Friday and today (being Monday) have been filled with meetings with Mr. Manat (f you’re wondering who that is… read my last blog). Mr. Manat has now affectionately started calling me Fa-Mui. The Fa-Mui is a rare orchid, which only grows in the northern region of Thailand. The orchid needs the right amount of heat and coolness along with moisture that only these mountains seem to produce. I find this prophetic in a way… but I digress.
Friday and Monday have been full of meetings. Friday was much less successful than today. It was one of those “Thai” days where you have a million things to do and one gets done. Or half of one. We got to the town building at 9am on Friday expecting a meeting/conference with other people from Chiang Rai. The problem? Major thunderstorms. This is not such a big deal for us in America but when you put major thunderstorms (I’m talking torrential down pour) and two lane highways which run along side major river tributaries you have major issues. By 11:30 the people from Chiang Rai had finally arrived. And, after a lot of translation, we realized that the people (including Mr. Manat) there along with the people from Chiang Rai were akin to social workers back in the states.
Now this is warm and cozy. We have social workers meeting to find out how to run better programs for the people in their district. The kicker? Mr. Manat’s office is completely volunteer based. Meaning, Mr. Manat and his staff volunteer their time to the youth, elderly, disabled and misfortunate people in the Phrao district in order to ensure their community is a better one. Until that point, I had no idea.
Back to the meeting… I actually have no recollection of what happened that day. They arrived by 11:30 and promptly decided that lunch was in order (which for me was inedible) and then at 12:30ish the meeting (which was supposed to begin at 9) finally started. They talked about programs and showed a few videos, which PJ dutifully translated (sort of… we were all extremely exhausted from doing nothing all day) and by 2pm we called it a day and left early.
Today was much more productive and timely. Today was a conference for all the local district (and sub district and sub sub district) leaders. The conference was on awareness of children’s rights and the problems that plague our district and what might be done to solve these problems—it was much more up our alley and I was able to find out an amazing number of statistics.
For example, it is estimated that over half of the Thai population has been abused either physically, emotionally, mentally or sexually at some point in there life. OVER HALF. It is estimated that over half (54%) of the female population has been molested, raped, sexually abused or forced into sexual labor. HALF. These numbers include those women forced into the sex trade (most of which come from the hill tribes.. the people that warm heart specifically works with). In comparison, it is estimated that 25% of women in the united states are sexually abused or molested by the age of 18. It is no wonder that such a large part of the population resorts to alcohol and drug abuse to escapte the horror.
Whats more, physical abuses are rampant. Many “punishments” are achaic and while they were made illegal decades ago people in these districts were either unaware or didn’t care. The new government is changing how things are done—seminars like the one we were at today told us what these kids were and how parents who practice these abuses (which include caning and burning) could and would be punished. They talked about the culture to “hide” it from local authorities in order to protect a family’s “good name” and how this should not be done. Kids have rights.
Beyond that they talked about how the youth in this area find ways to escape (no small wonder they do) into a world of drugs, alcohol, video games (internet cafes with gaming has become HUGE in this area of the world), sex and motorbike racing. One guy, a 20 year old kid, was there to represent the youth council in his village. He told us that he would be our advocate and talk to youth in each village getting leaders in each one (11 in all) to speak with us about the problems facing youth in each village. Together, with the help of the Thai people who are motivated for change we can address the consequences of such abuses and walk the kids and youth through a program that teaches them a better way to live.
Just before going into the seminar Mr. Manat asked me “Do you think this program will really work?” And I was humbled that he asked me such a question. Why would I know? But I answered anyway “If we show them how to be good neighbors by example and teach addicted kids how to stay clean—then they can help their friends stay clean. I think it can work if we teach them how to help each other. We need to help them find the Buddha within and to show their friends the Buddha within themselves… if we do that… I think it can work.” And for a moment Mr. Manat seemed relieved. More will be revealed.
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