The War of a Wage

For one month, I posed as a laborer looking for work in a garment factory. I went to see the conditions of these places. From my experience, I visited and inquired about the wages of apparel factories in Bangkok, Thailand. I saw the work in these factories that are producing products for many name brand companies. I went to 13 factories and every one treated their employees very poorly. Some of them make only $3 for one day of work. They do not value the people who work for them. 

Many of these companies hire people who travel from surrounding poor countries. They come to Thailand with hopes to make more money than they could in their home country. The company hires people who do not have documents for Thailand. This way they do not have to pay the workers a fair and legal wage. The employee will not report them to authorities or else they will lose their job.

The condition of a Victoria’s Secret factory where Burmese refugee workers were seamstresses is not safe. The place is not clean and the wage is quite low, lower than the legal minimum wage. These staff work 15 hours every day with little break. They are treated very badly. It was difficult for me to see these women in this place. Their faces were sad and they worked very hard. 

Many other factories that produce Levi’s jeans also paid lower wages to make products that are sold in the store at a high price. This place is also very unsafe. There were heavy chemicals and it was hard to breathe. Men did not have proper masks to protect themselves. They also wore sandals when they operated big dangerous machines. It was very hard for me to know they are paid very little and these clothing and shoes are so expensive. 

The hard labor in low-paying production makes me feel as though no one cares for them. Not the owner of the factory, not the company who hired them, not anyone who manages them in the factory, and not the law enforcement who is supposed to make sure the companies are following the law. 

After seeing so many factories treat Burmese refugees so poorly, I do not want to purchase anything from their company. The people of Myanmar are suffering in a civil war and they come to Thailand to find safety and to provide for their family. The place they come to is not safe and now they are in a different kind of danger. They now have a different kind of fear.

Only two companies paid the legal wage, but the factory was still not good. They were clean, but the people were not treated well. 

I don't want to support the products of these companies. They do not care about people. They only care about money. Many times I have cried for these people in the factories. I want to support companies and factories who treat people the way God would want them to be treated. 

The Vegetable Garden

It’s just a vegetable garden. And a small one at that. Several leafy plants are growing from the rocky soil, reaching out of the ground to get as much sunlight as possible. Pots of herbs and tiny sprouts line the outside of the garden. A single red rose has bloomed amongst all the green. There’s really nothing special about this tiny plot of land. 

But if you only knew what it took to create it. It’s not the time the owner spent tending the soil or planting the seeds, but rather the time the owner spent wandering aimlessly without a home, without hope. It’s not that she planted the vegetables just right so they can get enough sun, it’s that she lived without a roof over her head for so long that the clear night sky was no longer beautiful. The majority of her life lived in slavery, and her display of freedom is a vegetable garden.

When I speak to the owner, I begin to wonder about her. How does she still know how to smile when her joy was stolen from her and placed for sale? When did the sunrise become beautiful to her again? What did it feel like to have her metaphorical shackles removed after they’d worn themselves into her wrists? How is it that I can hardly tell they were there in the first place? Joy shines from her like a single red rose blooming amongst the green. I don’t know how she’s managed to heal. All I know is that I see freedom, and it’s a vegetable garden. 

Where Dreams Come True

The sun is just beginning to set. The straps of her heels are fastened on tightly. Her fitted dress is zipped up. Makeup is applied carefully to her face. The kids have been put to bed. It’s time for work. She walks slowly down the sidewalk, trying not to roll her ankle on the uneven ground. She steps over trash littered on the street, tossed away by a stranger without a care. There’s music with a pounding beat in the background. She keeps walking. The music gets louder. She arrives at the bar on time. Other women are there, ready to work. They were all children with different dreams at one point, but they’ve all ended up at the same place. She sits at the front of the bar, waiting for a customer. Who will it be this time? What will he think of her? Maybe this time, it will work out. Maybe he’ll love her for who she really is. Maybe this time, she won’t be left feeling like trash littered on the street, tossed away by a stranger without care. Maybe he’ll decide she has worth. Maybe he’ll even marry her. Maybe, just maybe, he’ll make her dreams come true.

