News and information for friends of International Justice Mission UK

RESPONSE FORM
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 Start a prayer group supporting

the justice ministry of IJM.
 Enquire about having an IJM speaker at
my church or group.
VULNERABLE SIBLINGS AUTUMN 2010

 Receive suggestions on how I might

fundraise for IJM.
 Volunteer to help IJM UK (e.g., serve as
an area speaker or church representative).
 Apply to intern/work for IJM
Washington, D.C., HQ or in one of its
field offices.
 Apply for an IJM UK Communications
Internship.
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International Justice Mission UK
I'd like to support the justice ministry by
giving
£3  £10  £ 25 
£50  £100 
 My choice of £______ per month
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 to live at a Buddhist temple where he would
BECOME PROUD CITIZENS
Sunaree and her older brother, Suwit, were very
vulnerable from an early age. Their mother had
moved to northern Thailand and the children
lived with their father – who was addicted to
drugs and suffering from AIDS – in one of the
slums of Chiang Mai, Thailand’s second largest
city. Sunaree was abused by her father; who
prevented her and her brother from attending
school. Instead, young Sunaree sold flowers in
the streets and even in bars and brothels to
support her father’s drug habit. When Sunaree
was seven, her father died, and she and Suwit
went to live with their mother further north.
Though they had more stability with their
mother, they were still extremely vulnerable.
Neither the children nor their mother had
received the Thai citizenship to which they were
entitled as members of Thailand’s ethnic
minority hill tribes. Sunaree’s mother was
paralysed and rapidly deteriorating in health as
a result of AIDS. Her fear was that she would
member. Khem had arrived to help their
mother through the difficult process of getting
citizenship. Sadly, Sunaree’s mother died while
her application was being processed. Sunaree
and her brother became orphans – and lost
hope of the secure future their mother had tried
to achieve for them.
After her mother’s death, Sunaree went to live
in a Christian aftercare home based in Chiang
Mai. This was a turning point for Sunaree; at
the home, she was well cared for and able to
pursue an education. She began to thrive – but
the thing that continued to upset her the most
was that her name was on a list that none of the
children at the home wanted to be on: the list
of children without citizenship.
Meanwhile, her brother Suwit chose to stay
where he was in the hope that he could pursue
his education. He decided the only way to do
this as an orphan and without citizenship was
Sunaree – a very happy citizen!
came to help me get citizenship I felt
happy…without IJM it would have been very
hard to get. When I went on my own [to the
district office] I would get no help, and I was
powerless to argue. Now my life has changed!”
Indeed, Suwit is now able to pursue new
options to get an education. He can travel
freely to see his sister, and he has high hopes of
going on to study for the bachelor’s degree he
IJM UGANDA CLIENT OVERCOMES A
VIOLENT THIEF WHO SOUGHT TO STEAL
HER HOME AND PROPERTY
UGANDA – Deep in a Ugandan village,
Veronica laughs and rocks on a battered old
sofa. The couch scrapes the dirt floor of her
tiny home, raising a glistening cloud of dust
that hovers in bright air. Veronica’s adopted
niece smoothes her skirt and smiles shyly
while her brother, whom Veronica has also
adopted, grins outright. “God has
remembered us,” Veronica says, looking at
the children. “He did a miracle.” She laughs
a low, rumbling laugh, then grabs her IJM
aftercare worker in a strong hug.
Outside, birds chirp and squawk. Insects
buzz. Maize crackles and hisses in the fire.
– homeless and with no means of
subsistence. So Margaret devised a
compromise plan, a plan that afforded her
children the greatest chance of survival: She
left the children with her trusted sister-in-
law Veronica and ran for her life. Now safe on their property through IJM’s
intervention, Veronica’s adopted niece and nephew
Bruno promptly took possession of her land. (pictured) have received school sponsorships.
However, he still wasn’t satisfied. He began
“I was very frightened of meeting my
setting his sights on Veronica’s adjacent
property. When Veronica left temporarily to brother,” she says. “I knew he would beat
care for her sick father in his home, Bruno me.” Afraid of Bruno but determined to
survive, she began to till the land. This
took advantage of his sister’s absence and
hijacked her property. infuriated Bruno, who gathered a cabal of
three men to cut his sister down.

“
I'd like to instruct my bank/building die as a stateless person, and leave her children has always dreamed of getting. Today, the whole property seems to Providentially, when Bruno’s henchmen
receive free education and care, on the I was consumed by worry...

