Ten years ago, churches from two continents combined their compassion and knowledge to help at-risk Tribal women in northern Thailand.  The First Church of Chiang Rai and Mercer Island Presbyterian Church in the United States began providing annual education scholarships to help prevent 50-70 girls from falling into prostitution or otherwise becoming victims of human trafficking.

Girls sponsored through the program not only receive scholarships, they are now also encouraged to participate in social and educational activities providing an opportunity to develop important life skills, build lasting relationships, and raise their social awareness.

Changing Thai Society

When resources are scarce, more often than not it is women who suffer first. This is especially true in regards to opportunities for formal education. Without an education women have few employment options and are particularly vulnerable to prostitution and sex trafficking. 

In the past, giving impoverished young girls the chance to go to school was an effective means of stopping this cycle. Girls who were full-time students were very unlikely to be sexually active or become involved in prostitution. Their risk of contracting HIV/AIDS, or suffering the emotional trauma that often comes with multiple sex partners, was reduced. 

This is no longer the case.

Alone, the opportunity to attain an education is simply not enough to prevent a girl from engaging in prostitution or high risk behavior. In Chiang Rai alone there are an estimated 10,000 girls involved in prostitution – about 10-percent of all girls enrolled in school. The average age of a Thai girl’s first sexual encounter is 13. The opportunity to attain an education is not enough to prevent a girl from engaging in prostitution or high risk behavior.

In November of 2006, 58 young women were given educational scholarships. The ages of the girls ranged anywhere from five years  to young adults. The scholarship recipients organise events and camps as well as produce a newsletter every six months.

Money is just the beginning...

Mekong Minority Foundation believes that sponsorship should not just be about giving gifts of money, but about taking the time to get involved in each of their lives as a positive influence.  In addition to giving impoverished young girls an opportunity to receive a formal education, the Sponsorship Program equips them with the life skills necessary to make good decisions and be leaders in their communities.

Mekong Minority Staff engage in mentoring relationships with the girls, spend time getting to know them, and help the girls to develop their potential.

Participation in activities arranged through the program helps the girls to become more socially aware of problems in their communities, and gives them the confidence, skills and knowledge to help meet these needs.