The Otto and Fran Walter Foundation has awarded a grant to Friends of Thai Daughters (FTD), a nonprofit organization, preventing child trafficking in Northern Thailand. Both organizations operate out of the Boothbay region.

The grant will be used to buy land and build a permanent safe house for up to 15 young girls from border villages in Northern Thailand, sustaining FTD’s successful education-based program for years to come.

“Fran Walter believed that every girl deserves a chance to grow to her full potential,” said Marty Peak Helman, of the foundation. “In her name, the Otto and Fran Walter Foundation is thrilled to support the efforts of Friends of Thai Daughters to create a safe haven where girls can live in safety, work hard and finish school. Fran's legacy will be in the futures that these girls create for themselves.”

FTD co-founder Patty Zinkowski will be joining the Walter Foundation’s Marty and Frank Helman and FTD’s Julie Lamy in Northern Thailand in January.

The trip will include a visit to the grant-acquired property and the current Sunflower House.

At this time, FTD rents a house, which provides a safe house for high school and grade school girls in Chiang Rai.

By building a permanent home, the organization can provide its program for years to come to those most in need, orphaned and neglected young girls from the Golden Triangle Region.

For more information on child trafficking and other barriers facing young girls in the Golden Triangle or FTD, visit www.friendsofthaidaughters.org or email Julie at julie@friendsofthaidaughters.org.