NEW LIFE CENTER FOUNDATION
Two-Year Cumulative Report of Program Impact JANUARY 2021 - DECEMBER 2022
NEW LIFE CENTER FOUNDATION TWO-YEAR CUMULATIVE REPORT OF PROGRAM IMPACT JANUARY 2021 - DECEMBER 2022
“We will continue to fight against human trafficking in all its forms. All of us must remain vigilant–constantly aware that the cost of human trafficking is not just far away–across the ocean in a distant country. It’s a moral crisis of international proportions that has reached our shores–right here in our own back yard.” -U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee United States Department of State. (2022, June). 2023 Trafficking in Persons Report - United States of America: Thailand. https://www.state.gov/reports/2022-trafficking-in-persons-report/, p. 35
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s people around the world restabilize in the wake of the global health pandemic, the New Life Center is actively evaluating emerging trends in human trafficking, sexual abuse of children, and interpersonal violence. We are developing innovative grassroots initiatives to meet the changing needs of our target population, disrupt cycles of exploitation, and respond adaptively to our context. The NLCF remains committed to establishing healthy, resilient communities, empowering tribal people to fulfill their potential and create positive societal change. In this report, you will read about how the NLCF is implementing workshops on the topic of “Guarding Against Online Threats and Internet-Based Human Trafficking” in response to an increase in internet-facilitated child trafficking (as reported by the Thailand Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force). The NLCF also recently responded to a request from the Chiang Rai Ministry of Human Security and Social Development to provide short-term shelter for victims of trafficking during the course of investigations. The NLCF formed an agreement to work collaboratively with state agencies to ensure that each survivor receives robust trauma-informed care and advocacy services. We are thankful to be considered one of the Thai government’s trusted partners in the fight against human trafficking and exploitation. These are just some of the ways that we are proactively responding to changing trends in the region.
FROM THE DIRECTOR’S DESK 4
The outcomes in this report are the fruits of persistent collaborative efforts by our dedicated NLCF team and network partners, undergirded by the generous support of our financial partners. Thank you for your role in supporting the empowerment of tribal minority people, as we work to establish healthy and resilient communities. Tiemchan “Bee” Kamonklapachon NLCF Program Director
NLCF DIRECTOR EARNS HER MBA In 2022, the Director of the NLCF, Tiemchan Kamonklapachon, “Bee”, graduated from Chiang Mai University with a Master of Business Administration. The staff, residents and board of directors are pleased to celebrate her success, and continue to be grateful for Bee’s capable and dedicated leadership of the NLCF.
The Thailand Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force investigated 11 cases of Internetfacilitated child trafficking in 2021. In 2022, they investigated 41 cases, representing an almost four-fold increase in reported cases. United States Department of State. (2023, June). 2023 Trafficking in Persons Report United States of America: Thailand. https:// www.state.gov/reports/2023-trafficking-inpersons-report/thailand
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FAMILY AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
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January 2021 - December 2022 Annual Report
The NLCF implemented initiatives to equip local people to address human trafficking and exploitation, and promote human rights in their communities through: In 2021, the NLCF implemented 7 awareness-raising campaigns reaching 1,676 participants • 1 Anti-Trafficking training • 1 Anti-Domestic Violence training
In 2022, the NLCF implemented 12 awareness-raising campaigns reaching 1,372 participants • 3 Anti-Trafficking trainings • 6 trainings on “Guarding Against Online Threats and Internet-Based Human Trafficking” • 3 trainings on “Gender Equality and the Right to Freedom from Domestic Violence”
• 1 capacity-building training for the Chiang Rai MultiDisciplinary Team on “Victim-Centered Identification and Care” • 3 trainings on “Guarding Against Online Threats and Internet-Based Human Trafficking” • 1 training for professional interpreters on “Protecting the Welfare of Victims of Human Trafficking, Including Forced Labor, and Forced Prostitution” • NLCF staff worked with local businesses and graphic designers to create and distribute 2,000 multilingual calendars in Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar to increase awareness regarding human trafficking, and provide hotline phone numbers for reporting suspected cases of trafficking or other human rights violations.