society to pay International Justice
Mission UK regularly; please send a
bank mandate for me to complete.
My contact details are:
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Address:
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Aid declaration - just sign below and
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the tax that is being claimed on my donation.
Return to: IJM UK, P O Box 9641,
Bures CO8 5WY, United Kingdom
Charity No: 1099126
Company limited by guarantee
No: 4310900
without the security of citizenship. Without
citizenship, hill tribe members cannot own land
and are not protected by labour laws. They
cannot travel freely between districts and have
no access to social welfare services like
subsidised healthcare. Those without
citizenship are subject to arrest and fines. With
lives circumscribed by incredibly limited
opportunities, hill tribe men, women and
children are particularly vulnerable to lies
intended to lure them into systems of violent
oppression, including human trafficking.
At the age of nine, Sunaree met IJM lawyer
Khem Saksakunmongkhon, himself a hill tribe
Siblings, Sunaree and Suwit with their
late mother six years ago
International Justice Mission UK
PO Box 9641
Bures, CO8 5WY
United Kingdom
Tel: 0845 094 3109
E-mail: contact@ijmuk.org
www.ijmuk.org
”
celebrate. At long last, Veronica can farm her
agreement that he become a monk. The temple In Chiang Mai, Sunaree, now 15 years old, is arrived, three day-labourers were helping
land in dignity and in peace. Veronica cultivate her land. The labourers
seemed to offer Suwit the best opportunity of continuing in her studies at the aftercare home
A Devastating Threat Veronica courageously fought back. First, shielded her from blows, and in the course
his limited choices, but he was not happy there. where she still lives – and is more secure than
she looked to the local police for help. They of offering her protection, were assaulted
“If I had a better chance I would not study she has ever been. IJM staff most recently met Trouble and violence first ignited on this
turned her away, dismissing her problem as with bricks. One man was beaten so brutally
here,” he told IJM staff. with Sunaree and Suwit when taking them to land in 2002 when Veronica’s brother (and
a domestic issue. Then, Veronica sought he was left hospitalised.
the district office to have their photographs neighbour) passed away, leaving behind a
IJM remained committed to pursuing legal help from local authorities, who gave her
taken for their new documentation. “Thank widow – Margaret – two young children and Victory in the Face of Violence
documentation for Suwit and Sunaree. At the permission to fence in her and her sister-in-
you IJM and all IJM supporters!” was the a plot of land. Veronica’s other brother
beginning of 2009, IJM lawyers were able to act law’s adjoining plots of land. Bruno swiftly Veronica had already filed a civil suit against
message they wanted to pass on. “I am so happy Bruno immediately saw an opportunity for
upon a recent amendment in the law and finish uprooted the fences. When police came to Bruno. Now, with IJM’s assistance, she filed
and thankful to God,” Sunaree added with a personal gain and delivered a terrifying
what Khem had started back in 2004. The arrest him, Bruno and his sons beat up and additional criminal charges of assault and
smile. Finally, they had the security they had ultimatum to his late brother’s widow: Flee
team gathered all necessary documents and bit the officers, who left without completing criminal trespass against her three assailants.
sought for so long. your land and your home, or I will kill you.
witnesses for Sunaree and Suwit and persevered the arrest. Finally, Veronica looked to local IJM investigators tenaciously pursued
through the long, challenging process of a In Uganda, widows like Margaret are often courts to defend her. Court officials first lost Veronica’s attackers and, over the course of
citizenship application. forcibly evicted from their land and sustain her file, then refused to give her an audience several months, secured the necessary arrests,
By June 2009 Sunaree and Suwit were told that related acts of violence and intimidation. after Bruno bribed them. even as the men attempted to evade justice.
their applications had been approved: Finally, The U.N. estimates that over 30% of
widows and orphans in sub-Saharan Africa It seemed Bruno had won. Veronica had The assailants were convicted for their
they were Thai citizens – they would know the knocked on every door. She had nowhere crimes, and in a separate civil trial, the
security their mother had wanted for them, and experience illegal property seizure, or
“property grabbing.” When deprived their left to turn and no reason to hope. Magistrate’s court passed judgment in favour
that they had sought for themselves for years. of Veronica by declaring her the rightful
land and property, grieving widows and An Advocate
Suwit, now 18 years old, explained the orphans are left without a home, no means owner of the land. Bruno was ordered to
That’s when Veronica first heard about vacate the property and required to pay
significance of citizenship to Khem during a of producing food, and no hope
recent visit: “[Without citizenship,] I could not for education. International Justice Mission. She was 1,000,000 shillings (approximately £287) as
invited to a legal education seminar held in general damages to Veronica and costs of
get a driver’s license…I could not travel because IJM Thailand Field Office Director Khem
Great Vulnerability
I would get stopped by the police. When IJM Saksakunmongkhon with Suwit her village, where she reported her story to the suit.
