The sungtow arrived at 730 a.m, since the trek to the center was a good 20 minutes from the hotel. Interesting to see the world from the open back of a pick-up truck -- organized chaos of unruly traffic, tons of exhaust, and the morning in full swing. The road to the center was tranquil and swampy. After a couple minutes on a remote road, I see what looks like a palatial estate. Sprawling lawns, covered terraces and hand carved furniture create a peaceful, inviting environment. Upon approaching the door, I was greeted by the current facility manager (a fellow American), dedicating her time for several months to provide support and expertise to the facility. After a brief tour, 4 girls arrive looking tired and timid. All of the girls had been working at the bars the evening before, and dedicated their time to come to the equipping center during their sleeping hours to learn new skills, so one day they can transition jobs.
Throughout the day, I learned bits and pieces from each of the girls. The most outgoing of the bunch told me that she was one of 5 girls, and that her mother and one of her sisters is dead. She was from a Northern hill tribe, and her Dad is dying of cancer. Her income from working in Chiang Mai helps support her family back home. My impression of all the girls that spent the day training and working at the center was that while they were physically and emotionally exhausted, they all had sweet, innocent demeanor's. How awful life dealt them this deck of cards. My task for the week was to work in this "equipping center," helping teach and refine culinary skills to the workers, giving them other job options in the future. Goods we make during the week will be sold to help support the center.
Through conversations with the Executive Director later that day, he informed me that all of the bar workers he has encountered have endured some sort of trauma, neglect, or abuse prior to working in the bars. None have extensive education (hang onto that thought), so options are thought to be limited. I suppose if you couple limited options with lack of self esteem, prostitution seems like the only option. Surely the girls I met today have experienced great trauma and disrespect in their short life -- they all seemed so fragile. One thing they all had in common was a dead look in their eyes.
While saddened by my meetings with these girls, I was encouraged by a full-time center worker that had begun employment outside of the bars about 6 months ago -- the program works!
Later that night, I took a stroll down a couple infamous streets in Chiang Mai -- ones lined with open air bars, crawling with Western men and young local women. Bars front as brothels -- simple as that. Everyone knows it, it's accepted, and in a way, ignored. Walking down the streets, seeing the sad, dead eyes of the girls, saddened me enormously. No one wants to sell their body for money. Every single one of these girls/women felt they had no other choice, and they are violated everyday because of this decision. I just don't buy "voluntary prostitution." Lack of choices, education, and self esteem drive women to make this life changing decision.
Learning's from Day 2
- Education is key. Education is empowerment. I read it, and now I see it. Education gives individuals options. Options opens doors of opportunity, and an environment where women learn that their contribution to society can be so much more than servicing of men.
- Female equality is equally as important as eduction (but harder to directly effect from our end). My personal opinion is that Thailand will not be able to fully develop until 1/2 their population is valued.
- While the bar workers were earning money for their family, it was not offsetting the humiliation and emotional suffering they were enduring.
I hope they come back tomorrow.
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