Prevent Trafficking Through Literacy

Dear friends,

It's December, which means we are preparing for January when our literacy program is offered to women and girls in 2 villages through the end of March. It's a time of year when the women look forward to taking a break from the labors of farming to build their reading and writing skills—It's also a fun way to engage with their neighbors!

As you know, our program targets women and girls who had to drop out of school at a young age or never attended—missing the opportunity to learn how to read and write. Our program not only reinforces the importance of education in the community but also gives the tools needed for women to better support their children in school and engage with their teachers. Literacy is a powerful tool for change.

"Beyond its importance as part of the right to education, literacy improves lives by expanding capabilities which in turn reduces poverty, increases participation in the labour market and has positive effects on health and sustainable development." —UNESCO

This program is locally run and supported through the Creative Life Foundation and your generosity!

Last week, we launched our Christmas Year-End Appeal. We have $25,000 to raise between now and the end of the year, and I'm hopeful we can do it!

Can you make a one-time gift to help us reach our goal? All gift sizes are greatly appreciated!

Your generous support will help us close the year fully funded and help increase our impact in 2024—allowing us to:
- Open an office in Chiang Mai—giving our team and students a place to gather and develop our work in Northern Thailand
- Hire an additional team member
- Accept ten more students into our scholarship program

From all of us at CLF, thank you for helping make our work possible!

PS. Why should you give?

- Thailand is among the highest countries experiencing human trafficking. According to the 2-22 Trafficking in Person Report, 63.5% of officially identified victims were female, 36.5% were male, and 47.7% were children.

- Education is one of the strongest preventative measures against human trafficking, and yet, out of the poorest parts of Thailand, only 19% of children graduate from high school. Out of the students enrolled in our scholarship and mentorship programs, only 6% of their parents received a high school diploma.

- Our individualized approach is creating long-term change where 86% of our participants have graduated high school, and most continue to receive their bachelor's degree.

- Currently we have 23 students in university and 5 in vocational school. In the next 2-years we will have an additional 13 students working on their bachelor's degree. Our graduates stay connected to CLF and become mentors for our younger students, helping long-term sustainability of our work.

- The average investment per student is $52 a month ($620 a year).

Gifts can be made on our website at www.creativelifefoundation.com