|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In January 2006 I visited our Preventive Centre in the region of Maechan in the Thai mountains, with the same degree of pleasure and intense emotion to see the children again and those who have been taking care of them for so long. A grandmother had come from far away, very early in the morning, to express her gratitude “my grand-daughter is so much better since she has been here”.
40 children live in the Centre and 110 are lodged outside.15 young girls have completed an apprenticeship in a Petchaburi factory. It is a joint venture between a technical college in Bangkok and the factory. Once they have completed their studies, the girls will receive an official certificate from the college and a reference letter from the factory. In this way they will find work more easily if they so wish.
During the year 2006, the Centre was able to provide legal assistance in 125 criminal cases involving 143 children. This includes 54 cases of sexual abuse, 29 cases of theft, 27 cases of drug addiction and 2 cases of child prostitution. In all of these cases, the Centre provides legal and psychological assistance. For example:
1st case:
A 13 year old girl had been trapped by her boyfriend and forced to sleep with him and some of his friends. Video clips had been recorded and distributed to the public. This case is currently being followed up by the police.
2nd case:
A 16 year old girl had been sexually abused and raped by 5 boys. They were caught and sent to a corrective centre for boys.
There are new laws in Thailand for the protection of women and children. Nevertheless, the problem still exists and continues to develop in a more complex manner.
When we started our operations, child prostitution was organized through recruiting agents. Today one sees more and more spontaneous offers, particularly on internet sites. There are over 1000 sites offering sex on-line. Apart from that, sex is proposed by indirect means such as karaoke, massage salons, hairdressing salons, bungalows, restaurants, etc. This traffic continues to develop. An official report indicates a figure of 80’000 female prostitutes and 4’000 male prostitutes in 2006, children and minors remaining always the most vulnerable.
This is why the Centre organizes rescue services and assistance for these children who have been raped, sexually abused or abducted. They are cared for until they are completely rehabilitated, educated in a government school and then follow an apprenticeship in the Apprenticeship Centre which we created. The apprenticeships include sewing, embroidery, raising pigs, bee-keeping and other cultivations.
- 2 -
In 2006 total expenses of the Centre amounted to 4’605’740 baht, (approx. CHF 168’900.--).
Buakhao contributed 300’000 baht per month, i.e. a total of CHF 120’589.50. The 2008 budget amounts to 5’200’000 baht, i.e. approx. CHF 190’666.--.
In order to support this vital programme, Buakhao organized its traditional Thai market on May 20-21, which raised over CHF 17’000.--. At the beginning of November, Annaelle and Sarah, our loyal and generous fortune tellers, placed their talents at our disposal, which enabled us to collect CHF 10'450.--. Thank you once again!
Thanks to the generosity of our donors and sponsors, a total amount of CHF 88’000 was raised in 2006.
For reasons of economy, we acknowledge and thank individually all donations of CHF 100.--and above; however, we would like to take this opportunity to thank all donors. Every single donation is important.
I would also like to thank all those persons who help us throughout the year or as required, and who make our efforts a continually renewed success. My thanks likewise go to the fiduciary company Ed. Favre, who audit our accounts each year free of charge.
My grateful thanks go as well to the Hotel Beau-Rivage in Geneva, which generously makes available the rooms for the fortune-tellers, as well as its premises and staff for our various events.
As you can note, we do not manage to entirely cover the budget, and your support is always very precious to us!
Save a child and you will save the world.
Catherine Nickbarte
President
BUAKHAO White Lotus Foundation
Geneva, May 31, 2007
PS:
In April 2007 the buildings of the Centre were partially destroyed by enormous hail stones. We made an urgent request for funds and I would like to take advantage of this document to thank all of those who so generously responded to our call for help. Reconstruction of the buildings has already begun and the girls will soon be able to return to their lodgings and the other buildings.
Financial Situation 2006 (CHF) |
|
| CASH DONATIONS |
75'742.--
|
| SPONSORSHIPS |
12'300.--
|
| SALES PRODUCTS |
17'086.--
|
| MEALS AND CLAIRVOYANCE |
10'450.--
|
| SUBVENTIONS & OTHER ACTIONS |
120'589.--
|
| ADVERTISEMENT & MERCHANDISE PURCHASE |
12'900.--
|