Humanitarian Day

Every 19 August, the world celebrates World Humanitarian Day. Being a humanitarian, is not about solving all the issues within families.

But it’s a day to celebrate the people who make a difference to improve other people’s homes, offices, and communities. It recognizes the little things people do to help. 

Mrs Phavanna Phommasene is a great example.

Phavanna is a field staff officer in World Vision’s End Trafficking in Persons project.

Most of the time, Phavanna is on the road. She’s driving the dirt roads of Savanhket province from village to village, armed with a few simple messages and a mission: help as many people as possible to learn about human trafficking.

“Before, children, youth and adults did not know what human trafficking was, what safe migration was and who to contact in emergencies in case urgent help is needed,” Phavanna said.

In the past, many young people dropped out of school because of family poverty. When they were promised bright jobs across the border, they often didn’t think twice. They weren’t aware of the dangers that have befallen many – the exploitation and lies.

In order to tackle the lack of awareness, Phavanna and World Vision’s End Trafficking in Person project team have set up children clubs and community protection groups. Phavanna trains young people and communities how to migrate safely, how to identify the risks of trafficking and how to report suspected trafficking cases.

“Children club activities are important for both children and their communities. The lessons develop life skills for children and raise their awareness about human trafficking. The children learn how to be confident to protecting themselves,” she says.

So far, 332 people have become members of the groups she facilitates in Xonnabuly district in Savannakhet Province. 

“After implementing the children club activities, I have seen that the children have strengthened confidence. Now, children, adults and young people are leading the clubs on their own,” she says.  

“Before there was no child clubs and children and communities didn’t know how to prevent human trafficking, but now, they are more educated,” she adds.

Eighteen-year-old Lampheung is one of the rural youth who have been trained in the children’s clubs and now trains others. She’s travelled to Thailand to receive training and has transformed from a shy girl who couldn’t speak in front of a crowd to leading village-wide anti-trafficking awareness sessions.

“Since she has joined project activities, she is also learning at her school and also helping teach the children’s club. Now she is a good facilitator and community representative who disseminates life skills about safe migration,” Phavanna says.

There are many other examples like Lampheung.

“What makes me happy with my work is that I have been able to work closely with our government partnership, work with children, youth and adults in the rural area and especially working vulnerable children,” Phavanna adds.

Prior to joining World Vision, Phavanna worked in a forestry research project, taught English and worked as a babysitter.

When she first took the job with World Vision, Phavanna admits there were challenges.

“I was lacking experience of my work and sometimes I was not able to solve the problem by my selves. Therefore, I had to learn from my mistake experience and reflect on what I had done. I learned from my colleagues and found a way to attend workshops,” she says.

Now she’s worked for World Vision for 7 years.

“With help I developed myself, especially the skills on building relationship with communities and children. I had to learn about how communities and children live their lives and how we can trust each other,” she says.

She dreams of seeing the child clubs continue, even after World Vision leaves the communities in the future.

“I love this job. Human trafficking work is very important. It’s important for children and youths to have a network of support and have knowledge. I am happy I can assist them.”