Thailand is a great country.  But like in every country, there is a dark side. Prostitution is illegal but still thrives as a billion dollar industry. Christian business people are offering a way out...

of the sex industry by providing jobs with dignity.

The bulk of prostitutes are Thai girls from poor northern provinces. The vast majority have two things in common. Many have been dedicated - even as babies - to a life in prostitution through a religious rite based on a mix of Buddhism and animism. Secondly, daughters are expected to support their parents – to be their pension plan as it were. So parents and relatives send and even sell their daughters to work as prostitutes in cities like Bangkok and Phuket.

Susan belongs to a team that works in Bangkok. Their mission is to restore people socially, spiritually, economically, emotionally, and physically. To that end they have started a business called Nightlight. Today 80 women are employed, all former prostitutes. The company is based on Christian values and prayer is an integral part of in the business.

“We are not trying to convert anyone, but we are not hiding who we are and what we believe,” says Katie, a designer of the jewelry that the women manufacture. “But we see an increasing number of women being transformed as they become followers of Jesus.”

About half the women have started a church -- a unique one. The leaders and the members are all former slaves in the sex industry. To them the Christian faith is about life transforming power, not just theoretical biblical statements they adhere to.

When one works with prostitutes and trafficking victims, one must answer this question:  Out of the sex slave trade – but to what?  One needs to offer a job with dignity as an alternative.

Christian business people hold important keys to combating today’s sex trade.

Mats Tunehag
Sweden
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Bruce Swanson’s postscript:
Mats and Transformational Ventures partner together. Mats is a leading global voice for BAM.

This story illustrates the power of BAM to rescue victims of the sex trade. BAM can also address the roots of the sex trade.  For example, in Thailand, BAM can create sustainable jobs for families in the northern provinces and help re-shape worldviews and practices involving their girls.

Transformational Ventures is working to do just that, in the Spring of 2010, by working towards a deal, through our contacts, to buy rice from impoverished farmers in Thailand and to shop it to another impoverished country in Asia, at cost. Significant economic, social, and spiritual impact is possible in both the sourcing areas and destination country.