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The sun is just beginning to rise. She slips on her sandals. She dresses in a comfortable blouse and jeans. The kids are at school. It’s time for work. She walks steadily down the sidewalk, knowing exactly where to go. She admires a flower growing beautifully out of a crack in the street, surviving and flourishing despite its surroundings. There’s music with a pounding beat in the background. She keeps walking. The music gets quieter. She arrives at her salon on time. Other stylists are there, ready to work. They were all slaves with different backgrounds at one point, but they’ve all ended up at the same place. She sits at the front of the salon, waiting for a customer. Who will it be this time? What will they need to hear? Maybe this time, they’ll be someone in need of hope. Maybe they’ll need to hear about the One who loves her for who she really is. Maybe they’ll need to hear about the One who helped her grow beautifully out of a bar on a street, surviving and flourishing despite her surroundings. Maybe they’ll need to hear about the One who’s taught her that she’s priceless. Maybe they’ll even need to hear that He can do that for them, too. After all, He made her dreams come true.

Project Baan

At Free Rain, our mission is to provide freedom and justice to those in need. We seek to provide safety for those coming from human trafficking, exploitation, domestic violence, and extreme poverty. Since we began in 2016, years we’ve seen thousands of people be freed and prevented from exploitation. As our organization grows, so does our vision.

Those who are freed from exploitation and oppression are often forced to go back to the same place where the bad circumstances began. They’ll likely be taken back to the village where they grew up in poverty and were abused. Healing can’t happen in those same environments if they are experiencing the same things that caused them harm in the first place. 

When Gideon came to me and said he found a small plot of land just 15 minutes away from our training center, I said, “Let’s buy it,” without hesitation. It was well within our budget and I felt that we’d be foolish not to get it. From there we began planning. We knew three small homes would fit on the property comfortably, and we knew exactly who needed those homes. 

At the same time as we were securing this plot of land, my home church, Crossroads, was planning their annual short term trip to visit our program. When speaking with the team lead, Lisa Mitchison, she was excited to jump on and help with our first home. When they got here, she let us know that they would be financially supporting our first three homes. Instant ugly tears came rolling down my cheeks.

Team members Ashleigh, Chris, Gene, and Scott came to help get the land prepared for the foundation. They also helped install the septic system. Over the next month local construction workers built the frame, laid bricks, and secured the roof. A plumber came to install the water supply and an electrician installed the lights. I went shopping with Awe, our project manager, for all the furniture. 

The day came to give the first house to the woman who needed it. She is in our Sew Free program and is one of our lead crochet artisans. This woman has experienced domestic violence, labor exploitation, and sexual exploitation. If anyone deserved a place to call home, it's her. I gave her the keys and she smiled, cried, and nervous-laughed the whole way through her new home. It was a moment that will stay with me forever.

Our second and third homes were completed in April. One will go to another seamstress in Sew Free, who was once homeless. The other will remain empty for emergency housing for women we meet during outreach. This way there is a safe and secure location away from their trafficker. 

As a result of the success of our annual gala we now have the ability to build 10 more homes for people in need. 

This is the start of a new kind of community for those that have escaped trafficking, domestic violence, and abuse. Those who live here will find freedom and healing from the trauma they survived. I pray they find hope for themselves, their family, and their future.

The Widow's Mite

Church here in Thailand is on Saturday. Every weekend on Saturday morning, many gather from a local impoverished community in North Pattaya to hear a message from the pastor, Gideon. Some, like me, go on motorbikes and a few go in cars. Most go by foot. Some with shoes. Some without shoes. But we go, and we all gather together to hear the Word and have a meal afterward.

I’ve watched this tiny slum church grow and serve the community so generously. They have built and fed and clothed this community with dignity.

