Narimon ~ A Ministry That’s Changing Lives, One Woman at a Time
by jessica rabbit
What happens when you really look into the eyes of a prostitute? You see the truth of her soul.
This article could be about the estimated 2.8 million women who are prostitutes in Thailand. It could be about the fact that one-third of the Thai economy ($4.3 billion US) is directly related to prostitution.
Rather, this is about changing the lives of these 2.8 million, one woman at a time.
It’s about what happens when you choose to look another human being in the eyes and see the truth of who they are and the value they bring to the world. It’s about believing in them and loving them based on the inherent truth that they are whole, perfect and beautiful ~ even before personally meeting them.
It’s about teaching a woman to fish in a new pond ~ one filled with hope and dignity.
Narimon (na-RIH-mon), a division of ServantWorks ~ a Christian based non-profit, has a mission to get the women of Bangkok off of the streets. To educate them, teach them English and teach them a trade that pays them a fair wage so that they can support their families with dignity rather than shame. As a result, these women and girls ~ who either were forced into the Thailand sex trade industry or by their situation were at high risk to become a part of it ~ create amazingly beautiful handmade jewelry and cards.
After learning about the incredible work that Narimon is doing I sat down with Heather Hook, Founder of ServantWorks and Narimon Ministries Director, Sommer Raser. Like many who leave a legacy, they didn’t choose this journey, the journey chose them.
Neither one of them make a red cent. They are committed to removing the “commerce middle man” so that the women who do the work can go back to their villages and build their own successful business. So that these new businesses can create enough industry to hire other women from the village, pay them a fare wage and keep them out of the sex trade industry.
“When women in the US purchase jewelry made by the women of Thailand they become part of the remarkable story of another woman’s success on the other side of the globe,” says Heather Hook. I agree. I purchased a beautiful necklace made by 29 year old Thom. When I wear it, I think of her and the remarkable courage she has to be a leader for her family and her village.
Narimon started in 2005 when Heather and her husband Matt traveled to Bangkok to support the missionary work of their friends Jim and Judy Larsen who in 2003, rented a house in Bangkok and, in just a few months, helped 18 girls choose a new way to support their families.
Today there are three locations (known as The Well) in Bangkok. Most of the women live at The Well. They (and in many cases their children) are cared for, taught, fed and loved until they’re ready to make it on their own.
There are many ways to help in the US and Thailand:
Incredible article. Keep up the very reliable work.
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