February 2025 was a month to be remembered in TRAGAST. The Bla Bla Bla
Below you will find information about our upcoming human trafficking awareness event (Bangkok 8 November) and “Project Meghan”, an appeal to support the Mae Tao Clinic. Please support these as you can. There is also an excerpt written by Matthew Friedman, the Mekong Club which is compelling.
My friend and mentor Matt Friedman recently mentioned that on his birthday he had gifted copies of his book “Dancing in the Light of the Moon” to his Linked In community as a way of raising awareness and giving something back. This is one of the books I’ve read in the past year and it is truly excellent. I thought this bulletin might be a good opportunity to recommend a few books that inspire me to continue the fight against child trafficking:
Matt's latest book, at least that I have read, is Awakening the Advocate - Memoirs of a Modern Slavery Activist. When you read this book you will be reminded that it's crucial that we do something! What that something might be will depend on our individual abilities and circumstances.
Dancing in the Light of the Moon is written as a novel which was inspired by true events from many interviews and extensive research Matt conducted in different parts of India. It's very powerful!
Where Were You? - A Profile of Modern Slavery. Written by Matt Friedman and published in 2021. The question 'Where Were You? was asked by a young victim of sex trafficking. This book is not ordinary, pleasant or even nice. It is essential for those of us who want to start to understand the hell that is human trafficking.
Be The Hero - Be the Change is one of my favorite books by Matt Friedman. The whole point of the book is to inspire all of us to do one thing. Friedman believes that the collective actions of ordinary people have the greatest chance of effecting a real transformation. He considers everyone who volunteers, no matter how big or small the gesture, to be heroic.
All these books and many more are available on Amazon.
The Mae Tao Clinic has critical shortages of needed equipment in their Reproductive Health Unit. Please help by making a donation and sharing this with your kind and caring family, friends and colleagues. The goal of this campaign is to raise ฿822,238 THB ($33,900 CAD, $24,403 USD).
Credit for this campaign goes to Meghan Jenkins, a medical student who recently spent a month at Mae Tao Clinic and observed these needs. I have met with the Mae Tao Clinic Reproductive Health Consultant and other Mae Tao Clinic staff. The needs have been verified and prioritized.
Most of the photographs are courtesy of John Hulme who has spent many days at the Mae Tao clinic. You can see more of his excellent work at johnhulme.site
Here is a summary of what is needed: (detailed descriptions are below)
ITEM
QUOTE 1
QTY
$CAD
$USD
฿THB
Priority
Electronic Fetal Monitor
$5,000
1
$5,000
$3,599
฿121,274
1
CPAC Machine
$1,400
1
$1,400
$1,008
฿33,957
2
Incubator
$10,500
1
$10,500
$7,558
฿254,675
3
Infusion Pump
$2,500
5
$12,500
$8,998
฿303,185
4
Amni Hooks (500 per packet)
$500
9
$4,500
$3,239
฿109,147
5
Project Meghan Total
$33,900
$24,403
฿822,238
Exchange Rates
10/27/2024
USD - CAD
0.71984
CAD - THB
24.2548
USD - THB
33.6940
Two easy ways to donate:
Go to the Mae Tao Clinic Website. Here you will find opportunities to donate which may be tax deductible! Please be sure to note that your donation is for the Mae Tao Clinic Reproductive Health Unit fundraising campaign. (Project Meghan)
Make a direct deposit to the TRAGAST programs account.Again, please be sure to notify us at treasurer@tragast.org that your donation is for the Mae Tao Clinic Reproductive Health Unit fundraising campaign. (Project Meghan)
Bangkok Bank
Pratu Chang Phuak Branch
125 Chang phuak Rd, T.Sriphum A. Muang
Chiangmai 50300 Thailand
Swift Code: BKKBTHBK
Account Number: 390-4-85760-8
Name on Account: PONGSAWART NIYOMCA & GERALD EDWARD NELSON
Your kind donations will go to fund:
1. Electronic Fetal Monitor (EFT): Due to a lack of antenatal care, many patients face high-risk pregnancies. Currently, staff rely on manual monitoring methods considering their previously donated EMF became nonfunctional in 2023. Manual monitoring is less accurate and time-consuming, with medics spending 10 minutes every 30 using a fetoscope and manual palpation of contractions.
An EFM would allow healthcare providers to continuously and accurately monitor the fetal heart rate and uterine contractions, helping to detect signs of fetal distress early. This technology would greatly enhance the ability to prevent complications, make timely interventions, and ultimately reduce neonatal and maternal mortality.
2. Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine: Mae Tao Clinic urgently needs a CPAP machine to provide critical respiratory support for patients experiencing respiratory distress, particularly in newborns and those with underlying health conditions. Currently, the clinic lacks access to this essential equipment, which limits their ability to deliver effective care.
3. Incubator: Mae Tao Clinic is in dire need of an incubator to provide a controlled and safe environment for premature and critically ill newborns. Currently, the clinic holds two incubators. Due to the high birth rate in the region, these 2 incubators are not sufficient for the needs of the clinic, limiting MTC’s capacity to ensure proper temperature regulation and care for these vulnerable infants.
4. Infusion Pump: An infusion pump is badly needed at Mae Tao Clinic. Some pharmacologic agents, such as heparin, require precise methods for administering very specific amounts of the medication over a very specific time frame. That is one of the purposes of infusion pumps. Additionally, they help prevent fluid overload by limiting the amount of fluid administered.
5. Amni hooks: The patients at Mae Tao Clinic often have little or no pre-natal care causing possible complications and often a need to control the birth timing. An amnihook is about 12 inches long with a curved hook at the top. It resembles a hook you'd use to crotchet a blanket. To break the patient’s water, the healthcare provider inserts the amnihook through the vagina. Once they find the bag of water or amniotic sac, they scratch or tear a hole in it to allow the fluid to escape. This pprovides physicians with a safe, comfortable method to rupture the amniotic membrane the first time. Mae Tao Clinic is currently forced to reuse single use amnihooks for multiple patients due to a shortage of supplies, increasing the risk of infection during childbirth. Donor support to provide additional amnihooks would ensure safer, more hygienic deliveries, improving maternal and newborn health outcomes in this resource-limited setting.
With your kind heart and generous donations we hope to close this campaign around 31 January 2025.
The below was written by my friend and mentor Matt Friedman. It reminded me that we deal with horrific things and need to remember that each of us reacts a bit differently.
Jerry Nelson
It is too sad
Some individuals struggle to confront sad and distressing news, as well as the pressing social issues of our time, including human trafficking. After a talk I gave in Canada, one woman approached me and said:
“I didn’t like your talk. It made me feel sad and depressed. I wish I hadn’t come. The information you shared completely ruined my day. I don’t want to feel this way.”
Her sentiment is something I've frequently encountered in my talks over the years. Here are two other comments:
“When I think about all of the many problems faced by the world, it makes me cringe. I really don’t like to face them.”
“I change the channel whenever I see those kids on the TV in those poor countries. It breaks my heart to witness their suffering.”
To avoid dealing with these feelings, many people choose to ignore difficult social issues entirely.
I realized that this would be one of my biggest challenges after receiving feedback from dozens of people who read my yet-to-be-published book on the horrors of forced prostitution, "Captive Daughters". Many who started reading it found it difficult to continue past page 67, where a sex trafficking initiation scene unfolds.
Why? They get to this section and the content puts them off. They told me, “It’s too sad and depresses me. I don’t want to expose myself to something like this.”
So here you have someone who is sitting in their living room, on their couch, with the air conditioning on, a cup of coffee in hand, and they can’t even face words on a page. Imagine if one of us were on the receiving end of this problem. Shouldn’t such a horrific reality spur us to act?
I agree that the topic of human slavery is difficult. It showcases the worst aspects of humanity: rape, torture, abuse, pain, suffering, oppression, despair, and early death. There really is no way to soften this reality.
The same applies to all other global issues. Poverty, hunger, disease, and inequality are all harsh and challenging topics to confront.
To address these issues, we must understand, empathize, and act. We must be motivated to take action despite our discomfort. We must understand the disturbing facts and take action. More than 50 million slaves around the world are crying out: “Where are you?” We must respond to them.
Reflecting on the past, I've come to realize that those of us fighting against slavery may have inadvertently contributed to the problem. Our graphic information and messages may have alienated some individuals. A closed mind cannot help those who are suffering, leading to missed opportunities. We should consider offering a more subtle approach to raising awareness for those who would appreciate it.
We need to strike a delicate balance between informing people about the horrors of injustice while at the same time suggesting things they can do to help.
This is what I am trying to do in my posts.
Sometimes I don’t know what to say. Any suggestions?
TRAGAST invites you to attend a special event to raise awareness of human trafficking featuring the film The Sound of Freedom. There is no charge to see the film. However seating is limited. Reserve your seat today. email to info@tragast.org.
Details:
The movie is complimentary and has Thai Subtitlesคำบรรยายไทย. However, there are only 80 seats available. Registration is easy, just
click hereor send an email totreasurer@tragast.orgto guarantee your seat.
