Trip Update Week One
From the tears to the laughter, the jaw-dropping to the eye-opening, the obstacles to the accomplishments, the first week in Bangkok proved to be quite the ride.
We have diverse backgrounds and varying skill-sets. It is interesting to watch how those backgrounds unite to bring economic, emotional and physical support to these women that have survived the commercial sex trade.
We planned an array of workshops, outings and projects that will produce immediate and long-term benefits.
Our goals for week one were to: “set up camp”, workout the complex logistics for Biographe, establish relationships with the women, and continue to deepen our relationship with our flagship parter, Nightlight. Thankfully, we met those goals. Here are some examples of what our first week looked like.
Art Therapy with Kim:
Kim lead the women in a powerful series of art therapy sessions that were designed to reveal and heal. She guided them, and helped them express their emotions and feelings through art.
The women enjoyed sharing their new artwork. The stories behind their artwork ranged from tragic to hopeful.
Concepts from despair, anger, hopelessness to happiness, beauty and love were discussed. Many women said they have kept these feelings inside and it was healing and comfortable to express them while painting or drawing.
I was shocked by how powerful the act of being creative is. For the first time some of these women were able to connect with a child-like side of themselves and were able to express this in an entirely new way.
Our restorative programs are the perfect kickstart to the ongoing creative opportunities that will be available to the women through Biographe.
Beauty Workshops with Christie and Pepper:
Christie and Pepper taught a series of hair and makeup classes giving the women both new skill sets and positive bonding experiences.
Though hesitant in the beginning, the women became excited about things they had never seen. They observed various techniques and spent time practicing on one another. Fantastic relationships of trust and friendship were beginning to form.
“We had a lot of fun and when I asked the group what they considered beauty or thought was beautiful they unanimously told me confidence.” – Pepper
To conclude the beauty workshops, the women had makeovers, then were photographed by Nina and Anthony.
Each individual was given a color print of themselves. They were extremely grateful that others were willing to dedicate time to them.
Restoring the physical with Dental care:
Most of the survivors cannot afford basic health care. Because of a generous donor, TBP was able to provide resources for dental care for each of the women at our current location in Bangkok.
This was the first time that most of these ladies had ever been to the dentist, and it was very apparent in their response and the confidence they exuded the next day.
We were told that one women was so ecstatic about her new “pearly whites” that she could’t help but show them off the next day at work. To everybody! She was just so excited. She stated that she had been praying for an opportunity like this for a long time and that it was truly God answering her prayers.
Breaking the cycle of generational extreme poverty:
Our biggest “to do” on this trip is to set up the factory for our clothing line Biographe – a premium sustainable style brand that employs and empowers survivors of the commercial sex trade. The business model is simple: we design, the survivors produce the jewelry and apparel, we market and sell, and then reinvest all of the profits back into the survivors.
This is an economically sustainable model that will employ hundreds of women in the coming years!
Much of the TBP crew spent time this week sourcing material, meeting with vendors and on conference calls to places yet unseen.
Screen printing equipment finally made it through customs and arrived last Friday afternoon.
This marks the beginning of great things to come.
The action-filled week was wrapped up with a celebratory lunch party for all of the women. Everyone danced, played games and mingled.
We seemed to have perpetual smiles. Smiles that hid tired eyes, but smiles nonetheless.
Thank you for keeping up with TBP. Next week: More photos, more stories, and eye care by Jess!
Grateful. Joyous. Relieved.
- Anthony, Executive Director / Founder
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