We have a new young brother at our shelter now who is seriously ill. I don't know the full details, and even if I did, I would not be able to share them on this blog, but the situation is devastating to say the least. This individual is younger than I am, has been working in Taiwan for more than a year, and his brokers want to send him back to Vietnam even though he will have zero or no chance of getting treatment as he would not be able to afford it. We would like to take him to the doctor here in Taoyuan, but since his brokers have his papers and documentation, it will be a challenge to seek out the proper medical care. It is truly saddening, and I feel so helpless. It is instances like these--the actions of people like these heartless brokers that makes one slowly lose faith in humanity. But on the other hand, it is people like those in this office, and those fighters for social justice and peace around the world that are slowly tipping the balance.

Last night, at dinner, Cha Hung received a phone call on his cell phone from an individual who had been fired from her employer and then subsequently taken in by her broker and handcuffed for 4 days. She eventually was able to call Cha Hung, and he is now busy trying to mediate the situation. I believe the police are involved now, but who knows how this case will end up? At the end of the day, Cha Hung told me that he was tired, and this is a strong statement coming from him.