The large cities of Thailand are where the poor come with dreams of freedom from poverty. Families continue looking for ways to support themselves. Often, poor families from the mountain regions will send their daughters to the city in order to earn money. Either it’s because they are living in extreme poverty and need the support of more income, or it’s so that a son in the family can attend school, or even just so they can “upgrade” their life. It is debated whether the parents really know what they are sending their daughter into when they send their daughters to work in the cities.

These women and girls come into the cities looking for work, perhaps as a waitress or a street vender. However, due to lack of education, the girls cannot find jobs. The brothels and bars in Thailand know of the girls’ situation and will promise them a job. The girls are often deceived into thinking that they are being offered jobs as a housemaid or waitresses. Often a girl will accept the job, even after she find out what it really is, because she has no other choice. Most of them find shame in returning home jobless, or the hunger pains are just too great for them to decline the offer. She soon becomes entangled into a system which, although pays well enough for her family members not to ask questions, strips her of her dignity and reduces her to an object sought out by the highest bidder. If she becomes infected with HIV/AIDS, she is either sent home to a life of shame, or she goes to the streets where she will work in horrifying and dangerous conditions.

In Patpong, Thailand, one of the most well know areas for prostitution, Rahab Ministries works tirelessly to give girls another option. Rahab Ministries is a Christian organization reaching out these women in prostitution. They offer them an alternative source of income and a way to leave the life of prostitution that has taken a hold of them. In this process, they offer hope by sharing the good news of life in Christ.

Rahab Ministries has a hair salon to which many girls come before their evenings out. Their salon is less expensive then others so it is very popular. Girls feel safe here, not only can they talk about their day in a safe environment; they can also hear testimonies of girls who have left prostitution. Rahab will send women to school to become hair stylists, or they will train them in jewelry making. In either job, they can earn a living wage, making enough money to support themselves and their family with dignity.

Many girls never wanted to be in prostitution, but their situation leaves them with no choice. The staff at Rahab Ministries helps the girls to recover their dignity and heal from the abuse they suffered. They offer the girls hope for their future economically, mentally, and spiritually.

Bright Hope is privileged to be supporting Rahab Ministries through the sales of their beautiful craft. Your purchases at Bright Hope will enable women and girls to leave the life of prostitution that they were forced into, and allow Rahab Ministries to continue their life changing work in Thailand through new job opportunities leading to self-worth, and hope.

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Thailand

location: Southeastern Asia
population: 65,068,149
median age: 32.4 years old
life expectancy: 72.55 years
religion: Buddhist (95%), Muslim (5%), Christian (1%)
aids prevalence: 1.5%
below the poverty line: 10%

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All stats courtesy of CIA World Factbook