Bruno’s threats left Margaret with a terrible IJM. When IJM agreed to take on her case, Throughout the lengthy and often heated
choice. She could stay and face death, or flee she reports that she was “very happy and trial, IJM aftercare staff stood by Veronica’s
FOR THOSE WHO WISH TO PRAY excited. I said, ‘God has remembered me.’” side. Aftercare also found school
• Please pray for UK professionals: Chloe, Henry, Owen and Voratida, as they are IJM assisted Veronica in filing a civil suit sponsorships for her niece and nephew and
deployed to South Asia as IJM fellows. against Bruno and helped her access additionally helped Veronica begin a chicken
• Pray for the many Hill Tribe people in Thailand who are stateless and vulnerable; someone outside of Bruno’s sphere of rearing business, which now provides her
may God grant continued success to IJM in securing citizenship for victims influence: the Administrator General. He and the children with additional income.
throughout northern Thailand. issued Veronica a document granting her Now, the family is secure on their land.
permission to fence in the properties and “I was consumed by worry,” says Veronica,
• Pray for the wellbeing and safety of Legal Fellow Adrian Forster as he embarks
upon the second half of a joyful year at IJM Kolkata.
farm the land for the benefit of her niece rocking on her sofa. The skin around her
and nephew. eyes crinkles upwards. She joyfully slaps the
* In order to protect the individuals IJM serves and those who carry out the work, faces of When Veronica put up a fence to secure her home,
certain victims and IJM investigators have been blurred. To further conceal the identities Bruno simply tore it down, leaving Veronica With the Administrator General’s blessing, edge of the couch. “Then God brought for
of victims and safeguard ongoing IJM casework, pseudonyms have been used though the
accounts are real. Actual names and casework documentation are on file with IJM. extremely vulnerable and without an advocate. Veronica began to fence the land again. me IJM.”

BRITS DEPLOYING TO THE FIELD THIS AUTUMN
CHLOE QUANRUD:
COMMUNICATIONS
FELLOW, IJM CHENNAI
Chloe lives in Lewisham, London, a place
most commonly known for its lively
atmosphere and ethnic food markets. Until
she was 11 years old Chloe lived in Tirana,
Albania with her younger brother and
parents, who were missionaries there. She
graduated with a degree in History from
Bristol University last summer, and has
since been working for a UK charity in
the Marketing and Communications
Department. Chloe's favourite things
include: live music, community cafes,
running along the River Thames, cooking adventurously, and she has recently started
learning sign-language.
VORATIDA SANGCHANT:
LEGAL FELLOW,
IJM KOLKATA
Voratida recently completed the Bar
Vocational Course at BPP Law School,
London. For her bachelor’s degree she read
Philosophy, Politics and Economics at the
University of Oxford, and completed her
Postgraduate Diploma in Law at City
University, London. She volunteered with the
London Detainee Support Group, which
provides emotional and practical support to
those in detention centres, and worked as a
legal volunteer at Release, a drugs and human
rights charity. Having lived in various
countries including Japan and Russia Voratida has a great love of sushi and Russian
literature. Her other interests include playing football and afternoon tea.
STOP INJUSTICE;
START TO ACT
This year we have been inspired by the
many people who have chosen to raise
money in very different and dynamic
ways. Just two examples have been
Mary Smith and Dave Hassard. Mary, a
Mary Smith volunteering
star advocate, has given her time to both at New Wine
volunteer and fundraise, most notably
leading the SPLAT youth group of Holy Dave decided he would give himself a
Trinity Knaphill, Surrey (featured in our challenge and committed to cycling the
Summer newsletter) to raise a 1,000-mile journey from Land’s End to
John O’Groat’s resulting in a fantastic
whopping grand total of £1,620
through a youth service, a cycle ride £500 raised for IJM! If you are
and a drama. Going at it alone, motivated to stop injustice then why
not think about raising the money to do
so? The options are endless and the
potential is huge. Indeed, lately we have
been equipping supporters to do
something completely different: eat
dessert! Why not visit our Just Desserts
page today to find out how you can
fundraise with a pudding party:
Dave Hassard before embarking
upon 1,000 miles of fundraising www.ijmuk.org/desserts.
