2017 Annual Report

ANNUAL REPORT OF PROGRAM IMPACT Celebrating 30 Years (1987-2017)

JANUARY-DECEMBER 2017 1

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SUMMARY OF IMPACT: In 2017, over 4,300 ethnic minority persons were served by New Life Center programs.

• 92 tribal women and girls from 11 ethnic groups received safe shelter and residential services, including rehabilitative therapeutic activities.

• 35 survivors of sexual abuse, human trafficking and other forms of trauma received social and psychological rehabilitation services from qualified personnel.

• 49 tribal women graduated from various levels of education, from primary school to university.

• 7 tribal women graduated from specialized vocational training in beauty salon services, culinary arts, and nurse’s aide programs.

• NLCF residents attended personal life skills workshops on topics such as reproductive health, first aid, personal safety, internet safety, and human rights law.

• Advocacy and collaboration with 32 public and private organizations on issues of citizenship and statelessness led to changes in public policy which have resulted in increased access to legal rights for tribal people in the areas of healthcare, travel, and occupation.

• 30 anti-trafficking educational campaigns reached over 4,000 ethnic minority people in northern Thailand and Burma.

82% of participants demonstrated increased understanding of human trafficking and the prevention of exploitation.

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SPOTLIGHT ON 30TH ANNIVERSARY In May, 2017, the New Life Center Foundation (‘NLCF’) marked 30 years of service!

A special anniversary celebration was held in January, 2018 to honor this incredible milestone.

The vision of the New Life Center is “An exploitation-free society for tribal people throughout the Mekong Sub-Region”. Over the last 30 years, there has been great progress toward making that vision a reality. There are now many more schools in remote village areas. The Royal Thai Government continues to improve its anti-trafficking legislation and promotes human rights and legal citizenship. The New Life Center has prevented exploitation and trafficking by promoting higher education and conducting national and international anti-trafficking campaigns.

Throughout this period, the NLCF staff have also provided caring case management to hundreds of survivors of sexual abuse, domestic violence, labor exploitation and trafficking in persons.

The progress that we see in tribal society today is not something we claim to have done alone. It exists because many dedicated people and committed private, government, grass-roots and faith-based organizations invested together to make it happen. Nevertheless, there is still a long way to go before reaching our goal of an exploitation free society.

As we head into the future, the NLCF is determined to redouble our efforts to be change agents in the region. We will continue to expand prevention efforts by training leaders from Thailand and neighboring countries to educate people in their own languages about labor exploitation and trafficking. Additionally, the New Life Center will continue to provide the highest quality aftercare services for survivors of trauma. We will continue to advocate at the provincial and national levels for human rights and equal access to citizenship, and work tirelessly to educate and empower tribal women who will become influential leaders throughout the nation.

Thank you for participating in this ongoing movement for change. We invite you to join us in celebrating achievements of the last thirty years, even as we look toward a bright future!

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AREA I: Preventing Exploitation and Human Trafficking

In 2003, the New Life Center initiated our first anti-trafficking campaign in partnership with the United Nations. Since that time, the New Life Center has continued to implement anti-trafficking campaigns throughout the Mekong subregion (including northern Thailand, Burma, Laos, and China) to build risk awareness among tribal communities most vulnerable to exploitation.

In 2017: • 30 campaigns were organized in villages, youth camps, and schools throughout northern Thailand and Burma.

• Over 4,000 ethnic minority persons were reached through educational campaigns on safe migration and the associated risks of human trafficking, exploitation of children, domestic violence, and teen pregnancy.

• 54% of participants who were surveyed before and after campaign activities demonstrated increased awareness and understanding regarding various types of exploitation.

• A volunteer team of 40 community leaders from local villages and private organizations attended a training coordinated by NLCF staff on the topic of internet safety for minors. The training was designed in such a way that participants could pass along the information they received to staff and residents in their respective communities and organizations.

• 2,000 calendars, designed to increase awareness and understanding regarding human trafficking and how to report suspected cases of exploitation, were distributed in villages throughout northern Thailand, Burma, Laos, and China.

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AREA II: Protecting Survivors of Trauma and Girls at Risk of Exploitation NLCF provides shelter, protection, educational support and rehabilitative services for tribal girls who are at risk for, or survivors of, various types of trauma, abuse, and exploitation. Staff work handin-hand with local police and government offices, receiving referrals and emergency cases, networking with community leaders, and following up on the details of each individual case. This work

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is made possible through the diligent effort and unyielding faithfulness of our staff and the dedicated support of partners around the globe.

