A group of children with Buddhist Nun Pimjai Maneerat at the Orphanage in Sangkhlaburi. Kanchanaburi province. Thailand
In Sangklaburi of Kanchanaburi province, located west of Bangkok along the border of Myanmar and Thailand, this area has become home to various stateless migrants, who fled their previous homes in search for better living conditions on the Thai-side. The the Thai Stateless Hill-tribes Education Centre (known locally as ‘the nun’s school) was set up to help. It’s run by Buddhist nun Pimjai Maneerat with the assistance of hoards of volunteers who educate and care for the 60-plus stateless children who live here. Some are Burmese settlers fleeing their native land while others are from the oppressed Karen tribes, relentlessly pursued by Burmese soldiers. Many don’t know their own surname. Technically illegal immigrants, the refugees are allowed to remain in the region but are prevented from travelling elsewhere in Thailand. Unregistered, they are prime targets for child traffickers, ready to pluck them out of childhood and into forced labour or sexual servitude.
Size: 4256px × 2832px
Location: Hilltribe Learning Center, Sangkhlaburi, Thailand
Photo credit: © parkerphotography / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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