they are free to come join the staff here. SHE has already helped 50 women off the streets and into better careers and lives. 

Please pray for Phuket, and for our time here. Our team is having an awesome time enjoying island living – it’s truly a gorgeous and incredible place. But – there’s still the dark side of it. Pray for the girls, and for the work being done at SHE. 

Sending all my lovin’ to you back home 😉 see you guys in less than three weeks.
 
PS – Sorry for the lack of pictures!  Thailand is currently in the middle of a national water fight to celebrate the Thai New Year.  You can’t go very far without getting super-soaked or having a bucket of ice water dumped on you!  So, more pictures to come once the craziness ceases!!