"The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all."
~ The Emperor, Mulan
Our society has defined the color red as a symbol of courage, passion, and power and determination. It is with this color that we attribute love, and we often incorporate it in our daily life if we feel like it. But our world, being broken and unjust, has tried time and time again to redefine red to symbolize the idea of sex tourism and forced prostitution. But amidst this brokenness, we are still grateful that there is beauty arising from the ashes, and that powerful stories emerges from the most unlikely places.
From the lonely beats of the lights in the red light district, Kwan came to us in Free Rain, wondering if this is the concluding chapter of her 57-year-old book of life. She was born from a family of farmers, who despite all efforts, couldn’t send them to school, and at the young age of seven has started helping in the farm to provide for her family. Fourteen years later, at the age of 21, she got married. People would think that this is just another cinderella story, where a prince charming came to the picture and they lived happily ever after. Unfortunately, it is the other way around, as soon as it is revealed that he was an alcoholic and sadly Kwan took beating from him, as he was an abuser. Scared for her life, and for the life of her daughters, they escaped from the tight grip of her husband. Thinking of the future and safety of her daughters, she sent them to another province, dismissing her feelings and hoping for the best.
With no one else to turn to, and having only a limited skill set due to her inability to go to school, she had no other option but to be blinded by the bright, yet broken flickering lights of the red light district. She wanted to stay afloat to provide the best for her daughters, but she sadly was swept away by a heavy current that caged her. Her wings of freedom were cut off, and a chain of forced prostitution hindered her from discovering her true worth for 26 years. But we knew the moment our outreach team met her in the red light district that she was meant to do much greater things, and to fulfill a greater calling.
Without further ado, our team offered her not only an education that will help her stand on her own, but also a way out of her situation. With dedication and perseverance, Kwan has graduated with a certificate in beauty. She also now works in a cute salon that caters to women working in the red light district, sharing what she learned and encouraging these women that they too are called for a much greater purpose. Every time she walked in work, her goal is to make everyone walking out feeling beautiful inside-out, and with an overflowing belief that they too are worthy.
__________
By reaching out to Kwan, we are also able to connect and make an impact on women who are in this situation. Kwan means beauty in Thai. Therefore, from beauty, love and compassion overflowed. This is not her end, but the beginning of something greater in her story. From a lone flower in a muddy field, blooms started to grow and we can see that they are altogether beautiful.
__________
If you were touched by Kwan’s story, we would love to team up with you in championing justice. Thank you for partnering with us towards our goal of eradicating injustice, poverty, and exploitation. Support one of our students monthly at bit.ly/shearlovestudent.