Pacific Links Foundation

The Elevate Prize will enable me to accelerate the impact of Pacific Links Foundation’s work to prevent modern-day slavery, particularly with regards to PAXU, our Workers’ Well-being and Growth mobile app that helps low-skilled migrant workers think concretely about their migration decisions through gamification. Low-skilled migrants often lack reliable information about job opportunities far away from home and unknowingly make decisions based on the astounding degree of misinformation spread by traffickers through informal social networks to migrate, which can result in debt bondage and even death. 

Funding will be used to support further development and adoption of the PAXU app, including: 

• Localization to bring the app worldwide

• Marketing using social media campaigns and direct outreach to millions of at-risk people 

• Cultivation of the PAXU community including app users, suppliers who want a supply chain free from trafficking, and buyers/consumers who want a transparent and ethical supply chain 

• Communications to users through in-app campaigns to increase engagement and retention

• Building the brand identify of PAXU as a holistic solution for workforce well-being and growth 

• New app features 

• Microlearning curriculum development for upskilling workers through e-learning and self-learning with AI (topics include English language, communications, financial literacy, leadership) 

When I was 16, I believed I would die at sea. I escaped from Vietnam by boat in 1980, crammed in with other refugees like sardines. While I was among the lucky few to build a new life in America through education, many others still live in the same state of fear and deprivation today. I decided to return to Vietnam to do what I could. I envision a world where women and youth can unlock their full potential and become change leaders, free from human trafficking - one of the greatest threats impeding the development of Vietnam. I founded Pacific Links Foundation in 2001 and grew it into one of the leading NGOs working to prevent trafficking in Vietnam. This is where I have chosen to focus my energy for a kinder and more just world. One key way to prevent trafficking is through access to education and economic opportunities, especially the skills to thrive in an increasingly globalized world. In the future, we aim to scale our solutions, such as PAXU, to reach more vulnerable populations and enhance our educational and skills development solutions, including for English and STEM, through innovative use of technology for maximum impact.

Human trafficking is the second largest criminal industry globally, estimated at $150 billion per year, enslaving 40+ million people (ILO & Walk Free Foundation 2017) and devastating communities worldwide. Trafficking is estimated to be over three times as prevalent in Vietnam as in the United States per 1,000 individuals (Global Slavery Index 2018). Consequently, Vietnam is a top source country for trafficking victims, often lured into modern slavery by false job promises for a better life. 70% of victims are women and girls, and only 1% ever get rescued (UNODC 2016).

For 20+ years, Pacific Links Foundation has invested in 150,000+ at-risk youth to prevent trafficking before it starts and trafficking survivors to build a new life in a culturally competent context that addresses the root causes of trafficking (poor education and job prospects, gender inequality, marginalization, and fake news). Our holistic solutions are designed to reduce trafficking risk by transforming women and youth’s economic potential into power and enabling brands to increase supply chain transparency. Solutions include education and skills development to increase access to safer economic opportunities, reintegration services for trafficking survivors, training on victim identification, and cultivation of women leaders.

Pacific Links Foundation’s solutions are informed by beneficiary voices and are designed to address their unique needs. For the last 5 years, I have pivoted our work to harness technology to reach those who are most impoverished and at risk for trafficking to maximize impact. COVID-19 has accelerated the need for our recipients to be digitally connected to leapfrog the barriers in their resource-poor communities. Further, with the proliferation of fake news, vulnerable workers must be safeguarded against misinformation. 

Today, PAXU helps workers on the move comprehensively think through complex concepts when deciding to migrate far away from home. PAXU elevates opportunities for migrant workers by enabling access to reliable resources about safe migration, skills development, and employment, including through four unique calculators (debt repayment, broker’s fee repayment, migration decision to compare living costs and Phở Index® (akin to the Big Mac Index) calculator that helps users understand purchasing power parity), microlearning opportunities for workforce skills development, and vetted job opportunities to promote ethical recruitment processes. PAXU employs a global community approach - a necessity with today’s free movement of trade, increased worker migration, and rising threats to worker safety while boosting brand reputation and customer confidence.

Our 20+ years of direct experience working with vulnerable communities and trafficking survivors in Vietnam and 2019 research report, Precarious Journeys, about the risks and trends of trafficking from Vietnam to the UK provides essential insight into what is most needed to prevent trafficking and forced labor in the supply chain. We holistically address trafficking risk factors from the individual to community level to create a more robust and sustainable line of defense with a diverse, global network in the public and private sectors to build capacity and technology to scale reach. This enables youth to thrive by making informed decisions to expand economic opportunities and companies to protect brand reputation and reduce costly high turnover rates when employees leave for false opportunities. 

Our successful evidence-based solutions have served 150,000+ at-risk youth and trafficking survivors, including:

• 1,000+ trafficking survivors supported with 100% building a new life, including attending university, becoming entrepreneurs, and working as high-skilled workers

• 10,000+ PAXU app installations since July 2020 with a 35% increase in financial literacy 

• 21,000+ scholarships awarded with a 6% school dropout rate compared to 17% national average (UNICEF 2014)

• 52,000+ workers trained, with 80% identifying actions to protect their communities