In 2017, NLCF cared for 92 residents representing 11 tribal groups in three shelters, 35 of whom were survivors of sexual abuse, trafficking in persons, and/or other forms of trauma.

One Resident’s Story: Laina Laina* was born in Burma. Her parents are from the Tai-Yai tribe. No one knows Laina’s exact age, as the family did not register her at birth. Her parents separated when she was 4 years old, and Laina stayed with her father for about four years when her mother migrated to Thailand for work. After finding work, remarrying, and becoming pregnant with her second child, Laina’s mother convinced her ex-husband to allow Laina to join her in Thailand, so that she could receive a better education.

Sadly, this good intention was never realized. Laina had no birth certificate or ID card, so her mother and step-father did not attempt to enroll her in school. After a short time, a new baby was born into the family. The four of them lived in a single rented room, and while both adults worked during the day, Laina cared for her baby brother, rarely leaving the room.

Laina’s step-father worked close to home, while her mother had a long commute. In the interim, when Laina’s mother was at work or in transit, Laina’s step-father began sexually abusing her. He threatened and beat her, in order to keep her quiet, and she never told a soul what she was experiencing.

About a year-and-a-half later, Laina complained to her mother about terrible stomach pains.

Assuming she had some kind of infection, Laina’s mother took her to a clinic, where the doctor promptly informed them that Laina was 36 weeks pregnant and in labor. It was then that Laina finally let her secret out. Late that night, Laina gave birth to a strong, healthy baby girl.

The hospital tested Laina’s bones and teeth to determine her age. Tests concluded that she was just 11 years old.

In 2017 Laina came to live at the New Life Center Foundation. Her infant daughter is in the protective care of a children’s home and Laina has granted permission for the child to be adopted. Laina is working hard to learn to read and write the Thai language so that she can begin non-formal adult education classes in Thai. In cooperation with Laina, NLCF staff developed and are implementing a plan of rehabilitation and restoration through counseling and other therapeutic services. NLCF and its network partners are also providing legal advocacy for her as she applies for an ID card, and as the prosecution of her step-father proceeds.

At only 11 years old, Laina has a long and difficult road ahead. New Life Center Foundation is committed to equipping her to pursue her own goals, and to create positive changes in her own life and in society through education, therapeutic services, and advocacy at every level. *Laina is a pseudonym.

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AREA III: Rehabilitation

The level of physical and mental stress experienced by survivors of neglect, trauma and abuse is extremely difficult to manage. Rehabilitation through therapeutic activities provides a safe environment and means through which stress may be relieved. In order to process and heal, children and adolescents require the attentive care of trained counselors and the safety of consistent relationship. The NLCF employs a fulltime trained counselor who counsels residents and helps them create a therapeutic activity plan that is individualized to each resident’s needs and interests.

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In 2017, all 92 NLCF residents participated in at least one of twelve therapeutic activities offered.

Activities included individual and group counseling, drama, baking, sports, therapeutic art, and handicrafts like embroidery, sewing, and jewelrymaking. In February, the Stephen Petronio Dance Company from New York City did a therapeutic dance workshop for residents of the NLCF.

Students practiced breathing exercises and stretching and experimented with ways to express words through movement. This was an empowering experience as each adolescent girl felt a sense of belonging to the group and explored how her body moves in a positive, supportive environment.

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AREA IV: Empowerment through Education

“One child, one teacher, one book, and one pen can change the world.”

– Malala Yousafzai When NLCF opened in 1987, its primary purpose was to provide a safe environment for young tribal women to live and go to school, as an alternative to exploitative labor such as prostitution. Education is the key to changing lives, families – even whole villages. The past thirty years of ministry cannot be measured or celebrated at a single event or through a special report. It can only be measured in the thousands of lives that have been transformed, one at a time.

Education is still at the center of our work to empower tribal people. In 2017: • 22 NLCF residents graduated from various levels of education. Of these graduates, 14 chose to study further.

• 27 non-residential ethnic minority students who received scholarships from NLCF graduated with degrees in higher education (technical school, associate or bachelor’s degree). Of these graduates, 13 have already secured jobs in their chosen fields, and 10 continued on to higher levels of education.

