No looking back now...

Charlie and I recently sent out our first fundraising letter for Cambodia. We're leaving so soon, in less than 4 months!! Here is the letter:

With 4-month old Saméa in Winnipeg

In 2008-2009, my husband, Charlie, and I spent time in Cambodia, interning with an organisation called Chab Dai. Since our return, we have established Chab Dai Canada, working with others against human trafficking in Montreal and across Canada. Last May, I obtained my Masters degree in International Community Economic Development. On December 26, Saméa joined our family and has been a joy to get to know and watch grow. We are into a new phase in our lives and careers and are now planning to move back to Cambodia to join the Chab Dai team there. We plan on being in Cambodia for a minimum of three years.

When Charlie and I first went to Cambodia, we knew we would either find the issue too difficult to engage with and would move on to something else, or it would touch us so deeply that it would become our life's calling. Three years later, we cannot imagine doing anything else!

How Chab Dai Addresses Human Trafficking

Chab Dai's vision is based on an ethos of collaboration aiming to address human trafficking through coalition building, advocacy, and research. Chab Dai's main objectives are improving capacity, resourcing organisations, advocacy and prevention, and high quality aftercare.

How We Will Contribute to Chab Dai's Vision

I will be joining The Butterfly Longitudinal Research Project team, a 10-year research study which aims to better understand the experiences of survivors of abuse who have been reintegrated into society after rehabilitation. I will also be working with our coalition member organisations to find sustainable economic and financial reintegration solutions for survivors.

Charlie will be working mainly with the Learning Community project which oversees coalition activities. He will help coalition members develop programs and policies around short-, medium-, and long-term expat volunteers and staff, and will provide support, capacity building, and conflict resolution services for expat and national workers. He will also act as a liaison between volunteers and host organisations.

Partner with Us

For Charlie's full-time, and my part-time position, Chab Dai has approved a joint salary of $3,000 per month. Chab Dai will cover 50% of that salary; we are responsible to raise the other 50%. Would you consider becoming a monthly financial partner to cover part of this amount? We are looking for friends willing to give $25, $50, or $100 per month. We are also looking for one-time donations to help with travel and set-up costs. If you would like to partner with us or would like more information, please contact us.