Thailand is in the heart of Southeast Asia, with Cambodia and Laos to the east and Myanmar to the west. The country has a population of more than 70 million people. The vast majority (90%) of people are Buddhists and agriculture and tourism make up the bulk of the economy.

Nice, the youngest of the survivors, was persuaded by “friends” to work in the karaoke bar. She didn’t know the risks or that the work would involve having sex for money against her will. Could she have known better or chosen differently?

With her family struggling to get by and mouths to feed, Nice had to make a decision no child should have to make—stay in school and have nothing to eat or drop out and find work to help her struggling family. It seemed like the best decision in a series of bad options.

Eventually, Nice was rescued with the other girls, moved to a safe shelter, and into a foster home where she daily receives love and support from foster parents who love her like their own child. Her words to all of us:

“When you look at us, please don’t see us as bad children. We need the same things as other children in this world. We are children who would like the chance to start again.”