A Thai Catholic nun received an award from the government for her work against human trafficking.
Thailand’s Ministry of Social Development and Human Security conferred the “Outstanding Person Award for the Prevention and Suppression of Human Trafficking” to Sr. Marie-Agnes Suwanna Buasap, coordinator of Talitha Kum Thailand.
The ceremony was held on June 5, which marks the National Anti-Human Trafficking Day in Thailand.
The award recognized the nun’s efforts in curbing the human trafficking of marginalized women and children who live in high-risk places.
Since 2018, she has been committing her work to the younger generations, establishing “Talitha Kum Kids” in Thailand, training over 3000 teachers in numerous schools, and strengthening the leadership of the Talitha Kum Youth Ambassadors to promote peer-led awareness.
Sr. Marie Agnes Buasap, a Sister of St. Paul de Chartres, dedicates herself to women's empowerment, leading capacity-building workshops and implementing the chili cultivation economic empowerment program.
The basis of her work has been promoting the human dignity and rights of vulnerable women and girls.
She promotes community-based leadership, education, and empowerment. Her projects are present in 35 different institutions to provide anti-trafficking lessons, therefore impacting about 60,000 children.
She raises awareness among young people in the northern border areas of Thailand.
She animates women's livelihood projects in three northern towns, including manufacturing chili-based goods to raise household income.
Focusing on awareness, skill development, and community resilience, 40 Talitha Kum volunteers hold seminars for more than 800 women.
The Talitha Kum movement (named after Jesus’ words in the Gospel of Mark) is the international anti-trafficking network of Catholic nuns, which is present in 90 countries. The International Union of Superiors General founded the Talitha Kum movement in 2009.
Thailand’s Ministry of Social Development and Human Security also honored faith-based and secular groups that work against human trafficking.
A Catholic Church organization that received recognition was Stella Maris, the seafarers’ ministry of the Chanthaburi Diocese, which is in eastern central Thailand. It is a suffragan diocese of the Archdiocese of Bangkok.
Stella Maris helps and rescues trafficked fishermen and seafarers, working with local authorities and marine networks.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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