grace fund
Kwan first came to Bangkok on her own at age 12. She got a summer job mixing drinks at a go-go bar, saved all her money, then took it home to her mother at the end of the summer. She went back each following year, and when at 16 she could pass for 18, becasme a dancer with her family's approval. They needed her to pay off a high-interest gambling debt of about $1500 incurred by her father. Kwan had never enjoyed life in BAngkok, and now that she was a dancer, men could hire her as an "escort". As much as possible, Kwan would try to avoid sex with her customers.
American sponsors provided funds for Kwan's monthly support and repayment of the loan, enabling her to quit. She was put under the care of a Christian couple in her home province, and soon afterward became a Christian herself. She is now a full-time assistant in a small orphanage, is learning English, and hopes someday to attend college.
The Need
Prostitution involves economic and family problems with the needs of the human heart. For a woman to walk away from it, all three issues must be addressed. Offer her a new job at decent pay, but if she is bound by personal shame or family pressure, or both, she will probably go back. On the other hand, if her heart is changed but she can find no alternative employment, she will very likely continue to sacrifice herself for those she loves.
The Opportunity
Many Thai sex workers are very bright and talented, with great potential to not only be successful in good careers and build healthy families, but to become leaders able to help reach others and transform Thailand. At the same time, there are low-cost job-training opportunities in Thailand. However, most require a full-time commitment. Without an outside means of support, most bar girls have no way to take advantage of them. The Grace Fund is intended to provide that means, to help a bar girl think the unthinkable, imagine the impossible.
The Gift of Grace
Grace a term used in the Bible meaning unmerited favor or an undeserved gift. In its biblical use, it is something that frees us from our bondage and shame. Jesus paid our way out when we could not. When we receive it, it highlights not our shame but our value to God.
The Grace Fund is intended to help Thai prostitutes in the same way, to provide opportunity for freedom, to know and experience the true value that God made them to have.
Fund Administration
The Grace Fund provides grants of $100 to $200 per month to qualifying women, in 6-month terms. The money will cover each woman's living expenses, educational costs for her job-training program, and if necessary, financial support for her family.
In order to qualify for a grant, above all a woman must demonstrate that she is ready and willing to leave sex work. She must also show willingness to follow a training program through to completion. Her readiness to make this step will be determined through interviews and visits with an experienced Thai counselor.
If a woman is supporting her family, the family's need must be demonstrated. If there is an outstanding loan, they must be able to show documentation. Where possible and appropriate, The Well Network will assist families in getting high-interest "loan shark" loans refinanced with legitimate lenders having reasonable interest rates and payoff schedules. On a limited basis, the Grace Fund also accepts family members of women in the program.
The Well will also refer families to development services that can help them set up or improve income-producing enterprises, such as silk products and packaged food production.
Give Grace
You can literally change a life by becoming a Grace Fund donor. As a donor, you will receive regular reports on the progress of women and their families in The Well program.