Airline Ambassadors Teams Act Against Child Trafficking
Sunday, 30 Nov, 2009
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It all began in Cambodia. Three AAI people were walking down the dirt road of a small village near Siem Riep, when they saw her. A tiny girl standing on a dirt floor under a house on stilts – she had no CLOTHES, no HAIR, and no NAME.
This was a “Karaoke Baby”, the result of a mother trapped into prostitution that took place behind the Karaoke Bars that lined the village streets. She was clearly malnourished and had been trying to draw clothes on her body with a red marking pen she had found.
Deb Quigley, Airline Ambassador mission leader for the trip, handed her a balloon. The group asked others in the neighborhood about the little girl. They assured them she had no NAME and foraged as she could for food…the villagers called her NO HAIR, as someone had shaved her head to keep lice away. Her mother sometimes came back and wanted to give the child away to anyone who would take her….so far no one had, and little No Name just stood there in the dirt, under the house, waiting for her fate.
The group could have walked away, but when they looked back and she waved her hand slightly …their hearts melted. They took that innocent little girl into their arms and brought her to the New Hope Clinic for evaluation. Although she was malnourished, and full of lice, she was not beyond hope. The AAI contact there Kerry Huntley, agreed to care for the child, (as she is for 6 others) with a house mother and provide her with food, clothing, and education and through Airline Ambassadors, she will be sponsored. Kelly gave her a name – Somnang which means “New Hope”.
What would have happened if they had walked away? Somnang, like thousands of others like her, would have either died or been abducted into a life of slavery and prostitution.
In Cambodia you learn about the global scourge of Child Trafficking, and that it is now affecting 1.2 Million children a year…many of whom are being bought and sold like merchandise and flown on airplanes across borders to lives of modern day slavery.
The cabin crew of all airlines can play a vital role in identifying potential trafficking. The following month an AAI humanitarian team of 12 talked about this on their mission to the Dominican Republic. They brought gifts of clothing, shoes and food to Ninos de Christo orphanage and reflected at how these children were being protected from the dangers of life on the streets.
Aware of the danger, an AAI team noticed suspicious behavior on two departing flights.
Upon informing the flight attendants (Delta and jetBlue) Airline Ambassadors team members relayed the 800 # to call and alert ground authorities with Immigration- Customs- Enforcement. (ICE). In both cases traffickers were abducted, and an AAI team had relayed vital information that may have saved lives. Flight attendants are asking for more information and are ready to help.
Airline Ambassadors is now embarking on a major campaign via a program for Child Welfare to focus on Prevention of trafficking, Protection of children, and Prosecution of illicit traffickers by providing an industry wide education campaign for airlines and flight crews.
Stay tuned for more information on the AAI “Blue Lightning Campaign” call US 866-ANGEL-86 if you would like to help.
Valere Tjolle
Valere
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