During my time in Chiang Mai, I visited The Chai Lai Orchid which is an eco-lodge and home for rescued elephants. The owner of the lodge also started an organization called Daughters Rising that helps fight against human trafficking by empowering women to rise above poverty.

 In the context of unethical tourism, we strive to be different: By prioritizing social transformation over profit, we believe we can protect the environment, our community, and the elephants. 

Chai Lai Orchid

Daughters Rising takes an intersectional feminist, sex-positive, grassroots approach to work with at-risk populations and underserved ethnic minority communities. We believe that collaboration and long-lasting relationships that respect local culture are the best ways to enact meaningful change. We work with the most at-risk populations in Northern Thailand— ethnic minority women and refugees in underserved rural communities. We believe that by creating as many opportunities as possible for these women and girls, we can help them become strong leaders and advocates. For this reason, we take a multifaceted approach to our work— education, employment, and outreach.

There are more than 20 million slaves in the world today. According to the U.S. State Department, 600,000 to 800,000 people are trafficked across international borders every year, of which, 80% are female and half are children.

Daughters Rising accepts volunteers who specialize in human rights, health and hygiene, women’s health, Chinese, English, Spanish, marketing, fundraising, culinary arts, hospitality, dance, art therapy, photography, and martial arts. To learn more click HERE