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PREVENTING FRAUD In September of 2022, Nam Nueng (pseudonym) attended an online training organized by the NLCF on the topic of Guarding Against Online Threats and Internet-based Human Trafficking. In January 2023, she contacted the New Life Center Foundation to report that people in her community had been contacted on Facebook messenger by a recruiter who had invited them to work in Switzerland. She reported that ten villagers had agreed to the scheme. The recruiter requested that each job applicant transfer about 100,000 – 150,000 Thai Baht (approximately $2,800-$4,300 US) per person to cover visa fees, and the villagers complied. However, they never received their visas. At first, the broker made excuses, saying that the issuance of the visas had been “postponed”, but then he closed his Facebook account, and they were no longer able to contact him. The villagers eventually realized that they had been victims of fraud. Nam Nueng said that since she had previously attended the online security training last year, she was aware that this type of solicitation carries a high risk of deception and fraud. Therefore, she never agreed to participate in the scheme. She ignored the message, and was not victimized by the recruiter. By the time she found out that others had been deceived, it was too late for her to warn them as they had already transferred their savings to the recruiter. NLCF staff followed up with the group of villagers to provide them with the training that Nam Nueng had received, and to help them access advocacy and support services. 8
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20TH ANNIVERSARY OF ANTI-TRAFFICKING CAMPAIGNS The New Life Center Foundation initiated our first anti-trafficking campaign programs in 2002, in conjunction with HIV/AIDs prevention efforts of a partner organization, the House of Love. Over the last twenty years, the NLCF has expanded these efforts resulting in the implementation of 250 campaigns/ events including educational trainings; printed materials; calendars with a hotline number for reporting cases of trafficking; drama programs; fairs; international music festivals; a radio broadcast; and movie dramatizations in Lahu and Akha languages. Thus far, these anti-trafficking efforts have reached over 110,000 ethnic minority people in Thailand, China, Lao PDR, and Burma. Secondary outcomes multiply impact even further. For example, in 2013, the NLCF wrote, produced, and distributed 2,000 DVDs of the Lahu anti-trafficking movie, Akawve. We calculated that this project reached at least 2,000 people. However, over the last ten years, the movie has received almost 40,000 views on YouTube, exponentially expanding the reach of the movie. These community-based activities prevent human trafficking by educating at-risk people groups about potential risks. Through networking with grassroots leaders, the NLCF is able to keep abreast of regional trends in migration and trafficking, and introduce relevant training on topics such as “Guarding Against Online Threats and Internet-Based Human Trafficking”. 10
January 2021 - December 2022 Annual Report
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The New Life Center would like to express our sincere gratitude to the following organizations for partnering with us to fund these anti-trafficking efforts: • Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs & US Embassy, US Dept of State • DIAKONIA (a Swedish Christian international development organization) • ELCA (the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) • Interact Asia (a Swedish non-governmental organization) • Joseph H. and Florence A. Roblee Grant • Virginia and Gordon Palmer, Jr. Trust of the American Baptist Foundation • Trafcord • USAID (United States Agency for International Development) • UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) • UNIAP (United Nations Inter-Agency Project to Combat Human • Trafficking in the Mekong Subregion) • UNICEF (United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund, now officially United Nations Children’s Fund)
Please join the New Life Center in celebrating these collaborative achievements as we press forward to combat human trafficking in the Mekong Subregion! N E W L I F E C E N T E R FO U N DAT I O N
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SUPPORTING COMMUNITY RESILIENCE NLCF identified four primary target communities in northern Thailand for community resilience-building. Community assessments revealed that target communities suffered from poverty, addiction, and domestic violence that led to the breakdown of families. The NLCF identified the need for medical and mental health services designed to enhance protective factors such as life skills, vocational skills, and problem-solving skills to strengthen families and protect vulnerable children. Therefore, the NLCF: • Conducted stress assessments, counseling, and social work services for 12 villagers, and family counseling and rehabilitation for one family • Liaised with the local municipality officials, hospitals, psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers to ensure that villagers received needed medical and mental healthcare • Organized seminars on soap-making (15 participants), and practical sewing skills (10 participants) to help villagers generate supplementary income for their families.
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NETWORK COOPERATION “Partnerships better equip antitrafficking stakeholders with the tools, information, and resources they need to tackle this complex crime and its interwoven components.” US Ambassador-At-Large Cindy Dyer. United States Department of State. (2023. June). 2023 Trafficking in Persons Report United States of America. https://www.state.gov/reports/2023trafficking-in-persons-report/, p. 5 16
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The NLCF works in partnership with a broad network of agencies including the Legal Status Network, the Royal Thai Police, the Thai Ministry of Human Security and Social Development, and Multi-Disciplinary Teams for the Prevention and Suppression of Human Trafficking in both Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai provinces.
