Annie Dieselberg of Nightlight – Women need an alternative to prostitution and the key is holistic care.
By Milena
Rampoldi and Denise Nanni, ProMosaik. In the following our interview with Annie
Dieselberg of Nightlight,
an organisation for human rights operating in Thailand to prevent human
trafficking. Women need an alternative to prostitution and the key is holistic
care.
Rampoldi and Denise Nanni, ProMosaik. In the following our interview with Annie
Dieselberg of Nightlight,
an organisation for human rights operating in Thailand to prevent human
trafficking. Women need an alternative to prostitution and the key is holistic
care.
How was
Nighlight founded?
Nighlight founded?
Nightlight was founded by
visionary founder Annie Dieselberg. Annie
and her husband Jeff came to Thailand as an IM missionary in 1994 and became
increasingly aware of the need and risk while working alongside Panompon
Utaisri in a slum community. From 2000-2005 Annie worked at Rahab Ministry
where she grew in experience and vision and met the other co-founders. In 2005
the team launched NightLight to address the needs in the Nana area of Bangkok
through a jewelry business. NightLight Design Company, Ltd. was officially
registered in June of 2006.
visionary founder Annie Dieselberg. Annie
and her husband Jeff came to Thailand as an IM missionary in 1994 and became
increasingly aware of the need and risk while working alongside Panompon
Utaisri in a slum community. From 2000-2005 Annie worked at Rahab Ministry
where she grew in experience and vision and met the other co-founders. In 2005
the team launched NightLight to address the needs in the Nana area of Bangkok
through a jewelry business. NightLight Design Company, Ltd. was officially
registered in June of 2006.
What are your
activities related to human trafficking prevention?
activities related to human trafficking prevention?
– Rescue and extraction,
emergency assistance
emergency assistance
– Repatriation
– Building and mentoring healthy families to prevent trafficking
and sexual exploitation.
and sexual exploitation.
– Educational opportunities to provide alternatives and choices
to individuals.
to individuals.
– Involving the church, schools, and communities in prevention
programs.
programs.
– Childcare programs to break the cycles of abandonment and
abuse.
abuse.
– Awareness and advocacy campaigns
in source, transit, and destination areas.
in source, transit, and destination areas.
What services do
you offer to human trafficking victims?
you offer to human trafficking victims?
– Creating jobs for women as alternatives to prostitution which
pay fair wages and provide benefits for a healthy and sustainable lifestyle.
pay fair wages and provide benefits for a healthy and sustainable lifestyle.
– Job training and placement for women seeking alternative
employment
employment
– Business training and small loans for business start-ups
– Addressing the medical needs and concerns
– Nutrition and feeding programs
– Assisting with housing needs either through temporary shelter,
rent, or finding a place to live.
rent, or finding a place to live.
– Counseling services
– Trauma training
– Peer group counseling
– Creative expression
– Family counseling and intervention
– Child protection
– Safe living or
neighborhood
neighborhood
Did you develop,
throughout time, a strategy that can be indicated as really affective into
addressing the social inclusion of human trafficking’s victims?
throughout time, a strategy that can be indicated as really affective into
addressing the social inclusion of human trafficking’s victims?
It is hard to say something
as affective across the board. However, we believe that creating a community
that supports and cares for each member is the best solution. We have
established that community with the women we employ at NightLight.
as affective across the board. However, we believe that creating a community
that supports and cares for each member is the best solution. We have
established that community with the women we employ at NightLight.
Do you cooperate
with local authorities and institutions? If yes, how?
with local authorities and institutions? If yes, how?
Yes,
we work with local government agencies especially when working with
international women trafficked into Thailand. We aim to repatriate them to
their home country and work with government agencies to that end.
we work with local government agencies especially when working with
international women trafficked into Thailand. We aim to repatriate them to
their home country and work with government agencies to that end.
