MAYAK WINTER NEWSLETTER 2024
MAYAK WINTER NEWSLETTER 2021
MAYAK SUMMER NEWSLETTER
2021
SONJA’S STORY
Sonja is a Russian citizen, she studied computer programming and had a good job in Moscow. Her father had died in 1991 and then she lost her mother in 2009. Grieving the loss of both her parents she went on a holiday to Hong Kong with a friend. The return flight was via Thailand with a long lay-over so they spent the night with an acquaintance that Sonja had met in Russia, a girl called Dasha. When they returned to Russia Sonja continued to build her friendship with Dasha and they chatted regularly by Skype. Sonja became depressed after her mother’s death and this got worse when a serious relationship broke up- Dasha offered her comfort and support and eventually suggested that Sonja make a new life in Thailand. Dasha had a child and a boyfriend and was so supportive and kind that Sonja decided that she was trustworthy and that this would be a good move. Dasha had found her a job with a Russian company as a tour guide and even booked the air ticket for her. Sonja was excited about her new life and fresh start with her friend in Thailand.
Sonja arrived in Bangkok and stayed with Dasha in her flat, but they didn’t go out and after a few days Sonja became concerned. She tried to book her return flight but Dasha had cancelled the ticket. It was then that Dasha and her partner said that they could find a ‘boyfriend’ for Sonja. When it became clear that they wanted her to become a prostitute, they threatened that they could plant drugs in her belongings and that the penalty for possession of drugs would be death. They physically and mentally abused her and claimed that she owed them thousands of dollars for their ‘expenses’ – if she did not have sex with men for money, she would not be able to eat. She had overstayed her visa and would also in be in trouble with the Thai authorities.
Sonja was already vulnerable after the loss of her parents and relationship break up- it was easy to coerce and exploit her. She was on downward spiral and the longer it went on, the harder it became to find a way out. These people had pretended to be her friends. Without family support, Sonja was isolated in a foreign country.
It took a few years for Sonja to find the strength to speak out. At first, she sought help from a man who pretended to care for her. He promised to help her with her visa but after a while he forced her to ‘work’ for him. She was afraid because he threatened to report her to Immigration. He treated her very badly, but she had nowhere else to go and so she stayed with him- the years went by. She had physically and mentally deteriorated and become dependent on her abuser, controlled and exploited for his gain. Finally, during the Covid-19 lockdown he met someone else and threw her out of the apartment.
No longer under the control of a pimp, she asked around and found NIghtlight International- an organisation based in Thailand that helps women and children that have been exploited in the sex industry. They gave her shelter and helped her with medical problems including anxiety and depression. Despite suffering from PTSD she took part in a prosecution against people involved in her trafficking and exploitation.
Our partners in Moscow have close contacts with Nightlight International and they contacted them to help with returning her to Russia and continuing her recovery. With our support, Sonja is now home in Russia and staying in the Moscow Safehouse. She is recovering physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually and we are supporting her in putting the pieces of her life back together. She now has a passport (official documents are needed for access to nearly all area of Russian life) and is looking for work. Most importantly, though, she now has real friends through a local church and the team that is with her in the Safehouse. There is a community of care around her.
The women that meet have long and complex stories- Sonja was a bright, educated young woman until her world imploded after the death of her parents. She was alone and vulnerable and was tricked into a life of prostitution. We are privileged to be part of her journey to freedom and to be working with her to restore her to a life of dignity and joy.
At Mayak, we actively seek out women in Moscow, Rostov and throughout Russia who, like Sonja, need to find real friends and to escape exploitation. We educate and raise awareness in vulnerable communities and offer hope and dignity to broken people.
Please join with us in our work. You can support us financially through our fund raising page Mayak Foundation Virgin Moneygiving
If you would like more information, please go to our website www.mayak.org.uk
We would be delighted to visit your local community group or church group for a short presentation. Please contact us through our website if you would like to arrange a meeting.
Thank you for your support – we hope that you enjoy the rest of this summer
Stay safe
With love from all at Mayak Foundation