The primary intent of a REDLIGHT outreach trip is very simple, we show up and we love. We do this by caring for sexually exploited individuals, offering empathy and practical help to girls and women, boys and men who have been exploited. Our goal is to offer them a way out of oppression. Being a faith-based organization, we are often asked if this is a “mission trip.” While many people define a “mission” differently, we do want to be clear that the intent of REDLIGHT is not to proselytize those we are working with. Because of the vast amount of trauma and emotional damage trafficked victims have endured, our mission during this trip is to reach out with love, care, compassion, and the practical programming that Not Abandoned’s local staff are able to provide. We are very careful not to communicate the message that they need to welcome a new faith in order to receive help from our programs. However, you will build significant relationships with these women, and alongside your Thai team members, you may have an opportunity to share your personal faith journey and what this means to you if you would like. We always welcome REDLIGHT volunteers to be open and authentic about who they are and their own journey’s struggles and victories. We also do believe that a journey of faith is a necessary part of true holistic health and hope for any individual.

• The first couple of days are full of cultural training to understand the global and local Thai dynamic of trafficking, how trauma and worldviews affect this work, and how to effectively and appropriately build friendships with those exploited during the outreach.
• Beyond the initial training days, we meet every morning as a team for continued education and times reflection, and encouragement
• Every afternoon and early evening are spent in outreach with your small team to the brothels and streets to build relationships with those exploited in the sex industry.
• Through the days of outreach and especially in the end there are open house opportunities to bring the new friends you’ve made to our Employment Education Center. This is where they can access on-going classes, services, training, job placement, etc. as well as plug into a long-term healthy community.
• At the end of the 2 weeks, the volunteer team enjoys a special meal together and a day off for local tourism. After all, Thailand is a beautiful country rich with vibrant culture. This is a wonderful chance to visit the local island’s beach with the team or go say hello to some majestic elephants.

The first 3 days will be spent in intensive training with your team to make sure everyone is feeling equipped for effective outreach. Classroom time is combined with exposure trips around the city, guided cultural observations, and practice outreach opportunities to make for a richer learning experience. The training itself is taught by multiple Not Abandoned staff from the US and Thailand who have a combined 70 years of experience in this work. We will be the first to tell you that we don’t know everything, but we’re thrilled to bring to you all that we have learned over the years. Training topics include principals of trauma care, general Thai culture, and the history of trafficking within this culture, worldview and how they affect our behavior, understanding your identity as a human and as a helper, practical methods for appropriate and effective outreach, etc.  You can also expect late nights on these days, as we observe nightlife in full swing.

After this initial training period, we will continue to meet each morning to debrief our experiences from the previous day’s outreach. This gives you the opportunities to bring to the team any questions or successes you’d like to share for help or encouragement. This also allows space for continuing education and balance as you will be hearing hard stories from your new friends during outreach each day. There will also be an intentional time of debriefing at the very end of REDLIGHT to process your experiences, what you have learned, and to prepare for your reintegration back home. 

Pattaya is a very safe city for over 16 million tourists who visit each year from all over the world. It’s a busy city with people everywhere and at all times. In spite of this, we provide cultural safety guidance during pre-outreach training. In addition, all participants travel and work in small teams along with a translator to help with language communication. We are strategic in placing volunteers in areas we usually work in and know well.  Honestly, the most dangerous elements of your time in Pattaya will be watching out for tourists trying to drive motorbikes with a license or eating too much ice cream at the mall during your outreach times with new friends.

The cost is $2,300 plus airfare (approx. $3000 total depending on airfare prices).  You can fund your own trip or raise funds to cover your personal costs. If you are fundraising, you are welcome to set up a volunteer account with us to collect tax-deductible funds on your behalf on our website. If interested, please contact us at REDLIGHT@notabandoned.org. The $2,300 includes all ground transportation, meals, accommodation, and daily expenses for doing the outreach and other project outreach costs. Also included in this amount is all the training and material at the front end of your trip and special last day activity. In short, all expenses will be covered by this amount with the exception of that extra afternoon coffee and any souvenir shopping for your someone-special.

We stay in the center of the city at the Sunbeam Hotel, a beautiful 4-star hotel located next to the city’s largest shopping mall, and near the beach and areas where we will do much of our outreach. The hotel offers a small fitness center, swimming pool, WiFi, a hairdryer, and a full buffet breakfast. Bottom-line, this hotel is safe and clean and centrally located for outreach and access to restaurants, a large mall, and our Employment Education Center. You can check out this hotel at http://www.sunbeamhotel.net 

There are delicious and safe options for Thai and International food in Pattaya. You should not drink any tap water, but you will be provided with and have access to plenty of bottled water for brushing your teeth and drinking. Even Thai nationals don’t drink the tap water, so that piece is just off-limits to us while in-country. It’s totally safe and okay to shower and wash hands with water from the taps. In Pattaya, you can find anything from Starbucks to McDonald's, Indian food to Italian, and of course, vibrant Thai dishes on every corner. We do recommend that you avoid eating unpeeled fruits and vegetables that you haven’t washed yourself. Once the team arrives in Pattaya there will be more specific instructions given as to what is safe to eat and what is not, along with some of our favorite spots to recommend. For example, there’s a great spot for grilled chicken, but please avoid any sushi on the unrefrigerated street cart! Keeping to the guidelines will keep everyone safe. 

Pattaya is a resort town for international tourists and although you will be viewed during outreach as a normal tourist during outreach, we do want to be respectful of the Thai culture. Pack clothing comfortable for hot and humid weather, but on the conservative side. For example, you’re welcome to wear shorts and tank tops with a conservative neckline. Prior to the trip, more specific instructions will be provided regarding what and what not to take to help keep this culture and comfort balance. You’ll also want to bring a light sweater, as the air conditioning indoors can be quite chilly after walking in the outdoor heat. A crossbody purse or small and light backpack is a nice to have during full days out, as well as a bathing suit for your free time or the beach day. Be sure to bring a universal adapter for personal appliances. (Cell phones can plug directly into the wall as well as laptops.) You’ll also want to carry a small notebook and pen to take notes during our training and team meeting times. We also encourage participants to bring your personal journal to record your thoughts and experiences. Also having family and friend photos in an album on your smartphone is a nice way to connect with the girls you meet during outreach. 

Some of the women you’ll meet do speak English ranging from fluent to pretty broken. Many ladies speak Thai only, especially if they are new to the sex industry. We will help prepare you to use your best charades and hand motioning skills to foster an initial connection. However, part of your outreach team will include a Thai team member acting as a translator and ally so that you can create a more genuine heart-level friendship with the ladies. Please remember to speak slowly, articulate, and use simple English—staying away from English colloquialisms and slang that do not translate literally. While not a requirement, it goes a LONG way to learn some basic Thai words before your arrival, including hello, thank you, how are you, etc. If you own a smartphone, download the “Learn Thai” app (upgrade to the $4.99 version to allow access without Internet).  Google Translate has also come a long way in its reliability and many Thai ladies already have this downloaded on their own phones. Remember, you’re not the only one trying to create a connection through broken language. The women working at the bars are used to this dynamic because the majority of clients coming in to buy sex also do not speak Thai. Your Thai team member is a vital asset to outreach but it’s also amazing how much genuine care can be communicated through limited language. Kindness is a universal language.  

You’re welcome to reach out to us at: REDLIGHT@notabandoned.org