Lek Saruta of Northern Thailand’s Akha Hill Tribes is completing an internship this summer with Kim and Philippe Villard at their Boothbay Harbor art studio.

A 2014 fine arts graduate of Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Saruta quickly transitioned from etching, the primary medium of her college portfolio, to white-line woodblock printing taught to her by her mentors, the Villards. By day three she was carving her own woodblocks. She is now creating original woodblock prints.

Saruta is developing her own style, unique design and art, combining her Thai heritage with white-line woodblock printing. Woodblock printing was developed thousands of years ago in Asia but the current technique of white-line woodblock printing originated on Cape Cod, circa 1915.

Saruta now has an opportunity to bring this American technique back to Southeast Asia, positioning herself as an expert in her native Thailand. In fact, her university advisor has asked her to teach white-line woodblock printing courses upon her return in early fall.

Saruta came from an impoverished village in the Akha Hill tribe region bordering Burma in Northern Thailand. Her education was made possible thanks to Friends of Thai Daughters, a small, 501(c) (3) organization based out of Boothbay and founded by Jane McBride and Patty Zinkowski. When McBride and Zinkowski met Saruta in her home village, they were shocked by her living conditions and lack of opportunity — it was the most desolate village they had visited in the region.

Selling opium was the principal way to make a living in her village and human trafficking was a constant threat. Despite this, Saruta’s smile, energy and eagerness stood out and the two women asked Saruta to be part of their program.

Friends of Thai Daughters provides education as a means of humanitarian aid to prevent child trafficking. The organization is currently helping 17 young girls aged 8 to 23. As part of the program, Saruta lived in a safe house in the Chiang Raï region with other young girls at risk of being trafficked. “The Sunflower House” provided a family for young Saruta and allowed her to safely continue her education as long as she wished. She is welcomed enthusiastically when she visits her home village and is an inspiration to young girls and boys there. Now, Saruta plans to start her own small business upon her return.

To see Saruta’s woodblock print collection, visit Villard Studios in Boothbay Harbor at 53-57 Campbell Street (by appointment) and/or attend a fundraising event for Friends of Thai Daughters on Thursday, August 21 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Barters Island Community Hall, Boothbay. For more information about the event or Friends of Thai Daughters, visit www.friendsofthaidaughters.org or email julie@friendsofthaidaughters.org.