Hali Brook ('13)
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| We have two boys and two girls homes in the Chiang Mai, Thailand area. This is our whole family including 150+ children, Thai workers, and American workers |
In May 2013, I graduated from AU with a double major in
Criminal Justice and Religion and a minor in Spanish. I had known for several
years that I wanted to work with human trafficking and missions so when I heard
about Remember Nhu (www.remembernhu.org)
the organization was a perfect fit.
We work against the sex slave trade by
intervening in the lives of children who are at risk for being sold in the
trade. They are welcomed into our children’s homes where their educational,
physical, spiritual, and emotional needs are met--probably for the first time in
their lives. Currently we have 32 homes in 9 countries and we are continually
expanding as the Lord leads.
In Thailand I had the privilege of being able to live in the
children’s home. I taught English to the children and Thai workers, organized
activities for the kids, and assisted the house parents and American staff in
whatever they needed.
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| Two of four sisters who live in our home |
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| Posing for a picture |
Most of our children come from
homes with only one parent, drug and substance abuse, poverty, a new
step-parent who doesn’t accept the children from previous marriages or in many
cases a combination of few of these. The
typical age range of the children is 5-19 years old. For most children,
learning English and completing high school is a huge success and a guarantee
that they will be able to find viable work and not fall prey to the sex trade
after completing school and leaving our home. Children are also able and
encouraged to go to college if they desire. However, not all people are able to
succeed in school. Some of our children come to us late in their childhood with
never having consistently attending school. If they are so far behind,
eventually they may not be able to pass the exams that some countries require
to pass onto the next grade level. Therefore, Remember Nhu has started to open
doors for vocational training. I was asked to move to Cambodia in January for
three months to help open the vocational training center in Phnom Penh. I
served as director of the center as well as an English and Math instructor and
a Jewelry instructor. The center opened in January and we have had five girls
so far come through and start to learn jewelry making, card making, and sewing.
Having a trade and skill to fall back on will be a life preserver for those who
can go onto college or even finish high school.
Products will soon be sold on the Remember Nhu website and the proceeds
will be invested back into vocational training.
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| Learning for the first time how to sew on a machine |
I am currently home on furlough; however, in August I will
be moving to work with Remember Nhu in Bolivia. I will continue vocational
training development and teaching English and Spanish. If you would like to
learn more and follow my ministry you can check on my blog: http://followhali.tumblr.com/
Peace and Blessings,
Hali Brook