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Missionaries Profile

Thailand

Religions: Buddhism (state religion); Islam; .5% Christian

Languages: Thai (official), English, Lao, Chinese, Malay

Ethnic groups: Thai 75%, Chinese 14%

Location: Southeast Asia surrounded by Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia and the Gulf of Thailand

Size: 198,115 square miles, 513,115 square kilometers, or about the size of Texas

Population: 61,798,000 (2001 est.)

Ministry Description:

Karen uses her expertise in vocational rehabilitation and leadership to direct the programs of the New Life Center Foundation.

The New Life Center Foundation (“NLCF”) works exclusively with ethnic minority (tribal) women throughout the Mekong sub- region (Thailand and its neighboring countries) who are at risk for, or victims of, labor exploitation.

“Labor exploitation” includes, but is not limited to, forced work in factories, local markets, domestic situations, and the sex trade. Since its inception in 1987, the NLCF has partnered with the Royal Thai Government and other NGO’s to provide legal, psychological, and repatriation assistance to victims of human trafficking.

The NLCF provides safe shelter, education, vocational and life skills training to all residents. Over the past three years, new treatment methodologies for victims have been implemented, including art, dance and music therapy. NLCF staff continue to advocate for full human rights and legal Thai citizenship for all residents, and have led ground-breaking educational campaigns about trafficking, labor exploitation, and HIV/AIDS throughout Thailand, China, and Laos PDR.

Web Links:

www.unescobkk.org

www.newlifecenterfoundation.org

www.humantrafficking.org

Language used in ministry: Thai