Thuc: selfless to the end
Even as his own life slipped away to a long-term illness, Thuc fought fearlessly to improve the lives of people in his community.
Thuc’s greatest wish
“My greatest wish is to see an end to human trafficking. For people to live with warmth, happiness and safety.”
Right up until the moment he passed away from a long-term illness, Thuc fought bravely to make his greatest wish come true. He knew he would not be there to see the day that his community was finally free from human trafficking, but he would do everything in his power to make sure they got there one day.
Thuc (left front) visiting a family in his community.
Protector
In vulnerable communities across Vietnam, Blue Dragon has set up committees of people from surrounding villages, including teachers, parents and police officers, who educate residents on how to avoid exploitation and abuse while preventing the cycles of poverty that make them so vulnerable to these things in the first place.
When the chance came to join Blue Dragon’s Anti-Trafficking Board in his area, Thuc didn’t think twice. More than that, it was his inborn sense of duty to serve the people of his community that made him such a passionate and effective protector of the vulnerable.
“I am a leader in this village, and I feel a sense of responsibility to look out for the people here.”
Like most people in his community, Thuc was of H’mong ethnicity. Fluent in both H’mong language and mainstream Vietnamese, he facilitated dialogues between the villagers, unions and authorities. Thuc’s determination, anti-trafficking training and in-depth knowledge of the community gave him a keen eye for spotting people at risk of exploitation and abuse. Over the years, he put that expertise to good use.
Thuc visiting the home of Phai, a woman in his village.
Phai smiling as she catches up with Thuc and his fellow committee members.
May
Thuc took responsibility for training villagers on how to stay safe from trafficking, and he went all out to make that training fun, engaging and informative.
“I try to convey the messages through games and playing. I want people to understand that humans are not objects that can be bought and sold.”
After speaking with Thuc and attending one of his workshops, a woman named May understood that she was at high risk of being trafficked, and that a recent job offer she received sounded very similar to those that traffickers use to lure people into slavery.
May declined the job, and instead worked with Thuc to find out what kind of assistance would be most beneficial to her situation. Together, they decided that she and her family would benefit from a new cow, enabling them to start a small farm at home.
Thuc (centre) visiting May’s home.
May (right) smiling as she chats to Thuc.
A difference
Beyond training sessions and interventions, Thuc and his fellow committee members empowered their community to educate and protect each other, keeping them safe and informed from potential threats.
They set up community groups on social media and handed the management of these groups to the villagers.
“Whenever people spot suspicious behaviour, such as strangers filming or photographing women and children, or attempting to lure people away for work, they can report it to the group immediately. People now understand the tactics used against them, from faraway job offers and online romance scams to the exploitation of traditional village customs. They know to report these situations to their village leader or the committee so we can take action.”
Thuc built close relationships with all the people who attended his training sessions, regularly visiting each person’s home to catch up and stay informed on their current situation. He did the same for people who had already survived trafficking.
“We support survivors to get back into the community by helping them set up small businesses, move into a new home, go to school and receive psychological counselling while encouraging them to join village meetings.”
Through workshops, home visits and creation of dedicated online communities, Thuc saw firsthand how people in his village are becoming more resilient to the tricks and disguises used by traffickers. And how, when they have the resources to build a good life in the safety of their home, they contribute to the strength of their whole community.
Thuc (right, kneeling down in the navy polo shirt) leading an anti-trafficking training session in his community.
Communities can
The driving force behind the anti-trafficking committees that Thuc was such a passionate member of is the belief that the best way to protect communities is to enable them to protect themselves.
“This is because when people are guided and taught how to recognise the signs of crime, they can protect their own families,” shared Thuc, shortly before he passed away. “We can’t be everywhere, but the community can. That’s why building a strong safety network among the people themselves matters so much.”
What’s more, by putting control into the hands of villagers, it enables us to effectively replicate the initiative in more areas across the country. While Thuc’s greatest wish was to see the people of his village thrive in safety, he strongly hoped for all of Vietnam to follow suit.
“I believe the model can be scaled up across Vietnam,” he shared, “with a strong focus on border communities and provinces, as well as remote and hard-to-reach areas where trafficking is widespread.”
Phai with a cow provided by Blue Dragon after Thuc identified her family as vulnerable to human trafficking.
Right here
Even in the weeks leading up to his tragic passing, Thuc continued to dream of what his village might be like in the years to come. As his time and energy slipped away, his hope remained as strong as ever.
A life dedicated to improving the lives of others has now passed, but the work Thuc did lives on. In Blue Dragon’s heart and the hearts of all of those who stand up to injustice, fear and exploitation with kindness, bravery and hope.
Together, we will make Thuc’s wish come true. In his community and in all communities across Vietnam, human trafficking will end, and good people like Thuc will prevail.
“In the next five years, I hope my community will be free from trafficking and the stigma that comes with it. No more exploitation, no more residents leaving to work at distant factories in distant countries. Instead, a community where people can build their lives right here, at home.”
Thuc smiling on a visit to May’s home.
Blue Dragon honours the life and work of Thuc, and will continue working in his community to see that his dream of a world free from human trafficking becomes reality.