• 7 tribal people graduated from specialized vocational training programs in salon services, nurse’s aide programs, and culinary arts.

• NLCF residents received life skills training in • Personal safety, reproductive health, and first aid • Human rights (including child rights and legal Thai citizenship) • Fire safety • Internet safety

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AREA V: Vacation Bible School Camp

NLCF’s 2017 VBS camp was held in Pattaya, Thailand. Pattaya is a port town on the Gulf of Thailand, 14 hours south of NLCF’s location in northern Thailand. 68 residents, 13 student leaders, and 16 staff piled into 10 vans to make the long journey. This was a rare and special occasion for residents (who come from remote mountain villages) to see the ocean and romp around in the waves – most of them for the first time in their lives! Despite arriving in the evening after dark, the vans had barely parked before the girls ran over to

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the shore to jump into the water, fully clothed!

The joy and wonder among them was palpable.

The camp’s theme was Filled to Overflowing. A well-known youth-speaker from Bangkok spent time with our group throughout the week and taught about how God made humans to be filled and satisfied – only through the love of God. The week’s activities culminated in a baptism service, where 15 residents were baptized by Rev. Jeni Pedzinski.

One Resident's Story: Ah-Bee Ah-Bee* arrived at New Life Center Foundation (NLCF) when she was 13 years old. She has one younger brother. Their mother died when Ah-Bee was just three years old. At that time, her father moved the family from Yunnan Province, in China, to Shan State, in Burma. After several years of doing temporary work, her father decided that life might be better in Thailand. He left his son at a temple in Burma and traveled with Ah-Bee across the border. He then left her with a friend, believing that she would get a better education in Thailand.

A few days later, this “friend” sent Ah-Bee to live with a man he knew. She stayed with him only three days before being sent to Chiang Mai to live with the “P” family. Mr. P was married with three children. He made and sold Chinese egg noodles. He and his wife allowed Ah-Bee to move in with them and go to a local school.

Although she was allowed to go to school, the expectation in this arrangement was that she would work full time for the P family. Before school, she cared for the children. After school, she helped make egg noodles, cleaned the house, and helped the children with various tasks. She worked from 3 P.M. to midnight and was not paid for her labor.

When Ah-Bee was about 10 years old, Mr. P started raping her. This continued over a three-year period, until she confided in a trusted teacher, who immediately reported the case to authorities.

Mr. P was arrested, and Ah-Bee was referred to NLCF for long-term therapeutic care.

In the nine years Ah-Bee has resided at NLCF, she has shown remarkable courage and incredible maturity. A devoted follower of Jesus, other residents have found her to be a wise and trustworthy friend. NLCF staff call her a model resident. She takes responsibility for herself and helps to teach and care for other residents as well.

Now 22, Ah-Bee recently graduated from high school, and has left the NLCF residence to study Chinese at one of the top universities in the country through the support of an NLCF scholarship.

At NLCF’s graduation celebration, she shared how proud she is to be an NLCF alumna, and expressed her gratitude for how much she has learned and received from the staff as well as her peers. We could not be prouder of this young woman’s character and how far she has come. *Ah-Bee is a pseudonym

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30 YEARS OF FAITHFUL SERVICE

The NLCF is blessed to employ 16 dedicated tribal staff. Each one contributes his/her unique gifts and strengths to the team. Waraporn Wimonsuksuwan (also known by the nicknames “Faye” or “P-Yai”) is the staff member with the longest tenure; Faye was hired by the NLCF’s first director, Rev. Lauran Bethell when the NLCF opened in 1987. She served as the house parent for 18 residents. In 1993, Faye moved into the position of field coordinator. She supported residential programs, visited scholarship students in villages, and was involved in antitrafficking campaigns. In 2007, Faye completed her BA in Educational Psychology and worked as a Senior Administrator, bringing her wealth of experience to the NLCF’s leadership team. As a guest relations representative, Faye has met with students, donors, researchers and media representatives (including journalists from PBS and the BBC) to talk about key issues in the local tribal community.

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Over the last twenty years, Faye has also been a resource for the Royal Thai Police, the Thai court system, and the Thai Department of Human Security and Social Development, serving as an on-call interpreter for the Lahu, Burmese, Karen, Shan and English languages. The Chiang Mai MultiDisciplinary Team continues to rely on Faye for language interpretation during their investigation of cases involving illegal migration, forced begging, child labor and other forms of human trafficking.

