Katsuo Takahashi

"Katsuo Takahashi is a Japanese freelance photographer based in Tokyo. He takes photos of people who are the voice of voiceless, that are on the edge and baring their soul. He has been working on a documentary about Burmese migrants."

I just ran across his photos online and he has some powerful photos of Burmese women that are trafficked into marriage with Chinese men in his most recent photo essay called "Lured Into a Trap."

A mother of a victim calling to her daughter when a member of a local organization visited her house. She realized her daughter was 4 month pregnant. 

A Burmese trafficker in a Burmese jail. She trafficked 3 Burmese women and earned 24000 Yuan,about 3200 U.S$.

 I was surprised that the trafficker in this picture was a woman. I guess I always assume the people in charge of trafficking to be men.

A father of a victim coming to a border town, Laiza for getting information about her.He sold almost all properties to trace her. She was trafficked a half year ago and she`s got married with a Chinese.

This next one breaks my heart:

A mother of a victim crying over seeing a picture of daughter`s sons.

You can see more of Takahashi's photos at his website. 

-T

First Post!

Hello reader! This is Tammy here, the treasurer of our club. Just breaking in the new blog. Take a look at our "About Me" on the right side tab there. This blog will be kept up by various members of our club to post stories of human trafficking to spread awareness. I hope this blog will be informative and a good place for discussion and thought. Just a lil' bit about the picture on the profile, dang it, I can't seem to find the photographer who took it, but it's one of my favorite photos. It's of a girl spreading her arms out to water from a broken hydrant. I hope we can all spread our arms out like she is with what we learn from our club and with this blog. Spread the arms! Spread the word! Let's fill in that blank.

-T