Help Us Film The Bhikkhuni Project
Doação protegida
Felicia: This page was originally set up by my friends as a surprise to raise money for the International Women's Meditation Center in Rayong, Thailand. The center has been a refuge for Thai female Bhikkhuni monks who are fighting for the right to ordain in Thailand in order to give women and girls living in poverty an alternative to the lucrative sex-work industry that plagues the Thai economy. Ordination has set many of these women on the path to education, with many of them moving on to higher education and several in the process of getting Master's degrees. The meditation center has provided refuge for several women and children who have been trafficked from rural areas of Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos. One of the main buildings of the meditation center was burned down and completely destroyed by men who are being paid to threaten these women by those who have a vested interest in keeping women in poverty with little alternatives to the sex industry.
Under the guidance of UCSB professor and renowned filmmaker Kum-Kum Bhavnani, my best friend Shelby and I will be returning to Thailand on July 4th to bring these women the money this GoFundMe has raised for them as well as begin to film their story. Our hopes are that our film will get the attention of people who will be able to help and keep these women safe, and show that Thailand's failure to protect these women is in violation of UN human rights agreements that vow to protect religious freedom.
In preparation for our trip, we have found that the costs of this film are adding up to more than we originally prepared for, but we are determined to tell this story and would appreciate your support in any way! Either by donating, or sharing this with your friends... we will be eternally grateful! Any donations would go towards the cost of safer transportation, necessary equipment accessories, translators, and editing. Thank you! Kap-khun-ka!
(Check out the original post by my awesome friends below! Pictures of arsoned meditation center included)
This GoFundMe as been set up as a surprise for Felicia Balli's birthday and is being used to raise money to rebuild a monastery that was burned down in Thailand which Felicia has a direct personal connection to.
Back in July of 2015 Felicia studied abroad in Thailand for six weeks and was able to learn a lot about the culture and politics of the country. While in Thailand she became close with a very influential female monk who shed light on the state of their religious freedom.
In Thailand the top legal and Buddhist authority bars women from becoming monks. Women are viewed as inferior and many of the poor Thai women have trouble getting any sort of education or work.
Because of this, many young Thai girls are forced by their family or lack of opportunity into the sex trade industry which is legal there and very popular.
The female monastery provided a safe and hopeful alternative for these women. Many young girls sought refuge in this Monastery which provided security, education and a path to a better life.
The second time that Felicia visited Thailand she stayed at the Monastery with these women to learn more about what was going on. She came back with some incredibly moving stories.
Corruption in Thailand seemingly runs as deep in the government as it does in religion and with the government (who have signed but clearly not upheld a UN freedom of religion agreement) working closely with Buddhist authority it has become impossible for women to be ordained as monks.
During Felicia's stay she was cautioned of the violence often brought upon the women by unaccepting outsiders (often male monks) and was told to stay on the property and indoors at night for her own safety as many men would sneak onto the property in the evening with highly unfavorable intentions. She was kept safe, the young Thai women seeking refuge were kept safe and the land of this Monastery was successfully cultivated to be a self-sustaining sanctuary for many Buddhist women.
On April 4th Felicia received an email from the Thai women telling her that their monastery had been burned down (photos attached). Most people affiliated with the monastery suspect arson which makes the destruction that much more rattling. Felicia was devastated that day and we hope to brighten her spirits along with the women that lost their home and place of worship.
This money will be solely used to help rebuild their monastery. Any donation would help as a little goes a long way in Thailand. Felicia plans to return to Thailand in July to help get these women back on their feet and tell their story and we would love to show her that her friends support her passions!
Under the guidance of UCSB professor and renowned filmmaker Kum-Kum Bhavnani, my best friend Shelby and I will be returning to Thailand on July 4th to bring these women the money this GoFundMe has raised for them as well as begin to film their story. Our hopes are that our film will get the attention of people who will be able to help and keep these women safe, and show that Thailand's failure to protect these women is in violation of UN human rights agreements that vow to protect religious freedom.
In preparation for our trip, we have found that the costs of this film are adding up to more than we originally prepared for, but we are determined to tell this story and would appreciate your support in any way! Either by donating, or sharing this with your friends... we will be eternally grateful! Any donations would go towards the cost of safer transportation, necessary equipment accessories, translators, and editing. Thank you! Kap-khun-ka!
(Check out the original post by my awesome friends below! Pictures of arsoned meditation center included)
This GoFundMe as been set up as a surprise for Felicia Balli's birthday and is being used to raise money to rebuild a monastery that was burned down in Thailand which Felicia has a direct personal connection to.
Back in July of 2015 Felicia studied abroad in Thailand for six weeks and was able to learn a lot about the culture and politics of the country. While in Thailand she became close with a very influential female monk who shed light on the state of their religious freedom.
In Thailand the top legal and Buddhist authority bars women from becoming monks. Women are viewed as inferior and many of the poor Thai women have trouble getting any sort of education or work.
Because of this, many young Thai girls are forced by their family or lack of opportunity into the sex trade industry which is legal there and very popular.
The female monastery provided a safe and hopeful alternative for these women. Many young girls sought refuge in this Monastery which provided security, education and a path to a better life.
The second time that Felicia visited Thailand she stayed at the Monastery with these women to learn more about what was going on. She came back with some incredibly moving stories.
Corruption in Thailand seemingly runs as deep in the government as it does in religion and with the government (who have signed but clearly not upheld a UN freedom of religion agreement) working closely with Buddhist authority it has become impossible for women to be ordained as monks.
During Felicia's stay she was cautioned of the violence often brought upon the women by unaccepting outsiders (often male monks) and was told to stay on the property and indoors at night for her own safety as many men would sneak onto the property in the evening with highly unfavorable intentions. She was kept safe, the young Thai women seeking refuge were kept safe and the land of this Monastery was successfully cultivated to be a self-sustaining sanctuary for many Buddhist women.
On April 4th Felicia received an email from the Thai women telling her that their monastery had been burned down (photos attached). Most people affiliated with the monastery suspect arson which makes the destruction that much more rattling. Felicia was devastated that day and we hope to brighten her spirits along with the women that lost their home and place of worship.
This money will be solely used to help rebuild their monastery. Any donation would help as a little goes a long way in Thailand. Felicia plans to return to Thailand in July to help get these women back on their feet and tell their story and we would love to show her that her friends support her passions!
Organizador e beneficiário
AMWE Movement
Organizador
Goleta, CA
Felicia Balli
Beneficiário