Ms.Awuma Lomo
2004 WilD Award Winner
(Huay Chan Sri Village, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand)
 Northern Thailand is a popular destination for both foreign and Thai visitors. The area conjures up romantic images of green rolling mountains flanked by paddy fields and colorful hill tribe villages. The beauty of the area however belies a much harsher reality. Each year thousands of young girls are trafficked from the local area. Ms.Awuma Lomo was one of those unlucky girls who was a victim for purposes of sexual exploitation. The reason behind this was poverty.
It was the worst and most painful time in my life when I worked as a prostitute', recalled Awuma. "But I had no idea of what else to do. I could not read or write. I didn't even have the money to buy food for my family."
When Awuma was young, she helped her family grow opium, but the opium farming had ended due to government anti-drug efforts. At that time her friends, who had just come back from the city, persuaded Awuma, who was 16 years old, to work in a restaurant. She knew what was implied by this decision but nevertheless decided to accept the job. "I had no choice. I had to work to earn money for my parents, and my two sisters", said the 36-year-old woman.
There are cultural, familial, economic and historical reasons behind the decision of young girls to work in the sex industry. In Thailand children are expected to show parents gratitude and respect no matter what difficulties they face. Many children who migrate from their hometowns to work in difficult, low paying and dangerous occupations feel that they should not return home "empty handed" due to their traditional responsibility to care for their parents. Prostitution is often perceived as
fulfilling a traditional role for daughters who are expected to be the caretakers of the family. Under Theravada Buddhism, women and girls are not expected to achieve enlightenment. Thus, while men can show gratitude and respect to their parents by becoming monks and pursuing the spiritual life, many girls feel that they must make sacrifices for the benefit of their families and their own karma.
The factors pushing young girls to be a prostitute include poverty, debt, break down of family units, a tradition of prostitution in the family, familial obligation, inadequate education, lack of employment opportunities and consumerism.
Awuma had worked in the flesh trade for almost 10 years. During this time she met one man she loved. When they had a son together she quit the job and dreamed of building a warm family. Her dream collapsed when she discovered that her husband was the drug trafficker. She decided to leave her husband. She had to take care of her child and the money was very necessary. So she made the decision to become a prostitute again.
As time passed by, she grew older and did not want to take the high risk of catching Aids. Just as important, she did not want to embarrass her son with her occupation. Therefore she went back home to Huay Chan Sri Village, Mae Ai District, Chiang Mai. It was fortunate that she had land enough to build a house and open a mini-restaurant. However, the customers who were mostly men, troubled her with sexual harassment. It proved that people in the community were still prejudiced and looked down upon her. It would have been possible to go back to her familiar world again---if Heifer Project had not come into the village at that time.
In September 2002, Heifer International Thailand launched an additional project of swine and kitchen gardens under the Umbrella Project in Huay Chan Sri Village. Awuma received 10 piglets. She was very delighted. "Though the money from selling pigs is not as high as my former job, at least I don't have to trade it with my pride. And today I am a respectable woman ", said a smiling Awuma.
Right now, she has received fish, a corn grinding machine, bio-gas, and seedlings for fruit trees. In spite of her illiteracy, she attended several training sessions, such as feed formulation, care for the environment, human nutrition. She remembers and understands the lessons very well.
In term of production, her pigs yield very qualified piglets and her feed is considered very nutritious for animals and the price is cheap. Villagers always buy her piglets and feed due to their high quality. In addition, she makes use of the empty pond near her house to raise catfish and geese for domestic consumption. She has a concern for helping people. Thus, Awuma is widely accepted by the villagers. They elected her to the Village Member Committee, which has the duty of monitoring the community budget and looking after the villagers' well-being. She is deeply trusted by the people in the village.
Her home also serves as the learning center. Every day many people come to ask for her suggestions on raising pigs, practicing agriculture and food preservation. The image of prostitution disappears from the villagers perception, the picture of the female expert comes instead. She also encourages her young relatives to teach the Thai language at her home for people who cannot read and write.
She is very happy with her new life. Her son is 15 years old now. He goes to school. She also takes care of her sisters' children. This strong woman has realized how precious life is through the activities provided by Heifer. 'Thank you Heifer for changing my life. If Heifer Project had not helped me I cannot imagine how my son and I would be living today', said Awuma.
In addition, she has dreamed of breeding more qualified pigs, having orange orchards, setting up a credit union group, and improving the condition of her house. Since members of her family live in different villages, she wants to unite them in the same home but it is quite small now. Awuma said she would try to collect money from selling pigs to reconstruct her home so that her other two sisters can stay with her and work on livestock together.
"Though I cannot forget the painful past, I won't take it as the obstacle to the future', said Awuma. What's important is that she has broken down the wall of prejudice which exists in the people of the community. We are glad that Heifer's activities have been used as the tool to break down that wall!
Note: Permission to publish this story and photo were given by Ms.Awooma Lomo.
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