BridgeWorks helps young people that are high risk kids with limited or no options. In our experience, high risk means that the chance of them being exploited, trafficked, enslaved, abused, ending up in jail, or dying young from AIDS, drugs, etc is high. Many of these children and youth have already experienced some level of these abuses. Providing safe pathways to help them avoid these abuses before things get worse is a high priority.

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How do we assess the risk?
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Generally speaking, risk is associated with protection. A child whose parents love, protect and are committed to the well-being of their child, we consider at low risk. In an ideal world, we would love to see this for all these young people. A child who has the true protection of a local community, or authorities, is usually low risk.
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Some factors that contribute to high risk include:
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– The area that the child comes from (ie: is it a high child trafficking area, widespread drug trafficking and use, level of corruption in local authorities, etc?)
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– Their family / relatives’ situation, and the type of relationship they have with their family (it is still a widespread belief and practice in some communities that adult relatives have the right to sell their children, even though this has been illegal in Thailand for over 100 years now).
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– The level of obligation the child feels towards complying with negative or abusive expectations & demands from family members and relatives (family and community comes before the individual in most Asian communities).
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– Where are their siblings and what are they currently doing (especially if older – are they in jail, dead, sold, etc?)
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– What abuse / exploitation has the child / youth already suffered?
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– If in a children’s home – is there a reason they cannot stay there? (is there abuse, exploition, or lack of protection of the child?)

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When we are contacted by youth (or a referral) who want to join the BridgeWorks project, we assess these risks (and sometimes others), and also the options available to them.
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We usually try to find other alternatives for them – especially if there is a relative who can care for them, but if they are high risk with no options we consider urgent, and cannot turn away.
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So when you are see photos of smiling children and youth in the BridgeWorks and Dinki newsletters; remember their background. Remember where they are headed if they don’t receive the protection and help that they need.
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Understand that though things may appear bright and hopeful now, the road ahead of them is still going to be perilous, and not all will make it through.
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Pray for them when you think of them!
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