This week I sat next to an elderly woman and her granddaughter. Sweet smiles, no shoes, and full of joy! On the other side of the aisle were 3 elderly women who walked 2 miles in their finest Thai dresses for church. Behind us were all our Sew Free ladies greeting everyone who walked in the door. Kids running around during worship who were so happy with dirty little feet. Their moms were helping cook food for everyone to enjoy after service.

Then, worship began and the room erupted with joy. Everyone was jumping and dancing and clapping. It’s always a party at Gideon’s church!

Eventually, it came time for tithes and offering. Everyone was sitting back in their seats and reaching in their pockets for the moment they would faithfully give to the church. A verse on generosity was shared, but few people were paying close attention. They were busy counting out their money. The woman I sat next to began counting out the coins in her pocket. She handed a few small coins to her granddaughter telling her to place them in the bag when it passed by. I turned slightly and saw a few of our sewing ladies count out their money. Across the aisle a few more were counting coins.

The bag began getting passed around and every person sitting in the church gave an offering. Every time it came to a new person, you could hear the coins hitting the bottom of the bag. They had no shoes, no cars, no motorbikes, and yet every single person gave. I was sitting in a church full of widows as they gave their last two mites. 

It humbled me to my core. I’m privileged to sit with people who care so deeply for their community that they would truly give all they have.

White Out

Six students sit around a table, all learning at their own pace. Their eyes are fixed on sheets of paper set before them while their teacher watches, listens, and speaks. The students are studying a new language in the hopes that it will help them obtain a bright future. They carefully write on the paper, articulating consonants and vowels. One of them uses a ruler to keep his lines as perfect as possible. Some copy the writing precisely, but don’t really understand the word they’ve written. The teacher coaches the students to shape their mouths differently when they speak- they’ve only known one way since their childhood. She teaches them the importance of knowing the difference between yesterday, today, and tomorrow. What they’ve done, are doing, and will do. These creations of God have been told their whole lives they must be perfect- and so they try. And they fail. Their mistakes are stained on the paper, written in pen with no way to go back. White out is applied to the paper, but all it can do is cover the ink. Its message is obvious: something went wrong here. This work is flawed. Scarred. But the teacher is kind and full of grace, despite her students’ disappointment. Her gentle smile and warm eyes reflect her love for them. She knows they aren’t perfect. There is more paper, more opportunities to grow, and more grace than they know. They’re learning more than they realize. They are learning how to live a completely different life. They are learning that their value doesn’t come from their bodies or what they do. They are learning what it means to be loved. They are learning that there’s a God who sacrificed everything for their sake, so that they can be free.

7.9 billion people dwell in the world, all living at their own pace. Their eyes are fixed on a temporary life set before them while God watches, listens, and speaks. The people seek their desires in the hopes that it will help them obtain a bright future. They recklessly pursue a life they’ve planned, articulating opinions and feelings. Some use God’s law to keep their life as “perfect” as possible. They follow it precisely, but don’t understand Who they’re following. They don’t know how to shape their hearts differently- they’ve only known one way since their childhood. Their yesterday is broken, their today is unfulfilled, and their tomorrow is unknown. What have they done? What are they doing? What will they do? These creations of God have been told their whole lives they must be perfect- and so they try. And they fail. Their mistakes are stained on their lives, written in sin with seemingly no way to go back. White out could not possibly cover their brokenness. These works are flawed. Scarred. But God is kind and full of grace, despite His creation’s rebellion. His sacrifice and forgiveness reflect His love for us. He knows we aren’t perfect. There is more life, more opportunities to grow, and more grace than we know. We are loved more than we realize. This is a love that transforms our lives. This is an undeserved love that can’t be earned. This is a love that reaches us uniquely. This is a love that will sacrifice everything so that we can be reunited with our Father. This is His love. 

What Does Recovery Look Like?

The dictionary defines recovery as “the regaining of or possibility of regaining something lost or taken away.” But the journey of healing truly doesn’t fall into a defined box, because every person has a different story. We see recovery happen before our eyes in so many different ways:

1. We see recovery through laughter. The students are not just learning to cut and style hair, they are learning to be okay with making mistakes and to be persistent. Nobody’s perfect, and laughter is truly one of the best medicines.

