The Freedom Story

Today is GivingTuesday! Thanks to an extraordinary one-day double match up to $25,000, we have the chance to raise $50,000 in just one day! Your support is vital in supporting vulnerable children in Northern Thailand to stay safe, continue their education, and build bright futures. Visit https://lnkd.in/d9PYrS-s, and see your gift make double the impact! 

In the aftermath of the flooding, we wanted to say how grateful we are for you! No matter what role you play in The Freedom Story, your thoughts, kind words, support, and dedication to supporting communities in Thailand means the world to us. Wishing you a wonderful holiday wherever you are!

This GivingTuesday, your generosity has double the impact! Thanks to a matching gift, every dollar you donate will be matched—helping us unlock $130,000 to provide scholarships, mentorship, and resources to children at risk. Your support changes lives, offering freedom and hope to the next generation. Let’s make it a day to remember—because together, we can do so much more. Visit GlobalGiving on December 3rd by clicking on the link below: https://lnkd.in/eVHBgiG2

It takes a community to make change, and at The Freedom Story, we’re grateful for every single role—from our team on the ground to supporters like you! Your impact is real, and together, we’re building brighter futures for children in Thailand. Thank you for being a vital part of our story!

Today, on World Children's Day, we are filled with gratitude for our incredible partners at the Global Fund for Children. Their support empowers us and other nonprofits to make a difference in the lives of vulnerable children, ensuring they have the tools, opportunities, and care they need to thrive. Thank you, Global Fund for Children, for believing in the power of possibility and for standing with us in this journey toward a brighter future. Here's to celebrating the resilience and brilliance of children everywhere; you can read more about their work and advocacy from their blog here. https://lnkd.in/dCjfYthW

Excited to share an inspiring story of resilience and change! With your support, we've empowered vulnerable families in Thailand to break free from cycles of debt and risk, creating new paths to stability. Through sustainable farming alternatives, like growing bell peppers, and financial workshops, families are now gaining independence, allowing children to stay in school and thrive. Thank you for being a part of their journey to a brighter, safer future!

This November, QUNIE, a global firm in Japan, is spotlighting The Freedom Story! Here's how you can help: With every click on QUNIE's website in support of The Freedom Story, 100 yen is donated to our life-changing cause, all funded by QUNIE. https://lnkd.in/dZdp5j6j Each year, QUNIE highlights 12 nonprofits, one organization each month, and raises crucial support for their mission. Your simple click can contribute to freedom and a brighter future for vulnerable children. Let’s join forces and make an impact this month! Click, support, and spread the word!

In the last 36 hours, flood waters in Chiang Rai have risen to historic levels. Many have fled their homes and some have lost all of their possessions. We are incredibly thankful that right now our students, families and staff are safe. We're accepting donations for flood relief efforts including giving out water, food and shelter to those in need. If you can and would like to support, you can give here: https://lnkd.in/gTvQRhWS

#midyearreport #progressin2024

Last week, we proudly co-hosted the Asia Region Anti-Trafficking Conference in Bali, Indonesia, bringing together anti-trafficking professionals from across the region to discuss the latest developments and insights in the field. Alongside our partners at Chab Dai, Dark Bali, The Whispering Willow, and Ashray, our goal was to develop multi-sector learning and partnerships to improve responses human trafficking and slavery in Asia, provide updates on trends in the past 3-5 years, to learn best practices from each other, and identify potential avenues for collaborative action. This conference is always an exciting event, a great chance to reconnect, to learn from each others’ experiences and remember how many of us are working together to end trafficking! As our CEO, Lucy McCray shares, “ARAT is such a unique, fun and safe space to help co-curate. Every year, seeing partners, friends and fellow anti-trafficking organizations is such a gift. Taking the time to share and learn from one another so that we can better fight this issue means we are better equipped and more coordinated. I am thankful for the opportunity to help co-curate the space and for all those who came to the conference, contributed their time and knowledge, and helped support it!” The ARAT Conference is the only one of its type in Asia and we emphasize bringing in survivor leaders to share their expertise. Over 500 participants attended in person and online, providing each other with encouragement and motivation. Topics covered in the conference include, among many others: the intersection between disability and trafficking, the use of technology to create systemic solutions, creating survivor leadership and survivor-led solutions, the role of climate change, interfaith efforts, and responsible business practices. We are thrilled and honored to take part in this opportunity to provide a platform for people to gather to share their ideas and experiences. Many of the core themes that these conferences share build on previous learning, as implementing effective polices on the ground requires engagement with lived experience. There can often be a sizable gap between policy and practice, between idea and implementation, because the reality on the ground can be so much more nuanced and complex than people outside it can anticipate. Sharing these valuable experiences is key to more effective responses. Coalition building and collaboration efforts are also essential. We’re stronger when we work together, and as a network, we can facilitate information flow. It becomes possible to identify gaps and collectively organize resources to address gaps – including preventing burnout, as the people working most closely with victims and survivors are among our most valued resources. This part of the work doesn’t always catch the attention of the media or others, but it’s a critical part of truly effective work and progress!