16th Anniversary

Can you believe it? We’ve had 16 beautiful years helping young boys and trans sex workers leave Bangkok’s sex industry

Our staff Pim, IAm, Brittany and Celeste were able to attend the ARAT conference in Chiang Mai at the end of July. Celeste shared on a panel with three other orgs (that help males). It was an honor to share what we do in such a cool space... with about 700 in attendance (in person & online). 

It was a significant time for our team to connect and learn from other amazing orgs too, and we are beginning conversations with other orgs finally realizing the gap and need to help both males and trans. 

Celeste returns to the US this Fall again to prepare for more fundraising and events. We didn't quite reach our financial goal last year and like many other orgs have been losing funding. But, our US Board has GROWN with three new experienced and awesome Board members and they are ALL rallying around the Thai team and Celeste to help prepare well for this Fall!

As Celeste was meeting with many supporters last year (Fall 2024), she had a unique encounter. One of our monthly donors had started giving back in 2019 and this whole time, Celeste had assumed it was a previous female volunteer that had since married. This donor was living near Fort Worth, so Celeste reached out and they had agreed to meet at a cafe near downtown. Here’s her words:

“I had countless beautiful and encouraging catch-up conversations with so many of you, but this one conversation really stood out to me. I had written a friendly email and dressed casually, literally thinking this was one of my buddies, and in walks a handsome, well-dressed financial guy, and I was completely confused. We introduced each other and laughed at the confusion. He was kind, attentive to the update, looked at pictures of our students, and asked great questions. I was still a bit taken aback and he shared how I had walked into his bank in 2019, we had talked for about 5 minutes about a few savings options, and I had left him my card. He had been looking for a charity to give too, and he looked at Dton Naam’s website. Again, I was stunned and walked away from that conversation super grateful.

Jesus really used this donor to encourage me, and actually confront some of my own recent struggles:

First, I often see the worst of white, business guys taking advantage of others in the red light areas, or either completely unaware and unwilling to help. Having a brief five minute conversation in 2019, he was curious enough to get involved. It reminded me that there’s still good guys out there wanting to make a difference where they can.

Second, our org is still “grass roots” and small. We don’t have a full time fundraiser or grant writer. I usually do the majority of fundraising and it’s only about 5% of my job, so I often feel overly responsible and overwhelmed by this. I hadn’t asked this donor for funds; I hadn’t given a presentation when we first met. God directed his heart, and it was a relieving thought that yes, God will provide for us and it doesn’t have to be by my feeble efforts or even direct asks.”

July was similar, reminding me again, as we had a few new monthly partners join us and many of you gave “extra” gifts to help cover our increasing expenses. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!

The team adored our summer college intern Sara and she helped teach classes, go on outreach, and did an incredible job! 

Kwan- with the blue striped shirt- has returned to our team as our full time cafe manager. She was our Head Barista in 2019 before moving to Phuket for a few years. We are thrilled she's back and she's doing awesome! 

Bae- in the light blue shirt in the back is also settling in fast and brillantly! She's the "Head of the Recovery Team" and has brought great ideas, helped strengthen our systems, especially with treatment goals and plans with our newer students. 

GIFT IDEAS TO CELEBRATE OUR 16th ANNIVERSARY! How it helps provide:

$30-   One night of outreach care for a potential student

$100- Medical check-up or visa documents

$150- One week of recovery or training

$400- Student sponsorship- covering holistic care, training, food...

$1500- A safe space to study, heal, meet with team daily for classes and weekly with caseworker.