Prevent Trafficking Through Literacy

Earlier this year, we welcomed Mo (short for Theng Mo, meaning Watermelon in Thai) to our team. During my recent visit to Thailand, I had the privilege of observing a few of her classes—I was impressed with her ability to teach under unique circumstances.

The sun was setting as I stood outside talking with Mo. Women of various ages began to arrive in clusters, socializing with one another and stopping to greet their teacher.

We entered the village-style structure, where just an hour before, some of us sat on the ground for dinner, eating rice and vegetables next to the small fire that kept a kettle warm.

As the women entered, they all helped to prepare the environment. Some women unrolled long mats to sit on while others grabbed books and pencils. Everyone sat in a circle around a single light bulb that would provide just enough light to see. Some women wore their headlamps, a necessity for all villagers after sunset.

Along the wall, there is a large chalkboard that rests on the floor with Thai writing left from the morning lesson.

When class begins, it doesn't take long for kids from the neighborhood to show up and join in the lesson, not distracting the class but observing and occasionally participating.

The following morning not all women were alone as the night before. I watched from the inside as mothers entered the space, their toddlers holding tightly to their mother's hands. Some mothers came with infants secured to their bodies, tightly wrapped in cloth.

When the lesson began, I was amazed at how the mothers kept their little ones entertained while engaging in the lesson. The class was about an hour long—it's all the time the children allow. The class ended with a few snacks and a time for socializing.

I observed one of the women stay longer to write notes from the blackboard in her notebook.

At Creative Life Foundation, we believe that access to education is a human right and the necessary tool needed for breaking generational cycles of poverty and exploitation. With your continued support, we can continue providing literacy classes for hill tribe women in Northern Thailand.