Tomorrow we depart for northern Thailand to experience one of two field studies that this program offers. It will be a week-long practical study. Friday’s class consisted of an in depth overview about human trafficking and refugee camps. Early next week will consist of speaking to government officials, NGOs and other agencies who will discuss the challenges of trafficking responders, talk about trafficking issues in Thailand, and tell us about their involvement with victim response. Do you know that trafficking brings in over US$31 billion and that there are over 1 million people a year (2 people every minute) who are victims of trafficking. We were told that this was a very loose number. Regardless, it is tragic and a sobering endemic reality.In regard to refugee camps, please take some time to read this article: http://www.unhcr.org/498ab65c2.html … very thought provoking. It makes you wonder (sigh) what place do these people call “home?” As you may read, Angelina Jolie was actually there in February of last year (2009) and we will be at the same camp next Tuesday.
Here's Erinma doing some last minute ironing ... After such an intense day, Manisha, Andrezza (who I'll introduce to you at a later time) and I had an aromatic massage with oil, drank fresh vegetable/fruit juice for dinner and went "snack shopping" for tomorrow.... off to sleep, anticipating a week that will provide unique and intense experiences, one's that will surely change my life... So in just a few hours, I will leave the city of angels - Bangkok!!