OWEN MASON:
LEGAL FELLOW,
IJM CHENNAI
After studying philosophy, Owen trained as a
barrister and was called to the Bar at Middle
Temple, London. For the past couple of years
he has been Legal Adviser to the Town
Solicitor of Belfast City Council advising
across legal issues in constitutional and
governance law. He’s also worked as an
advocate in employment law and pro bono
for Reprieve and the Free Representation
Unit, both in London. Owen has travelled a
bit - in Europe, South Asia, and East Africa.
He loves reading books on social change and
poetry, playing very amateur soccer, strumming a few chords on the guitar,
wondering whether his VW Camper will start, and eating food with his wife, Evelyn.
HENRY GUMBEL:
LEGAL FELLOW,
IJM BANGALORE
Henry has spent much of his life infiltrating
English culture. He was educated in-all
male private schools in London where he
learnt the rules of cricket and the
suppression of emotion. In the autumn of
1999 he set off to the north east of England
to study theology in the shadow of the
massive 11th century cathedral. The bones
of St Cuthbert could not hold him there
beyond three years and Henry returned to
London to familiarise himself with the law
of England and Wales. Slightly playing
across the line, he went into a hedge fund. The last year was spent in an outpost
of the old empire that the locals call Washington, DC.
WINDING UP THE SUMMER
This summer IJM UK was able to talk with hundreds of new people
from all over the UK about the reality of injustice today and the
solutions that exist to address it. With volunteers representing IJM
at the Keswick Convention, Justice & Peace weekend, New Wine
Conference and Greenbelt Festival, the holiday season has proved to
be very fruitful! Our New Wine teams particularly highlighted how
exciting it was to speak with experienced professionals who for the
first time are considering using their skills in the field – with IJM.
Many were able to hear from British barrister James ,
who gave a seminar on his own experience of directing
IJM Bangalore. Equally
inspiring for us was
meeting a group of young
children who were eager to
become prayer partners,
fundraisers and advocates,
and thereby use whatever
they have to love and help
oppressed children in the
developing world. Stepheny Petitte, Oliver Wright and Tom
Hassard at New Wine in Shepton Mallet
A THOUGHT FROM
OLLIE WRIGHT
Dear Friends,
In January 2008, I flew to
Washington, DC, where I was
trained and inspired in preparation
for the journey I have since taken
IN INDIA, FORMER SLAVES EXPLORE FREEDOM with IJM, which, amongst other
things, has included a year in Chiang
– ON BICYCLES Mai, Thailand and a year in
Colchester, Essex. As I now prepare to
BANGALORE, INDIA – What does a bicycle the potential this simple, often taken for move on from IJM I’m led to reflect
upon what it actually means to seek
mean? This symbol of sport and leisure for granted provision could have on the lives of justice, whether at the ‘front line’ or
many signifies something quite different in deserving victims and their families.” from some other position.
IJM’s anti-slavery casework in India. To a New Opportunities The word that seems to come to mind
recently-rescued victim of forced labour the most is perseverance. This time
A bicycle mobilises freed slaves in several ways. last year it was my delight to report
slavery, a bicycle can be a pivotal tool in the home with news of breakthrough in
Bicycles can play a critical role in generating
emancipation process, as it expands life the case of hill tribe orphans, Sunaree
income for families who have their own small Young IJM Bangalore client tests out her new bicycle and Suwit who today are thriving
choices, broadens horizons and makes the long
As one client explains, “I take the bicycle and I with a sense of newfound freedom
road to freedom easier to travel. farms, as it provides a means to bring their (which you can read about overleaf).
produce to the market for sale. One client go to work in a town five kilometres from here. However, that good news only came
Being able to travel freely is a new experience
explains, “My brother takes the [bicycle] to go When I go there for work, I get paid more after five years of perseverance on the
for some IJM clients. While trapped in slavery, part of my Thai colleagues. It would
to the closest market, which is seven kilometres there than at my village.” have been quite easy to give up on the
even if granted permission to temporarily leave
away from our village,” as he is unable to do so “Now we are happy to go to work” case when Sunaree and Suwit’s
the facility, forced labourers are often required mother died, yet IJM Thailand chose
himself, due to chronic pain from injuries he
to leave a family member behind as “collateral” Theerthagiri, who was rescued from slavery in to remain alongside the children
sustained at the hands of a kiln owner. and advocate for them until
to ensure their swift return. They watch those a brick kiln in May 2009 and received a bicycle justice prevailed.