NLCF STAFF • Attended 42 meetings in 2021 and 51 meetings in 2022 to build strategic alliances with various state and private agencies to combat human trafficking and domestic violence, to coordinate victim assistance, and to promote human rights and citizenship rights. • Provided professional language interpretation services on 23 occasions in 2021, and on 16 occasions in 2022, assisting in cases of domestic violence and in the identification of victims of trafficking in persons.
CITIZENSHIP ADVOCACY RESULTS: • During 2021-2022, the NLCF assisted five residents with submitting application packages for Thai citizenship. Two applications were approved and the applicants were granted citizenship. The remaining three applicants have not yet received a response to their requests.
• Worked with the Legal Status Network (in cooperation with 44 public and private organizations) to drive changes in Thai law and policies with regard to citizenship status. N E W L I F E C E N T E R FO U N DAT I O N
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SIEVERT LARSSON/ CREATE YOUR FUTURE SCHOLARSHIP FUND
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January 2021 - December 2022 Annual Report
Education is a better safeguard of liberty than a standing army. ~ Edward Everett
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IN 2021 •
265 tribal students received scholarships for technical school, associate’s degrees, and university o
41 graduated from university, 8 graduated from associate’s programs, and 3 graduated from technical school/high school
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69% of graduates were gainfully employed within one year of graduation
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One graduate received a scholarship from the Chinese government to pursue further studies in China
IN 2022 •
322 tribal students received scholarships for technical school, associate’s degrees, and university o
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51 graduated from university, 4 graduated from associate’s programs, and 3 graduated from technical school (high school equivalency) 84% of graduates are gainfully employed
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A SCHOLARSHIP SUPPORTS SUSTAINA *“Suwanee” (a pseudonym) was born to a ThaiYai family in Thailand. She is the third of four siblings. When she was 3 years old, her father took her to Myanmar and left her to live with his parents. Suwanee had a happy childhood during the time she lived with her grandparents, and she attended school regularly. At aged 12, after she graduated from the 6th grade, Suwanee went to work, selling vegetables and working in the fields to help earn income for her family because there was no high school in her village. Suwanee’s parents then called and requested that her grandmother bring Suwanee back to Thailand so they could process her application for a Thai citizenship card. Suwanee thought that the paperwork would be completed quickly and she expected to go back to Burma with her grandmother. But Suwanee’s grandmother dropped her off in Thailand, and returned to Myanmar without her. Suwanee was left with her parents whom she barely knew. She soon discovered that her father was an aggressive and violent person who often beat her mother. Suwanee’s father forced her to get a job in construction. She wanted desperately to go to school and continue her education. The local Thai public school was free and within commuting distance. But her father told her that at 12 years of age, she was too old for school. He told her that if she worked very hard, he would let her return to Myanmar to live with her grandmother. Suwanee worked hard in hopes of earning her freedom from forced labor. She carried bricks, did hammering and sawing, and climbed up in bamboo scaffolding as required. But she never received any wages. All of her earnings were delivered directly to her father. Suwanee was not allowed to have friends and Suwanee’s father frequently hit her. Sometimes he held a knife to her throat and threatened to kill her. He also made sexual advances toward her. 22
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ABILITY Suwanee did not know where to turn for help because she had not grown up in Thailand and did not speak Thai. Suwanee’s mother forbad her from telling anyone for fear of problems with the Thai authorities. When Suwanee’s father made plans to take her to file for her citizenship card, she resisted because she knew that the trip required an overnight stay and she was afraid for her safety. Suwanee felt terrified, but was unable to resist when her father insisted on making the trip on his motorcycle. That evening, he tried to sexually assault Suwanee in a hotel room. But she screamed loudly, and he let her go. The next day, her father, undaunted, drove Suwanee out into the forest to rape her. She struggled to free herself and ran into the jungle, fleeing for her life. Her father couldn’t keep up with her. Eventually she found an old dirt road and followed it. Whenever she heard the sound of a motorcycle, she would run into the woods and hide. Finally, after walking along the dirt road for several hours, she found a village. She went to the village headman, told her story, and requested refuge. The headman fed Suwanee and gave her water, and referred her to the appropriate authorities. Suwanee was referred to the New Life Center for care in 2015. She continued her education through a non-formal schooling program and became fluent in Thai. She participated in NLCF’s therapeutic activities, received counseling and art therapy, and learned how to play the guitar. Through the efforts of the NLCF social worker, Suwanee was reunited with her grandmother in Myanmar, and she was able to visit her before her grandmother passed away. Suwanee is now 23 years old. She is in her third year of a technical high school equivalency program at Chiang Mai Vocational College, and carries a 4.0 GPA. Next year, she will enroll in university and intends to major in Business English with the support of a NLCF scholarship funded by the Sievert Larsson/Create Your Future Foundation. *Suwanee is a pseudonym
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VOCATIONAL TRAINING IN 2021 •
Five students graduated from nurse’s aide programs, and are gainfully employed.
