By Lucy McCray | Director of Strategy
“The biggest impact of COVID-19 has been on my work. Because of COVID, my work at the pizza shop isn't consistent and it has meant my income is lower. This means I can’t pay my bills like my rent, and that I have to find work in other places. Usually I work 5-6 days per week 8-10 hours per day, whereas now I am working 2 days or sometimes 3 days per week, 3-4 hours per day,” Jaeng explained. She is working while studying to finish her degree because she is responsible for supporting both herself and her parents who are old and live in a remote village in Northern Thailand. The loss of income during COVID-19 lockdowns meant she was struggling financially, and so were her parents.
Because of you, we were able to provide emergency funding to Jaeng and students like her to provide the funds for her housing, food, and other necessities. This support ensures that despite the current hardships and challenges from COVID they can continue their education.
We have also given out over 3,000 masks and hygiene kits for at-risk communities, and have distributed dry goods to vulnerable communities that have lost work or income due to the virus. We are continuing to monitor the situation as Thailand gradually re-opens and our students have returned to school.
Trafficking thrives in situations where people are in desperate need and have few choices. COVID-19 threatens to increase risk of trafficking by pushing families deeper into poverty, decreasing opportunities for work, while also increasing the time students spend online, thereby leaving them more susceptible to online exploitation. During these difficult times, our commitment to the prevention of child trafficking remains. Together we will work to ensure children in Northern Thailand will stay in school, know their rights, and that their families will be able to rise above poverty.
If you would like to learn more about our work and how it is being impacted by COVID-19, you can join us on August 4th at 6pm PDT, 7pm MDT or 9pm EDT. The link to register is at the bottom of our report.
We are so thankful for your support in changing the lives of students like Jaeng.
In Hope,
Lucy
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