What did your school holidays look like when you were 13?
In February 2025, three Lao girls, aged 13, 15, and 16, crossed the border into China during their school break to earn money for school supplies, dormitory fees, and daily expenses. A friend from their village had invited them to work at a banana plantation, and their families trusted the opportunity.
What started as farm labor by day became something far more dangerous by night…
The girls were forced to entertain guests at night parties. When they refused advances, they faced verbal abuse and physical violence. When they asked to return home, their employer took them to a hotel, confiscated their phones, and brought each of them to the man, and the situation escalated. Thankfully, one girl managed to ask a friend for help. That friend contacted an AAT volunteer, who coordinated with our staff at the Laos-China border. The girls were safely rescued and brought home.
Having missed over a week of school, AAT quickly provided education scholarships. Now, the three girls re-entered formal education, thanks to your scholarship support!
These words reflect a painful truth: education is still out of reach for some children, driving them into dangerous situations. We believe no child should be put in harm’s way just to go to school. Education is more than knowledge — it's protection.
Discover how supporting education can change lives and prevent exploitation.