On a more serious note this is turning out to be a great experience. The level of poverty here is like nothing I have ever seen. Children are begging everywhere. They rub their stomachs and follow us around. It was a definite challenge to understand the way things are around here. I did not understand the dire situation children are exposed to everyday. They are realities of poverty and exploitation that most Canadian children thankfully never come to know. Some children are literally taken from their homes or the street corners of which they live and forced into prostitution. Others are passed on by their parents to ‘employers’ that end up running a business in human trafficking.

The more we learn about the topic of child sexual exploitation the more evident and prevalent it is. It is around every corner. Jina and I are presently reading the files of three cases we will be assisting on. Each of the accused parties have been charged with human trafficking. We have read medical reports and testimony. It is quite graphic and an eye opening.

The most amazing thing, I would have to argue, is simply talking to people from here. Jina and I spent an evening at the home of Meng (An ECPAT writer). Her husband told stories of his youth in the Philippines. The various fights he had been in, the art he creates, his travels of the rice terraces etc. It is through dialogue that we see just how different and similar we all are. This summer should prove to be an amazing experience, and I should note that I am off to a great start.

Also, having travelled a bit in the past, I am aware that sometimes we all miss home. I know I miss my home cooked meals. Let’s just say I have shed a few pounds so far. But for now just suck in the experience. If it hurts, it’s probably worth it!

I leave you all with a quote from Eddie Vedder. Talk to you all soon.

“Have no fear. For when I am alone, I’ll be better off than I was before. I’ve got this life. I will be around to grow. Who I was before, I cannot recall. Long nights aloud make it feel I’m fallin, I am falling – the lights go out – let me feel I’m fallin, I am fallin safely to the ground.”