Steps Taken to Counter Trafficking of Children Across Indochina

Steps Taken to Counter Trafficking of Children Across Indochina

Human trafficking of children is a blight and has to end.

Accordingly, Bangkok-based YAANA Ventures stepped up to organise the Blue Dragon Marathon Walk at Koh Kred, a heritage-rich island in the Chao Phraya River, Greater Bangkok, on 8 September.

The charity event raised funds to end human trafficking of children in Vietnam and surrounding countries.

Over 80 walkers strode out at the event which raised US$5,070 (THB168,929), exceeding the US$3,000 (THB100,000) target.

Blue Dragon estimates that US$150 can keep a child in school for a year; US$350 can help a family start a livestock farm; US$500 will reunite a trafficked victim with their family and provide them emergency support to start over; and US$1,000 is enough to launch a rescue operation to bring a person home from slavery.

“People were inspired and turned out in big numbers,” said Mark Remijan, co-founder of YAANA Ventures. “Our tourism companies have a long-term commitment to the countries where we work. Today, we contributed to a crucial cause — the wellbeing of vulnerable young people in our region.”

Founded in 2003, Blue Dragon has rescued over 1,500 people from trafficking, sent 6,400 kids back to school and training, provided shelter to over 1,770 girls and boys, served nearly 684,000 meals, and obtained legal papers for 13,553 people.

The event was co-organised by Naruna – Beyond Retreats, a YAANA Ventures company specialising in workplace productivity.

With the 8 September event, YAANA Ventures has restarted its charity fundraising initiatives, following successful cycling-based fundraisers in 2017 and 2019. In 2025 YAANA Ventures will hold another charity event in one of its destinations.

People who missed the walk on 8 September, can still donate to Blue Dragon’s anti-trafficking cause at https://www.bluedragonwalk.org/o/yaana-ventures

Find out more about YAANA Ventures’ giving back commitments at https://yaana-ventures.com/sustainability/