who try to escape suffer brutal beatings. Every A bicycle also supports even more basic in October 2009, conveys how the bicycle has
elements of the rehabilitation process by
IJM enters into dangerous situations,
day, they are reminded that they live in a impacted his life: “Since receiving the bicycle,
broken lives and frustrating legal
confined world; they are not free to leave, or enabling essential transportation for those who [my wife and I] are happy… I used to feel processes every day: our work in the
to move. live in rural villages – particularly significant in field is costly in a number of ways. I
discouraged … because I had to travel such commend our staff on the front line
After partnering with local authorities to rescue finding fair-paying, sustainable employment. long distances… [But] having the bicycle helps for the decision they have made to
victims of slavery, IJM walks alongside the Many IJM clients live so remotely that a me look around for work. Finding work has truly live out a compassionate
lifestyle. However, if there is anything
former slaves, empowering them to rebuild bicycle provides newfound mobility; in the become relatively easy now that we have a way my time here at IJM UK - thousands
most remote villages buses come rarely, and not
their lives after years inside the brick kiln, rock to get around. Now we are happy to go to of miles from the field - has taught
me, it is that we cannot expect our
quarry or rice mill. And as part of this process, at fixed times, so they cannot be relied upon for work, even if it’s farther away…We can get
front line heroes to keep going on
IJM Bangalore invests in clients’ futures daily transportation to jobs outside of the there in time and go back home afterward.” their own. Indeed, they literally
by presenting them with their own village. But with the bicycle, IJM client IJM Bangalore aftercare workers determine
would not be able to do what they do
without faithful supporters like you
bicycles. Regional Aftercare Manager Robert Theerthagiri explains he can “go to work on which clients will receive a bicycle case-by-case, getting behind them. We can only
Amirtharaj explains: “IJM decided to give time and finish work and go home at the end based on compelling need or circumstance and thank you for choosing to make costly
of the day,” rather than remain at the facility decisions in order to be a part of
bicycles to released victims when we realised stewardship of other IJM provisions. International Justice Mission’s
overnight due to the lack of bus service. Currently, the program is in its initial stages, remarkable ongoing story. As I
prepare to say farewell to colleagues,
Being able to travel for work opens up new but the hope is to continue and expand this
opportunities: Rather than settling for endeavour. Robert explains, “The reasons for
I’m challenged to consider new ways
in which I might persevere in the
underpaid work and treatment reminiscent of giving bicycles may seem obvious or fight for justice - something I hope I’ll
never allow myself to say goodbye to.
their former bondage simply because a job is commonsensical, but when we consider these Surely the reward of seeing justice
“Now we are happy nearby, these men and women can take in the context of their life situations, the transform other people’s lives is one
to go to work”, we can never do without?
advantage of expanded options to secure bicycles become quite profound as we better
says former slave
Theerthagiri adequate compensation for their labour. understand the clients’ needs.” Yours joyfully,
Adrian Forster with colleagues UPDATE FROM BRITISH LAWYER, JUST GENERATION 2010
in Kolkata At the end of October Edinburgh will play host to Just
ADRIAN FORSTER – IJM KOLKATA
Generation 2010: a weekend of events for Christians to seek
“I’ve now been working in Kolkata for just over six God’s heart for justice. Events begin on Friday 29th October
months, and was fortunate enough to arrive just as with an evening focused on the “Art of Justice” which brings
IJM Kolkata made a series of major breakthroughs in together musicians and artists with a creative heart for justice. A
its operations here. IJM has only recently received its full conference day led by Andy Flannagan follows on Saturday
30th which will include worship, workshops and seminars.
first convictions here, and has also secured the largest repatriation of Nepali trafficking
victims in the State of West Bengal’s history. It’s been especially rewarding to see the joyful Don’t miss this excellent
but measured response of the national staff, many of whom have endured years of opportunity to be encouraged,
struggles for the successes the office now enjoys. There is now a real feeling in the office challenged and equipped by oliver.wright@ijmuk.org
that the momentum is beginning to shift in our favour. From a personal perspective, a many different organisations Administration and
major highlight has been accompanying the Nepali victims on their trip home after including IJM UK. For tickets Projects Assistant, IJM UK
months of struggle to help make that moment possible.” visit: www.justgeneration.org