2. We see recovery through tears. Sometimes the hardest step is knowing where you’ve been hurt. The same way a doctor must diagnose a problem to fix it, we must know where we’ve been wounded to truly heal. But diagnosis can be one of the most painful parts of the healing process. 

3. We see recovery through faith. We work with people who have no reason to trust us. But we’ve seen God profoundly change their lives and hearts- He is doing “immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us.” (Ephesians 3:20)

4. We see recovery through fellowship. The survivors are learning to build healthy relationships where they can trust and encourage each other. They are learning that they are not alone in their healing journey, that others are standing beside them and know what they’re going through.

5. We see recovery through service. Our staff and former students have used their past experiences to teach and encourage others that they can have hope for the future, because God cares for them.

Ultimately we seek to prove the dictionary definition wrong- there is no “possibility” of regaining what has been lost or taken away. There will be healing and reconciliation through Jesus. He is making all things new.

In the Sewing Room

What could I possibly learn from sitting in a sewing room? What could I possibly see? Five women sit in the room, working, creating, and dreaming together. Two are weaving yarn, using a clothing rack as a loom. Two more are sitting on the floor: one is carefully embroidering squares of fabric, and the other crochets. The last woman is working at a sewing machine in the corner. They smile at each other as they work, kindness, and experience in their eyes. Large shelves line one of the walls. One half of the shelves hold stacks of yarn skeins, organized by color. The other side is filled with their finished projects-they’ve been stitched with love. I ask what their favorites are. They show me, and ask what my favorite is. I don’t know. How can I pick from these labors of love? I look out the large window in the room that overlooks the city, and look back at them. I see the freedom in their eyes. I see how they love each other. I see how God has healed them. I see peace.

What could I possibly learn from sitting in a sewing room? What could I possibly hear? The five women talk to each other while they work, laughing and sharing joy. Occasionally, the sewing machine interrupts with a loud hum. The fan blows softly on us. I can hear the steady rhythm of an embroidery needle pulling thread through cloth. Somehow, though there’s no music, there is still worship. I hear the sound of captives being set free. I hear how they love each other. I hear how God has healed them. I hear peace.

What could I possibly learn from sitting in a sewing room? What could I possibly feel? They have welcomed me with gentle kindness. It’s as if whatever was weighing on me was left at the door. I am quiet. I want to say something, but words feel inadequate. I am better off watching and listening to the scene of five free women, working, creating, and dreaming together. I feel chains break. I feel how they love each other. I feel how God has healed them. I feel peace. But what could I possibly learn from sitting in a sewing room?

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Meet Kaylie

A few weeks ago we introduced one of our co-founders, Dianna. Today we want to introduce our other co-founder and the Director of Injustice Response Training Program, Kaylie Housewright! Kaylie is 28 and hails from Corona, California, which is not at all related to the Coronavirus and she would like to remind everyone to #washyourhands. Kaylie is currently residing with her family in the United States, but spent a lot of time in Thailand. 

Kaylie considers herself an introverted extrovert. She enjoys small groups of people where creativity can really get flowing in conversation. Her favorite quote is, "One person's papercut is another's war wound. Do not compare pain, just honor it" and in the next three years she would love to open up Shear Love and Free Rain programs in three additional countries, open a counseling clinic for a low income community, and write a book. 

Three fun facts about Kaylie: she was on a reality television show in high school about keeping the Earth green, she was a conflict manager on the playground in elementary school (impressive), and she is terrified of the middle of the ocean. 

We love Kaylie and are so happy to be working alongside her. Today you can get an inside look at what Kaylie does for Free Rain and Shear Love in the United States. Check out our Instagram story for more on Kaylie!

Meet Kelli

Meet our lead beauty educator, Kelli Martin! Kelli is a spunky twenty-seven years old and is from Turlock, California. She currently works in our Thailand project and has been with Shear Love and Free Rain for almost two years!

