Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Sea Monkeys and Human Trafficking

Lately, I have been reading and hearing about a number of organizations and the things they are doing in the area of human trafficking. From informational campaigns to organizations claiming to be working with victims, the stories are incredible. Or are they?

When I was a kid, I used to love reading comic books - it didn't much matter what it was - Iron Man, Justice League - they were all pretty cool. But, on the back of almost every comic book was an ad. This was a magical ad that captured every boys imagination. Every kid I knew coveted this ad - the infamous sea monkeys. The picture alone was like catnip for kids. You could become the master of the universe with your own kingdom of servant sea monkeys. With arms, legs, faces, and should we dare say - personality (look at the picture again!), this was the ultimate. Unbelievable!


My story isn't original. No - it is many kids stories. I ordered it. I waited about three weeks, when it finally arrived in the plain, brown wrapping...it seemed a little light for an entire kingdom of sea monkeys, but who am I to judge. So, I get it all out on the table and there is a 'packet' of my new subjects...a packet? Next, I get my tank ready, add the water, and pour in my instant sea monkeys and viola! Hey, wait a second...they are all dead! Oh, um, maybe not...it was nothing but shrimp brine! I got ripped off...in the tank floats little obscure white things that don't even have a shape, let along a personality...okay, okay, enough of the story.

What I am getting at is this - in the area of sex trafficking, there are a lot of people attempting to capitalize on the fact that there is tremendous interest in this topic. So, people create a front page website and start taking in donations. Other organizations have even taken their orphanages or other projects working with children and started calling them 'anti-trafficking' projects. Why? To answer this simply, I don't know. I suspect it is a money-making venture, as well as, an attempt to get on the band wagon of human trafficking.

This is disturbing, because there are a number of great organizations working very hard and struggling for dollars to keep their work afloat. When glossy organizations come in and begin dividing up the already small pie, it hurts - not just the organization, but the children that we are helping.

Working with trafficking victims is not glamorous or easy and you don't get rich doing it. At least the people that I know. The people I know are in the trenches working hard to make a difference and we sacrifice a lot to work in this field. So, I guess that this is a 'buyer beware' blog - carefully check out non-profits that you are considering donating money to or assisting in any way. Ask them exactly what they do and if they have any references. Trust me - if they are legitimate, someone knows them and respects the work they are doing.
I have a broad network of people working with anti-trafficking projects - both legitimate and those that make amazing claims of what they are doing to assist victims of sex trafficking. A little checking around and critical thinking will help you make informed decisions about who and what you put your good name and money to. Remember, just because they say they are doing something doesn't mean it is true.

My soap box is almost over - so, here is my last point - if the claims are incredible, it is likely that they are not true. In the words of Public Enemy "Don't believe the hype". Claims of amazing child rescues and incredible aftercare programs require some corroboration from other organizations that they partner with. In this field, nothing is accomplished alone. We work together, like pieces of a puzzle. Rescuing children is a process, not an event. Any lone rangers out working by themselves are just that - lone rangers looking for money, approval, and recognition for something that they are either not really doing or doing irresponsibly.
If you have questions about a particular project, organization, or methodology, ask around. Everyone in this field wants the best possible services to go toward helping victims and addressing this issue. Most will welcome your queries and are open about their work (barring confidential or sensitive information that might compromise them, victims in their care, or their work). I would be happy to assist or point you in the right direction, if you have questions or concerns. In the meantime, we appreciate your support of the work we are doing to empower girls to recapture their futures.

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

A Dear Friend, Deeply Missed

During your lifetime, you encounter people, many of whom you do not or cannot remember. You make acquaintances, contacts, and on rare occasions - friends. Of these friends, each of them are completely different. Some are people you do things with, others are friends you can talk to, and rarely someone comes along that takes a special place in your heart.

In 2004, I was introduced to Vanny (or Ny as we called him) - a 40-year old Cambodian man, who had been hired to drive for us. The first day we met, I really liked him. He was someone who knew how to work hard, was disciplined, and was a man of integrity.

When we moved to Cambodia he and I would go to coffee every morning. He would help me with my Khmer language and I would help him with English. We would talk about family, life, and work. We laughed a lot at the plight of humanity and the struggles of Cambodia. He was a joy to be with.

We also worked together. Ny was capable of so much more than driving, so we promoted him to the Director of Security and Facilities. We worked together on establishing ARC, we did family assessments, went to court with clients, and even argued over issues.

Ny came from a litany of hard circumstances. He watched his father murdered under the Khmer Rouge, fought as a child soldier against Vietnam in the 1980's, and suffered a number of financial difficulties in his youth. And yet, through it all, Ny was always positive about life and work. He came to work with a smile and a great attitude.

On top of that, we had grown to love each other. Athena and I were paying for his daughter to attend private school and English lessons. Ny had become very protective of my family and insisted on sleeping on my couch when I was out of town to make sure they were safe. As well, I was addicted to Vietnamese coffee, so Ny would ensure that my coffee was always waiting for me in the morning - no matter what!

I could spend pages describing the times we had together, the love he showed me and our family always, and the commitment to our friendship. Even after we had formed TCI, Ny would spend his off hours helping me with administrative things and driving me around. In October we spent a couple of days together. We said we would get together in November when I returned from Indonesia, but it would never happen.

While consulting on a project in Indonesia, I received a call from Athena that Ny was sick and in the hospital. Within a couple of days, the doctors discovered that Ny had AIDS. Within the span of the next two days, Ny died from this horrible disease. The grief from the loss of my friend has been very heavy and I have struggled with how to live with his absence.

After I returned from Indonesia, I went to Ny's grave site with his wife and nephew. It was a time to console them and to ensure that they knew the love and commitment to our friendship. We will continue to help support their children and honor the friendship in any way that we are capable. Cambodia has experienced yet another loss of a wonderful person who was committed to changing the world. He is a dear friend, deeply missed.

Tuesday, December 4, 2007

Holly Movie - Screening in Portland


Once in a while there are films worth seeing. More so, films on human trafficking are often Hollywood grade entertainment and fail to really address the heart of the issue. The movies "Human Trafficking" and "Trade" are two films that failed to really make the grade. "Holly" on the other hand, really addresses the complexity of the issue, as well as, what is needed to help make a difference.

November 30th, we had the pleasure of hosting "Holly" and one of its producers, Adi Ezroni, in Portland for a screening of the film. We had a great turn out for the film, including a large number of Cambodian-Americans. The film is about a young Vietnamese girl, trafficked into Cambodia, where she encounters and American who wants to help her escape.

Watching the film, I was stunned by the overall authenticity of the situations, the characters, and the emotions conveyed. At one point in the film, Holly is brought into a shelter, where she wrestles with the dichotomy of being freed from slavery only to be put into an institution. I cannot tell you how many times I have lived this moment - the first day of a young lady coming into your program and the emotional struggle.
The end of the movie is really a pivotal moment - it leaves it up to the viewer to decide Holly's fate. In many ways, the plight or future of all of the Holly's in Cambodia is up to us. I would encourage you to see the film and allow it to impact you regarding the reality of this important issue.