A Stella Maris port chap-lain in Thailand has been recognized by the US Department of State for her dedicated and untiring work supporting trafficked seafarers and fishers.
Apinya Tajit, Stella Maris Deputy Director in Chanthaburi diocese received the US Department of State 2022 Trafficking in Persons Report Hero Award from Secretary of State Antony J Blinken at a ceremony in Washington DC on July 19.
She has helped hundreds of workers in the fishing sector from various countries, including Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia, Burma and Bangladesh and has also played an active role in raising awareness of child trafficking, visiting schools throughout Thailand to educate more than 10,000 students each year.
Apinya has worked with global maritime network Stella Maris since 2005 and has for the past seven years dedicated her energies towards combatting human trafficking.
“This Award is completely unexpected to me, and I feel honoured to receive it. Stella Maris works closely with law enforcement agencies in Thailand to support trafficked fishers and seafarers. We assist by way of helping identify victims, rescuing them, helping them reintegrate into society,” she said.
We provide training, access to legal advice, and funding to help them rebuild their lives,”