Kelli knew that she wanted to use her skills as a hairstylist to serve people so when a friend shared about Shear Love she immediately applied. She said that she didn’t even have a second thought. Six months later she was in Thailand. If you had asked her six or so years prior, however, Kelli would have told you that she was terrified that she would be called to the missionary life. Now, she’s loving every minute of it.

A few fun facts about Kelli: She considers herself an introvert and she loves to travel. In the next three years she wants to visit Australia, Ireland, and Greece. Kelli loves to dance and she loves *NSYNC. Girl, we are with you. We need a #reuniontour. 

For more about Kelli and what her day looks like, you can follow our Instagram story all day!

Meet Alex

Hey everyone, Meet Alex! Alex volunteers for our Thailand project as a mentor to our men. Alex comes from West Covina, California but felt called to Thailand and has a passion to work alongside other justice warriors.

Alex considers himself an extrovert and would love to have dinner with Bob Marley, Bono, Prince, and Jesus. He doesn’t want to have dinner with Superman, whom he considers a very boring superhero. In the next three years Alex aspires to travel to Ethopia, go to Everest Bass Camp, and fly a plane. 

Alex is a musician and loves Reggae music. If he could travel to any decade, he would choose the 80’s because he thinks it had the greatest music (ummm... power ballads anyone?), and because Bob Marley, Prince, and Michael Jackson were all still alive and touring. 

Alex is an important part of Free Rain and Shear Love and we could not educate, train, and disciple our men without him. To check out how Alex spends his days, follow our story on Instagram all day.

Meet Dorothea

Meet Dorothea Schulz! Dorothea is our resident photographer, videographer, and English teacher! This girl is busy! She has been with Free Rain since 2017 in Thailand, but she’s originally from Erkelenz, Germany. Dorothea is Russian-German, grew up in the United States and is quadrilingual! That means she can speak four languages! Wow, she’s impressive! 

In the next three years Dorothea would like to visit all of the continents that she hasn’t yet. If she could trade places with anyone for a day, she would just stay Dorothea because she loves her life! 

If Dorothea could visit any decade it would be the 1950’s for the fashion and the music. Speaking of music, she loves the deep lyrics of the Indie Folk genre. 

Dorothea is an important and well loved part of our team! Check out our Instagram story today to see what Dorothea is up to! 

Prodigal Comes Home

LUKE 15:11-24 Parable of the Lost Son

20 “So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. 24 for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’

Addiction does not discriminate. It sees a person’s vulnerability, targets it with lies, and rubs salt to its wound making a person believe that he can’t get out. It doesn’t matter what age, gender, or from what race a person comes from because it sees a potential host in everyone. But one thing common about addiction is that a person will do anything to satisfy one’s need, longing to fill a hole deep in their hearts. Sadly, addiction is sometimes traced down to one’s roots, from deep memories one had from childhood that left a mark, and in an instant changed the path a person paves.

Allow me to tell you the story of *Baan, a sheep once lost through the wilderness, but now has a shepherd guiding him through excellence. According to Pastor Steve Murell of the Every Nation Congregation, “Life is not a solo sport. We need one another.” Man is not created to be alone, but rather to share the company, relationship, and encouragement from other people. But Baan’s life was the opposite of this for he had a rough childhood, often experiencing isolation. Growing up was no different because he often got into many fights with people in his community resulting to being rejected by his friends and forced to travel through life alone. He graduated from Junior High, and immediately worked in a factory to support his family. There, he earned three dollars per day, but was treated badly by his boss. Words of discouragement were spoken to him, and it even got to the point of physical violence when they are not satisfied with his work.

