There are 2 shelters established for trafficking victims in the northern Lao Cai and southern An Giang province located at the border regions of Vietnam. Our goal is to prevent recidivism by beginning the process of healing by building a foundation towards a viable future. The ADAPT Reintegration program provides urgent assistance to trafficking survivors in the initial stages of reintegration.
While trafficking survivors suffer from poor physical and psychological states, the lack of awareness of dangers and realities of trafficking in local communities, trafficking survivors face major social stigmas upon return. This hinders their ability to seek help and resources to treat their immediate health and mental problems. As a result, many are unable to return to school or find stable sustainable vocations. ADAPT shelters serve as safe, temporary housing facility and service site, providing comprehensive services such as medical/health care, vocational training, legal assistance, emotional support and individualized case management.
Trafficking returnees face many difficult challenges in reintegrating. ADAPT provides the following services to help them overcome considerable obstacles:
• Medical/healthcare support (health insurance, comprehensive health checks, health education, etc.)
• Individualized case management/Emotional support
• Academic and/or vocational training
• A safe place of residence for those who need it (2 shelters located in Long Xuyen and Lao Cai)
“The shelter has helped me gained a sense of confidence, when before I couldn’t even read or write.”- Trafficked Survivor
The ADAPT Reintegration Program seeks to provide a safe space for trafficking survivors with aims of self development, reflection, healing and rehabilitation. Our shelters are staffed with residential coordinators whose role is to provide immediate care and emotional support for the young girls and women. At the shelter, we provide a strong support network and a safe environment where they can open up with one another, share their experiences, reflect, and heal.
Activities in the shelter focus on empowering trafficking returnees to be active participants in their society. We strive to provide the young women with a solid foundation to rebuilt their lives: scholarships and opportunities to return to school or attend the vocational training of their choice. The shelters conduct art projects and group activities for the young women to gain basic life skills such as reading, writing, team work, etc.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
The reintegration program is enabling returning trafficking victims to pursue an education and/or a vocation to obtain better and more sustainable means of supporting themselves and their families. There are many ways you can contribute towards making these truly life-changing opportunities possible for these young women:
$1200 supports a returnee’s year of vocational training
— supports a returnee’s year of academic schooling
— supports a retreat for 20 returnees
— provides bicycles for the returnees