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Five students received vocational training. Two graduated from a nurse’s aide program. Two completed training to become hair stylists. All four are gainfully employed. The fifth student is presently studying to be a nurse’s aide.
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VIABLE WORK SUPPORTS DIGNITY Asaw* is a 27-year-old ethnic Mien man who lives in a village in Chiang Rai. He is the fourth of five siblings, and his family practices subsistence farming. Asaw suffers from a congenital heart disease that interrupted his education, and limits his ability to do physical labor. Despite this setback, he enrolled in a non-formal education program, and eventually graduated from a high school equivalency program. After Asaw’s high school graduation, a doctor discovered that he had a life-threatening brain abscess. He underwent brain surgery and follow-up therapy, which was covered by the national healthcare plan. His parents and a sister cared for him during his recovery. After he recovered from surgery, Asaw did not know what to do. He felt useless because he was unable to work in the fields and help his family. At the recommendation of his sister who was a hair stylist, Asaw decided to enroll in a free vocational training program in hairdressing at the Phan Vocational Training Center. He started classes and 26
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found that he enjoyed it. However, three weeks into his training program, the vocational training schools closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and Asaw was again forced to return home and depend on his parents. Asaw became overwhelmed with feelings of hopelessness and despair. After hearing about the NLCF vocational training scholarship program, Asaw applied, and was accepted. Asaw enrolled in the Soi Thip Beauty School in Chiang Rai, and within one year, he had successfully earned a certificate in barbering and hair styling. In October of 2022, he started working as an assistant at his sister’s hair salon. He enjoyed the work and quickly became proficient. So in May of 2023, Asaw’s brother built Asaw his own barber shop. He is the only barber in his village, and he draws customers from throughout the surrounding area. He feels proud to be a new business owner, and earns a viable income. Asaw wrote, “Thank you for providing a scholarship that has truly transformed my life. I no longer feel like a burden to my family, and now I know that I can contribute to society.” *Asaw is a pseudonym
A SURVIVOR’S STORY * Kaning is a 16-year-old girl from the Pa-O tribe. She is one of five children. Kaning’s parents separated when Kaning was five years old, and the children lived with their mother. Kaning’s mother then married a series of husbands, the most recent of whom perpetrated domestic violence on the family, and threatened to rape Kaning. Kaning sought refuge from a Christian pastor at a church in their community. After coordinating with the family, Kaning was referred to the New Life Center Foundation in 2020. Throughout her time at the NLCF, Kaning has received educational, therapeutic, and life skills support. She participates in all of the activities offered by the NLCF including counseling, art therapy, swimming, and baking. Kaning’s initial psychological assessment revealed that she suffered from symptoms of traumatic stress. She exhibited emotional dysregulation, and struggled to adapt to new contexts. She also suffered from low selfesteem, indecisiveness, feelings of worthlessness, self-blaming, and lack of confidence. Kaning had difficulty making friends and was reluctant to trust others. Therapeutic activities were implemented to expand Kaning’s skills with regard to affect regulation, relationship building and communication. Kaning likes to sing, and play the guitar and the kalimba, so the NLCF psychologist used music to help Kaning develop self-esteem and self-efficacy. Kaning is now able to acknowledge her own accomplishments, and understands herself as a valuable member of our community. Kaning is also more socially attuned to others, and sometimes writes funny stories with her friends. *Kaning is a pseudonym
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PROTECTION
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January 2021 - December 2022 Annual Report
In 2021: • 34 tribal women and children from 11 different ethnic groups received comprehensive long-term residential care. 26 were survivors of trauma including trafficking in persons, sexual abuse, domestic violence, forced marriage, and being forced to deal drugs. 