At the age of 21, Baan was drafted in the military to serve his country. After some years, he let go of the military life, with it the teachings and impartations, and was consumed by addiction. Through the money he earned, he purchased drugs in hopes of forgetting the pain he was in, but later realize that his life was doomed for destruction. It even got to a point where he asked his parents for money to satisfy his need. Unfortunately, he was discovered and arrested by the authorities, and was forced to go to a rehabilitation facility. He eventually got out feeling better for himself, but soon discovered another problem. He lost the trust of his father and was told he cannot stay in their house due to their fear that he would just fall into the pit of addiction again. To regain their trust, his mother suggested that he should go to a temple and be a monk in fear of not being reincarnated because of his history with drugs. He went and do so for three months. But after his time there, he found himself in a place of uncertainty as he had no place to work and no means to make money for his daily living.

In darkness he lost everyone, but in the darkest hours of his days he found someone who led him to understand his innate purpose. A friend told him about Free Rain and Shear Love, where his friend had the opportunity to work as a hair dresser and made a living. She told him that there is a great opportunity for him to learn to be a barber. This friendship has brought him happiness, and the opportunity to learn about being a barber, but more so taught him of his true identity found in his father in heaven.The longing embedded deep in his heart was filled with a new found calling and purpose. With his new found identity and purpose, he came home expecting the worst and what kind of welcome he will receive from his parents. But like the story of the prodigal son, his father welcomed him with open arms, wiping away the worry in his face into the brightest smile.

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With your help, people like Baan are funded to attend trainings to be a barber. With your support, they now discover that they have a purpose, much greater than themselves. Thank you for partnering with Free Rain, and helping us transform people like Baan’s history, into a “His Story”, a great testament of a transformed life. Baan means ‘home’ in Thai and that is exactly where he is now.

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If you were touched by Baan’s story, we would love to team up with you in championing justice. Thank you for partnering with us towards our goal of eradicating injustice, poverty, and exploitation. Support one of our students monthly at bit.ly/shearlovestudent.

*Name changed to protect the privacy of those in our care

Meet Stephanie

This week we are introducing you to Stephanie Henderson! Stephanie is married to last week’s Team Tuesday volunteer, Jamie. Stephanie has been with Fee Rain and Shear Love since its inception, and she’s happy to work as the organization’s Administrative and Financial Director. She feels strongly that God has put on her heart to use her skills and talents to make a difference in the world, one spreadsheet at a time! Just kidding, although she does work with a lot of spreadsheets.

Stephanie is from St. Joe, Indiana and heard about human trafficking at a worship night at a local college nearly ten years ago. She’s an introvert but loves hanging out with her pals and meeting new friends. Sadly, she’s never stayed awake during an Iron Man movie! (What’s wrong with you, those are the best ones!) If Stephanie could swap places with any animal, it would be her parent’s dog Gunner because he gets to sleep and play and gets all the love and treats. 

Stephanie learned how to drive at 12, graduated high school at 16, and started college that same year. She loves napping and doing nail art and the title of her memoir would be, Wait, What? 

Stephanie is an integral part of Free Rain and Shear Love and we are so happy she’s with us. Check out our Instagram story all day to see what a day in the life looks like for Stephanie!

Meet Jamie

Meet Jamie Henderson, our resident barber educator at Shear Love. Jamie is from Fort Wayne, Indiana and has been with Free Rain since the beginning. Prior to working with Free Rain, Jamie worked for two other anti-trafficking organizations in Thailand, so he’s in his seventh year in Thailand. Dianna inspired him to go to school and become a barber and we are so glad he did because Jamie is great with the students. 

Jamie is a gamer and he loves playing Overwatch and Destiny 2. In the next three years he would like to have some kids, write and record an album for fun, and have a Shiba Inu, which is a dog for anyone who doesn’t know.

If Jamie could have dinner with any four people, he would choose King Solomon, The Rock, John Piper, and his mom (Jamie wants to assure everyone that his mom is alive and well, he just really likes her, and enjoys dinner with her). 

If Jamie had a memoir it would be titled, “Barber, Philanthropist, Introvert: Not Necessarily in that Order” and his favorite quote is from the ever wise Ron Swanson (Parks & Recreation), “There has never been a problem that couldn’t be fixed with breakfast food.” Jamie (and Ron) are definitely right; breakfast food is the best!

