The SOLD Project family is growing! Over the next few weeks, we’ll continue introducing you to the newest additions to our family. Today, we’d like you to meet Ketsara (Kate) Thutsunti, who has recently joined our Resource Center staff as Prevention Program Manager.
Ketsara’s previous work experience at the Office of Child Protective Services in Thailand felt like a natural transition to her work here at The SOLD Project. Kate first connected with The SOLD Project through the prevention and awareness program, where she had previously led seminars on protecting children living in abusive situations. “Because I have a strong desire to work in the area of child protective services, working with The SOLD Project seems like an opportunity put into place by God–by His perfect plan.”
Kate feels that it is important to focus on antitrafficking issues as an avenue to prevent further abuse and mistreatment of children. In her own words, “Any organization that can help protect children in abusive situations is very valuable. Through my own experience, those who work to protect children in unsafe situations and fight to give them a new and better life are also blessed with the peace of God.” Kate views the work that The SOLD Project is doing in Thailand as vital to protecting children already in abusive situations as well as in preventative work. She sees the importance of working directly in the community and getting to know SOLD students individually in order to recognize what struggles they are each facing.
“For many students,” says Kate, “they end up living in unsafe situations because they can no longer continue on in their education due to a lack of financial support. Providing scholarships for these students to study is one simple solution for protecting these students from walking down dangerous paths.”
When asked why she wants to work with SOLD in preventing human trafficking, she said:
“[I want] to work in child protective services by focusing on anti-trafficking issues as a way to prevent the further abuse and mistreatment of women and children. Organizations such as The SOLD Project are few and far between and necessary in combating the issues of child trafficking in Thailand. Any organization that can help protect children in abusive situations is very valuable. Through my own experience, those who work to protect children in unsafe situations and fight to give them a new and better life are also blessed with the peace of God.
I see the work of The SOLD Project as vital to protecting children living in abusive situations. When given the opportunity to work directly in the community it is easy to see many problems that young people experience, especially in regards to education. For many students, they end up living in unsafe situations because they can no longer continue on in their education due to a lack of financial support. Providing scholarships for these students to study is one simple solution for protecting these students from walking down dangerous paths. If we are going to help care for children at risk, the best way to do so is holistically–which is the mission of The SOLD Project.”
I desire for all of the kids to be aware of the unexpected dangers that face them as children. I want them to study hard and have responsibility in their community according to what is expected at their age. Moreover, I want them to respect themselves and others and truly understand the value of life so that they can take care of themselves and protect themselves against any danger that may appear.
–Kate
We are lucky to have such a talented, committed, and experienced member on our staff! We’d also like to extend a special thank you to One Day’s Wages for hosting a matching gift campaign that allowed us to fundraise $5,000 to host two family camps/awareness campaigns (one in 2013 and one in 2014)–events which introduced us to Kate’s hard work and skill in handling issues of child protection.
