The most rewarding job: Meet Subin

Our community care caseworkers are often unsung heroes. They can assume the role of a friend, teacher, advisor and second parent to girls we have rescued from sexual exploitation or trafficking in Asia.

It can be emotionally, mentally and even physically taxing. Despite this, caseworker Subin says it has been the “most rewarding” job.

Subin works the regular grind in Thailand – Monday to Friday.

In the first two days of his week, he clears paperwork. He writes reports about his previous week’s visits with survivors and manages their scholarships. He also notes each survivor’s progress or obstacles, and hands them to his team who write a personalized plan for each girl.

For the rest of his week, he rides his motorbike to towns and provinces in Thailand to visit the children in his care and their families. These trips can vary in range, from a quick 30-minute dash down the road to a few hours. And these trips, he says, are not always met with hospitality.

“When it rains, the road becomes very difficult to drive in. Sometimes, even after driving for a long time, they [the children and their parents] do not want to come out to see us,” he says.

Unshaken by their unwillingness, Subin will continue to collect the information he needs about these children. He tries to answer questions such as are the children going to school? If not, why? Do they need help processing their Thai national ID? Do the parents have a sustainable income? Can the family afford food? The answers to these questions help Child Rescue provide adequate support for them.

Subin also helps find safe jobs for survivors who want to help their family financially. To avoid work clashing with school, Subin offers girls summer jobs at small businesses such as street food stalls and cafes. He continues to monitor their performance and safety by regularly meeting with their managers or business owners.