2017 Updates

Northern Thailand

This past spring, FFC built its seventh aquaponics farm for a safe home in Northern Thailand established by ZOE International! This home is rehabilitating nearly 100 children that have all been rescued from brothels and prostitution rings around the region. FFC couldn’t be more impressed with ZOE International and the work they are doing with the Thai government to liberate these children.

With an aquaponics farm, these beloved kids now have a reliable food source that includes a wide variety of vegetables and fish protein. The farm also brings the safe home one step closer to self-sufficiency.

It’s a great privilege to make a lasting difference in the lives of these children.

And, we're glad to say the farm is producing well. So far it has grown tomatoes, pumpkins, broccoli, cauliflower, and morning glory beans, which are a favorite of the kids as well as the fish! Thank you for making these developments possible through your actionable support.

Kenya

FFC will return to Kenya on October 2nd to develop a second aquaponics farm—its eighth so far. The recipient of the farm is an organization called Empowering Lives International (ELI), which is doing extensive work in Tanzania, DR Congo, and Kenya to provide for the needs of local orphans and to empower poor families with life tools like education and business training. We'll also be taking this opportunity in Kenya to check on the nearby farm we established at Open Arms Village last year.

Kenya was once among the most economically robust countries in Africa, but after a difficult election in 2007 and a major drought in 2009, the Kenyan economy become more like its poorer neighbors, Ethiopia and Chad. As we've seen around the world, poverty can be a breeding ground for child trafficking. Today more than 20,000 children are trafficked in Kenya each year. Since 1995 ELI has been partnering with Kenyan nationals as well as partners in the United States to help thousands of suffering people find a pathway to empowerment. We're (FFC) is very excited to begin our relationship with ELI by helping them sustainably provide for the local people through aquaponics farming.

The next farm will be utilized to support the two children’s homes that ELI maintains for orphans, and it will also be a valuable means of education for their two vocational training centers.

 

Local Initiative

FFC has partnered with a local nut-butter company called Ground Up Nut Butters. Ground Up is a for-profit business intent on training disadvantaged women in the Greater Portland area. They not only hire, but also provide each woman with marketable skills through the production and sales of their tasty and nutritious nut butters. They take a holistic approach to empowerment, offering personal development services and mentorship during the workday. Their goal is for women to engage in creative self-expression that leads to greater confidence and future opportunities.

By sponsoring one woman’s internship at Ground Up, FFC has been able to support her journey out of exploitation and abuse into a healthy work environment where she was able to develop sustainable job skills. She's learned so much, committed herself to creating a better life, and has recently found a full-time job as a caregiver! We’re continuing to cheer her on as she moves forward on her path to a healthier, more vibrant life.

Currently, FFC is in discussion with Portland’s Sexual Assault Resource Center (SARC) to create more sponsorship opportunities and job placements for local trafficking victims. We’re also looking to offer trips that facilitate continued mentorship and healing through fly fishing and outdoor recreation.

We’ll continue to keep you updated on the great things that we are accomplishing together. If you’d like to contribute financially to help these projects move forward, you can make your tax-deductible donation below.