In 2015, Faye received an award from Governor of Chiang Mai for her “Excellent Contribution to National Social Welfare”.

In her free time, Faye also serves as the treasurer of the Chiang Mai Lahu Baptist Church. Faye, thank you for 30 years of faithful service to the NLCF!

Scholarship Recipient Case Story: Yoseh Yoseh* is a tribal minority from Tak province. He has two older and two younger siblings. His parents were refugees from Burma, so although Yoseh was born in Thailand, he does not possess any form of legal status. Yoseh’s father has intermittent work as a day laborer, watching over livestock. The primary family income comes from the little bit of money that Yoseh’s older brother and sister are able to send home from their jobs at a factory in Bangkok.

Throughout his childhood, Yoseh suffered verbal and physical abuse from his father, who would throw rocks at him and beat him with a wooden rod. Yoseh’s mother is a victim of debt bondage; she is forced to work at a factory in Bangkok. This occurred because a neighbor deceived her into signing as the guarantor on a loan taken from a loan shark. She is illiterate and was unable to read the document but placed her thumbprint on it as instructed by the neighbor. When the debt was not paid, Yoseh’s mother became enslaved in a factory to pay off the debt. She earns no money and suffers from heart disease.

When Yoseh graduated from high school, he desperately wanted to pursue higher education and create a better life for himself. But his family had no money for such a dream, and Yoseh could not take out student loans due to his lack of legal status.

When Yoseh heard about a scholarship opportunity through the New Life Center Foundation, he applied and was accepted into the program. He is currently in his sophomore year, studying Management Science in the Faculty of Accounting at Ratchapat University in Chiang Mai. Yoseh believes that education is the driving force that will create social justice and enable Thailand’s tribal minorities to improve the quality of their lives. Despite the trauma of his past, Yoseh is determined to graduate, have a fulfilling vocation, and make a meaningful and on-going contribution to society.

The New Life Center Foundation is honored to partner with students like Yoseh, fueling their dreams and encouraging them to realize their full potential, no matter the odds.

*Yoseh is a pseudonym

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THANK YOU! New Life Center Foundation could not continue this life-changing work without the unflagging support of many individuals, churches, civil society groups and network partners around the globe. On behalf of the NLCF staff and residents, thank you for your sacrificial generosity!

In particular, we would like to thank the following organizations and individuals:                 

American Baptist Churches, USA Bellevue Heights Humanitarian Foundation Beter-Uit Reizen, Netherlands George and Carol Bauer, Connecticut, USA Bauer Family, USA Crossroads Church, Denver, Colorado, USA Dr. Neil and Robyn Davies, Australia Evangelical Lutheran Church in America First Presbyterian Church of Berkeley, CA, USA High Flight Holland International Company, Ltd. International Ministries, ABC USA Royal Thai Government, Department of Social Development and Human Security The Royal Thai Police, Region 5 Tim and Connie Sauer, California, USA Sievert Larsson Scholarship Foundation US State Department Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons Church of Christ in Thailand

Your partnership enables the New Life Center Foundation to: • Respond to the needs of survivors of abuse and exploitation through rehabilitation, education, and legal advocacy.

• Protect at-risk people through education, vocational training, citizenship advocacy and promotion of life-skills.

• Conduct campaigns to educate and build awareness to prevent all forms of exploitation and trafficking, reducing risk that tribal people will fall prey to social and labor exploitation.

• Promote gender equality by empowering women to access higher education so that they can succeed in today’s vocationally competitive marketplace.

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“I sought the Lord and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to Him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.�

Psalm 34:4-5

Thank you for your generous partnership!

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NEW LIFE CENTER FOUNDATION 226 M. 2 Sanphranet, Sansai, Chiang Mai 50210 Tel. 053-351312 Fax. 053-380871 E-mail: newlife@pobox.com www.newlifecenterfoundation.org New Life Center Foundation Director: Ms. Tiemchan Kamonklapachon

This report was prepared with the assistance of all the NLCF staff.

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Photo credits: Jeni Pedzinski, Cyanea Yui Sum Poon, Kit Ripley, Pinit Tanomwarakul, Payut Tunu, Faye Wimonsuksuwan, Tik Wongyangprasert