IOMX ASEAN Youth Forum, Bangkok, Thailand.

On 11th March, I was on my way to one of the biggest adventure of my life! I headed out to the airport with a lot of nerves and excitement for my upcoming trip. 

In December, I accepted the challenge to advocate against human trafficking and modern day slavery. And in February, I'm on my way to meet with 19 other ASEAN's most profound young leaders to realise the advocacy in an exciting youth forum designed by IOMx. 

Bangkok-bound, enjoying the on air sunset

We arrived at the Beat Hotel, Bangkok, that night. I gotta say that it's an amazing place, very artistic and definitely a good 'youth venue'. 

Nestled in the most artsy district of Bangkok was IOM X's inaugral ASEAN Youth Forum against human trafficking and slavery - incredibly amazing 4 days in Bangkok training in anti-human trafficking campaigning and outreach efforts with the amazing Lindsey Higgs, who I'm so thankful for everything she and the IOM X team did to make these the five days the best! Your unwavering support for our ideas pushes us forward. Met inspiring and passionate youth from all over ASEAN that made it an unforgettable experience/ lunching with UN and its affilliate agencies like UN Women, ILO, World Vision, IOM and USAID Asia with so much passion for youth advocacy was encouraging. So much hope for the future, with the help of IOM X and ASEAN Youth for Ending Slavery

The few days was very relaxed and easy-going, everybody was comfortable.

During the first night, we had dinner while chilling at a skybar @ Marriott hotel. The bar offers one of the most beautiful 360 degree panoramic view of the city. It was wonderful!

After the skybar dinner, we took the initiative to explore the night market which the name I do not remember. It's got a very festive and lively atmosphere. There was one section that serves great street food, then there were also people walking around carrying insects like scorpions, crickets and worms. I tried the cricket, it wasn't pleasant but it actually tasted like peanuts. hahahahahahahahahahhahahahahahahhahahaha

Tuk-tuk rides! Most exciting ride ever! We went fast and furious

Then the second day brought us even more amazing activities, one that really caught my eyes was the role-play section. We role-played a situation in which a young man in a poor family wanted to migrate, desperate to find money to support his old, sick parents. And then he found a recruiter, not exactly trustworthy, but he was offered a job in a neighbouring country and he doesn't need to produce documents which takes up a lot of time... he just need to say yes and he is ready to fly. However, he took the initiative to take advice from his friends and a local migration resource centre to ensure that he travels safely. 

What's amazing about this role play is that it involves and engages with the audience (us and a few other USAID and UN staffs) so the audience get to give open opinions about the role-player's decision making.

And what's even more interesting is that.. there were gopros attached on the role-players' heads so that we can make a film out of it as well. and it's in a first-person's perspective. (wait... does my story make sense?)

and after that, we took an awesome group photo

beautiful roof top sunset

And on the last day, we had a city challenge - X marks the spot.

It is designed in a way that it resembles a photo-marathon. We were given a list of things that is related to human trafficking, then we were set free to roam around in the city to find photos to take. I had a gopro attached to my head to record all the things that we did that day. Which.. is pretty exciting. 

One of our group's work through the city challenge, chasing a train... this to symbolise travel and migration.

And after that, we just design timelines of specific country activities.

The certificate presentation is unique though. Instead of IOMx presenting the certs, it is the participants that present the certs to each other.

And then at night, we had a river cruise... beautiful!

Met a guy, I can't recall his name. I heard it as Tyler, but I'm pretty sure it's spelled differently. He's a photographer too! *omg moment*

And this is a bomb shelter

I know this blog post doesn't do justice to the actual forum... but I hope it did give a little insight of the things we did. All in all, IOMx did a pretty good job in designing the workshop... in a way that it is super informative and fun at the same time. 

A world full of strangers - A note of gratitude

I lost my phone at 3a.m of 15/3/2015 in Don Mueang airport, Thailand. I was honestly flustered. Scared. Panicked. It's fairly difficult as it is to communicate with people as many of them don't speak very fluent english. I was very thankful to god that day that I managed to stay calm and patient.

But most of all... I am thankful to all the strangers around me. The security lady who kindly helped point out the directions I should go to find the airport's police. The nice stewardess who just got off work, who gracefully help me translate every word I say to a security guard that has almost zero clue of what I'm saying.

And also to the two kind, and beautiful stranger that stayed with me through the ordeal. Thank you sir for lending me your phone to contact people, without a single thread of doubt. Thank you for allowing me to call. And to the lady, who faithfully translated me for the policeman. Thank you to the professional policemen who also helped me through it all.

Although my phone is a lost hope, I am very thankful to these kind strangers. I don't know you, but you lend me a helping hand anyway.