8 came from high-risk family backgrounds or were orphaned. • All residents received education, and therapeutic services including individual and group counseling, exercise, handicrafts, and therapeutic art. They also received life skills training on topics including reproductive health, internet safety, and inner empowerment. • One NLCF resident graduated from the 9th grade and was reintegrated with the community. • Two residents graduated from high school. One continued on to university, and the other continued on to vocational training as a nurse’s aide. • Additionally, NLCF provided counseling and social work support for 7 survivors of trauma who did not live in our residential program. In 2022: • 21 tribal women and children from 11 different ethnic groups received comprehensive long-term residential care. Residents were survivors of trauma including trafficking in persons, sexual abuse, domestic violence, forced marriage, and being forced to deal drugs. They received education, and therapeutic services including individual and group counseling, baking, swimming, exercise, handicrafts, and therapeutic art. They also received life skills training on topics including reproductive health, internet safety, and inner empowerment. Special activities included local field trips, and Bible Camp at the beach. • One NLCF resident graduated from the 9th grade and was reintegrated with the community. • Five residents graduated from high school. Four were reintegrated with their families, and one continued on to university. • Additionally, 29 survivors of trauma (trafficking in persons, sexual abuse, and domestic violence), and one person suffering from mental illness received short-term shelter and trauma-informed care.
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REHABILITATIVE ACTIVITIES
As a part of the NLCF’s residential programming, residents received comprehensive educational, medical, dental, emotional, and social assessments and rehabilitative services as necessary. 27 residents in 2021, and 18 residents in 2022 participated in therapeutic activities including individual and group counseling, handicrafts, therapeutic art, music, baking, and exercise. 30
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ORGANIZATIONAL SUSTAINABILITY
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The NLCF practices responsible management of all resources including personnel, property, finance, and positive relationships with our network.
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The NLCF is committed to excellence in all aspects of organizational management including compliance with international accounting principles, undergoing a comprehensive annual audit by an independent auditor, accountability to our foundation board, and regular monitoring and evaluation procedures.
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All NLCF stakeholders influence the development of policies, procedures, and services at the NLCF by providing bi-annual consultative feedback to senior staff.
The NLCF also invests in staff capacity development: Over the last two years, NLCF staff attended 28 (11 in 2021, and 14 in 2022) different continuing education trainings on topics such as grant proposal writing, organizational administration, traumainformed care, trafficking victim identification and protection, strengthening child-safe organizational protection standards, promotional media development, counseling for those addicted to pornography, and nonviolent communication.
Total 2021 Budget of the NLCF - US $ 296,950 12% Administration 64% Activities 24% Residential Facilities 12% 24%
64%
Total 2022 Budget of the NLCF - US $333,850 11% Administration 68% Activities 21% Residential Facilities 11% 21%
68%
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THANK YOU The NLCF would like to express our sincere gratitude to the individuals, churches, civil society groups, and organizations in our network that work with the NLCF to create a more fair society for minorities in the Mekong Sub-Region. We would like to express particular gratitude to the following individuals and organizations for their faithful support:
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American Baptist Churches, USA
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International Ministries, ABCUSA
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The Bauer Family
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Lighthouse Foundation
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Bellevue Heights Humanitarian Foundation
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Donna McDill
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The Church of Christ in Thailand
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Dr. Neil and Robyn Davies
The Royal Thai Government Ministry of Social Development and Human Security
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The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
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The Royal Thai Police, Region 5
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First Presbyterian Church, Berkeley, CA
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Tim and Connie Sauer
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Green Light Service Group at NIST International School
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Sievert Larsson/Create Your Future Scholarship Foundation
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Interact Asia
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NEW LIFE CENTER FOUNDATION 226 M. 2 Sanphranet, Sansai, Chiang Mai 50210 Tel. 053-351312 Fax. 053-380871 E-mail: newlifecenterfoundation@gmail.com www.newlifecenterfoundation.org New Life Center Foundation Director: Ms. Tiemchan Kamonklapachon This report was prepared collaboratively by all of the NLCF staff. Darunee Manorak, Kit Ripley, Naraya Saeduq, Pinit Tanomwarakul, Craig Thompson (www.discipledesign.com), Jarunee Wala, Faye Wimonsuksuwan