Mae Sai, the northern most city in Thailand, is a hub for the Centre of ‘Development and Education Programmes for Daughters and Communities’. This NGO was established in 1989 and it works on the prevention of child and woman trafficking in the areas of sex industry or other abusive labour situations. Alexandra Wolf, a part of the International Relations Department of the Northeastern University, has worked with this NGO for five months. She regards the task of tackling human trafficking in the sex industry as ‘absolutely critical’.
The experience of living and interviewing the very ones who have experienced trafficking is a raw and pure data. It teaches you the real state than what is described in journals and research papers. Wolf had an opportunity to interact with the few victims of trafficking and the process has helped her to have a deeper insight in the racket of this social crime. Apart from this service, her responsibility included working on media awareness, writing grants, fund raising, and teaching English.
Even though her programme was a schedule of 5 months, she was immensely affected by the horrifying incidents that she witnessed in the world of trafficking. It has readily enforced and motivated her to work for the victims and to help as much as possible in eradicating human trafficking in Thailand, South East Asia, and around the world. She desires to devote herself and her professional career for this noble cause.
I use the term ‘noble cause’ for a reason. The reason is not only the struggle against a widespread racket but also about giving the victim (of trafficking) his or her voice and a choice. The basic amenity of one’s freedom when snatched leaves the person in extreme bondage. It is the attempt and the grapple of leaving and breaking through the chains to fly out into a free life which these victims desire and wish for.
Akshara Palshetkar
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