Jamie is an integral part of our programs at Shear Love and Free Rain and we are so glad we get to share about him today. For more on Jamie, check out our Instagram story!

Meet Dianna

Welcome to our first Team Tuesday! We are excited to start introducing you to our in country staff and volunteers! 

This week, we want to share with you a little about Free Rain's Co-Founder and the Director of Shear Love, Dianna Bautista! 

Dianna is from Corona, California and has been volunteering in Thailand for the past five years. She heard about human trafficking on a missions trip to Kenya, by way of Amsterdam. Dianna, and co-founder Kaylie walked through the red light district and saw a fourteen year old girl being sold for sex. After learning that brothel owners were trying to lower the age to twelve to cater to East Asian clientele, they decided that they could no longer sit back and watch injustice happen. This experience led her and Kaylie to start Free Rain International in order to aid in the fight against human trafficking.

Dianna considers herself an extrovert and she can say “I love you” in 71 languages! If she could be any animal, she would be a sea turtle and she loves to yodel! If she could cut the hair of three celebs, she would pick Donald Trump, Britney Spears, and Bernie Sanders. I don’t know about Britney but Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders could definitely use Dianna’s help!

We love Dianna and are so excited to get to share more about her, so that you can love her too! Make sure to check out our Instagram all day (2/4/2020) to get a sneak peek inside Dianna’s day.

BEAUTY OVERFLOWS

"The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all." 
~ The Emperor, Mulan

Our society has defined the color red as a symbol of courage, passion, and power and determination. It is with this color that we attribute love, and we often incorporate it in our daily life if we feel like it. But our world, being broken and unjust, has tried time and time again to redefine red to symbolize the idea of sex tourism and forced prostitution. But amidst this brokenness, we are still grateful that there is beauty arising from the ashes, and that powerful stories emerges from the most unlikely places. 

From the lonely beats of the lights in the red light district, Kwan came to us in Free Rain, wondering if this is the concluding chapter of her 57-year-old book of life. She was born from a family of farmers, who despite all efforts, couldn’t send them to school, and at the young age of seven has started helping in the farm to provide for her family. Fourteen years later, at the age of 21, she got married. People would think that this is just another cinderella story, where a prince charming came to the picture and they lived happily ever after. Unfortunately, it is the other way around, as soon as it is revealed that he was an alcoholic and sadly Kwan took beating from him, as he was an abuser. Scared for her life, and for the life of her daughters, they escaped from the tight grip of her husband. Thinking of the future and safety of her daughters, she sent them to another province, dismissing her feelings and hoping for the best. 

With no one else to turn to, and having only a limited skill set due to her inability to go to school, she had no other option but to be blinded by the bright, yet broken flickering lights of the red light district. She wanted to stay afloat to provide the best for her daughters, but she sadly was swept away by a heavy current that caged her. Her wings of freedom were cut off, and a chain of forced prostitution hindered her from discovering her true worth for 26 years. But we knew the moment our outreach team met her in the red light district that she was meant to do much greater things, and to fulfill a greater calling. 

Without further ado, our team offered her not only an education that will help her stand on her own, but also a way out of her situation. With dedication and perseverance, Kwan has graduated with a certificate in beauty. She also now works in a cute salon that caters to women working in the red light district, sharing what she learned and encouraging these women that they too are called for a much greater purpose. Every time she walked in work, her goal is to make everyone walking out feeling beautiful inside-out, and with an overflowing belief that they too are worthy. 

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By reaching out to Kwan, we are also able to connect and make an impact on women who are in this situation. Kwan means beauty in Thai. Therefore, from beauty, love and compassion overflowed. This is not her end, but the beginning of something greater in her story. From a lone flower in a muddy field, blooms started to grow and we can see that they are altogether beautiful.

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If you were touched by Kwan’s story, we would love to team up with you in championing justice. Thank you for partnering with us towards our goal of eradicating injustice, poverty, and exploitation. Support one of our students monthly at bit.ly/shearlovestudent.