Agenda:
15:00 Welcome (Foreign Correspondent's Club Bangkok) - Penthouse, Maneeya Center 518/5 Ploenchit Road
15:30 Screening of "The Sound of Freedom"
18:00 Closing Comments - Speaker is Peerasin Chatchawart, A21 Thailand Country Manager
18:30 Optional Dinner
20:30 Bon Voyage
Registration for Movie – complimentary. There are only 60 seats available.
Registration for Dinner on or before 6 November:฿600
Registration at the door 8 November, if not sold out: ฿1,500
For payment just transfer funds to:
Bangkok Bank
Pratu Chang Phuak Branch
125 Chang phuak Rd, T.Sriphum A. Muang
Chiangmai 50300 Thailand
Swift Code: BKKBTHBK
Account Number: 531-0-932891
Name on Account: GERALD EDWARD NELSON & PONGSAWART NIYOMCA
Sponsorship opportunities are available. They include special seating, up to 4 complimentary dinner tickets and promotion of your organization.
We provide Limousine and Taxi service. Our drivers are well trained and extremely professional. Our vehicles are well maintained, safe, reliable and comfortable. Our aim is to provide each client with the best possible transportation experience. References are cheerfully provided.
✅️Suvanbhumi airport (BKK)
✅️Don Mueng airport (DMK)
✅️U-Tapao Airport (UTP)
✅️Bangkok City, ✅️Pattaya city
✅️Samet island, ✅️Koh Chang
✅️Hau-hin
We are honored to support the Thailand Rotary Action Group Against Slavery Team while providing you with the best possible service. You may want to make advance reservations:
www.angietaxi.com
Line : angiejones11
Mobile : +66865758437
WhatsApp : +66865758437
AMIGO'S MEXICAN BISTRO
Chiang Mai’s Amigo’s Mexican Bistro is located inside the old city on Mun Mueng Road just South of the intersection with Ratvithi Road, a short walk North from Tha Phae Gate. They feature delicious Tex-Mex style food. The menu includes all of the favorites like quesadillas, tacos (soft or cruncy), burritos both large and medium, tacos salad bowl and more. Just baked corn chips with homemade guacamole is the perfect appetizer or snack. Food is prepared fresh and served by very nice wait staff. The restaurant is cozy and comfortable. Amigo’s is open from 10:00 a.m. till 10:00 p.m. daily
AMERASIAN FRAGRANCE RESEARCH
Amerasian Fragrance research is a world leader in perfumery and fragrance applications. We create unique smells and sensations tailor made for many products, from candles and polymer air fresheners to lotions and shampoos. Our expert perfumery team can create the precise fragrance you desire for any number of applications. The team at AFR will accept nothing less than the best and we welcome the opportunity to apply that mentality to your products and designs. Share your dreams and let us create them. Contact us for inquiries and consultations. Phone: +66(0)3-301-2590 Email: AFR@fragrance.co.th Facebook: AmerasianFragranceResearch
STAR VISA
At Star Visa we know that dealing with a different government and their regulations can be very difficult. Not to worry, we are experts in the laws, regulations and procedures necessary to ensure you have best possible experience obtaining or renewing your Retirement Visa, Dependent Visa, Business Visa, Student Visa or Thai Marriage Visa. We will assist you with all your Thai visa requirements and make sure your visa applications are correct and interactions with Chiang Mai Immigration office are easy and effective. We will do our best to make sure you always get the visa that’s right for you.
ATHERTON LEGAL
Atherton Legal is celebrating our 15th Anniversary. Our lawyers have over 80 year’s experience. We strive to provide our clients more than just a report of the applicable law. We provide insight into how the applicable law works, the logic behind the law, and how to use the law to accomplish our client’s goals. We don’t just identify legal obstacles; we guide you through them. We believe good legal representation is more than the regurgitation of knowledge and experience. Understand our clients’ goals, and use a combination of knowledge, experience, and strategic thinking to accomplish them efficiently and with fair value.
GERMAN KITCHEN DESIGN
The role of the kitchen has significantly evolved. It is a vibrant hub where people come together to enjoy the priceless pleasures of family life and home-cooked food. Quite simply, the kitchen has become the heart and soul of the home. Our aim is to create a kitchen space for you that is personalized, fully planned, and customized to your exact specifications, imported from Germany and precisely installed in your home. With innovative design, meticulous quality and a focus on sustainability, we will help you create the kitchen of your dreams. We currently support our clients in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Hua Hin, Pattaya and Koh Samui. Contact us at https://www.germankitchendesign.co.th/contact
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR SPONSORS AS THEY CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE FIGHT AGAINST HUMAN TRAFFICKING!
It is too sad
