Walkers & some info on Thai culture!

Great News! Jerry posted on the Walk for One's facebook page (Walk for One) that there are 142 people registered to walk on September 1st at the Port Orange City Center!! Thank you to everyone who signed up! Because of your generosity, 142 girls will get the opportunity to hear that because they matter to God, they matter to us!

For those who don't understand what's happening in Thailand and the reason for the walk, I'll break it down for you. 

In Thailand, young girls and women work the redlight district every single day because it is their responsibility to earn income for their poverty stricken families.

You're probably thinking, "Ok, well if it's the daughters responsibility to earn the income, why choose prostitution? There are tons of other jobs that you can make money with right?" yes and no. Most girls who work in the sex trade industry come from rural villages where their education does not exceed 6th grade. In order to get even a remotely decent (and I use the word very loosely) job, children must have completed school up to 9th grade. Graduating high school is very rare and only a few from these poor villages ever go on to a university.

In Thailand, it is not the same from the North to the South, or the East to the West. The entire Northeast (Isaan) region produces roughly 80% of the girls working in the sex-tourist industry. The majority have only four years of primary education while only 25% reach the 7th grade. Some have no formal education at all. In the local sex trade, statistics reflect that 40% of the girls enter voluntarily, while the remaining 60% are forced, coerced, or tricked into it. --From the Book Only 13: The true story of Lon.

If you have the opportunity to read Only 13, I highly recommend that you do! It breaks down the economics, family values, traditions, and reasoning for why young girls go into the sex trade industry.

So back to the real issue, the money. This chart should clearly explain the difference between working a legit job (in Thailand the shifts consists of 10-12 hour days where you work about 28 days straight, with maybe 3 days off) compared to selling your body (depending on whether you're a 'freelancer' where you have no boss, or you work for the clubs) 

This is the monthly earning of Lon, who Only 13 is written about. But can you see why a girl would choose prostitution over any other profession, if they are responsible for providing for their families. If you want to know more, I really recommend you read Only 13!

I hope this information helped you understand some of the Thai culture!