News From Thailand
I'll Be Home for Easter!
Carolina Here I Come...
What!?! At about the six-month mark (having left the US at the end of September 2016) I will be heading home for 5 weeks (March 24th - April 28th). I thought you were staying in Thailand for a year? So did I. After my first few weeks on the ground, I began to perceive the need to extend that original plan. My main goal in visiting the US at this point is to share what I have learned so far, and to explain my desire to stay in Thailand until at least the end of 2018. Explain to whom? To anyone who is interested in human trafficking, working with child victims, fighting online exploitation of children, and what God is teaching me through all of this. I would love the opportunity to share with groups- large or small. Church or community-based. Please contact me to schedule a time!
In the meantime, it's easy to get bogged down in the heartbreak of these issues, so I thought I would share some current success stories...
Prevention Success
We recently took our after school kids on an all-day Saturday field trip! The little ones visited a camp-like resort where they got to see exotic plants and animals, and eat at a buffet:) The middle ones attended a neighborhood carnival with food, arts, and crafts. And the older gals were treated to a photography lesson in a beautiful city park. The whole day was a special treat for all of us!
Protection Success
Our protection team supported law enforcement this month on a difficult case involving both a young perpetrator and a young victim. Even though the situation was devastating, we got to witness law enforcement truly taking a child-centered approach throughout the operation. As an NGO, we were able to partner with officials and help turn a crisis situation into an opportunity for help and healing for everyone involved. This is huge progress.
Restoration Success
When a child suffers abuse, sometimes loving parents suffer as well. When the abuse is sexual, parents can experience their own complicated responses to the trauma. Our counseling team was recently able to guide and console a distraught mother whose son had been victimized. She sent our team a message afterward: "Thank you so much for talking to me this morning. I now feel more hopeful and strong no matter what the outcome is."
Things I'm Looking Forward To...
- Chick. Fil. A.
- Seeing family and friends.
- Breathing in a place with emissions standards.
- Hot water in the kitchen sink.
- Returning to Thailand again- which now also feels like home.
Contact Helen
Email: Helen@HUGproject.org
Website: www.theelephantchronicles.com
Phone: 0953215655
Facebook: facebook.com/helen.naples