CRISIS & OUR RESPONSE
Where others see statistics, we see children who need our help.
The Devastating Reality
Every year in Thailand, 1,500 children drown before their fifteenth birthday. Behind every number is a face, a family, a future cut short. Poverty and a lack of safety education don’t just put children at risk in the water, but also make them vulnerable to human trafficking. Without intervention, the cycle of loss and exploitation continues.
Our Life Saving Solution: Breath-of-Life (BOL)
We believe prevention saves lives. Ethnic minorities, impoverished persons, and stateless individuals face dual vulnerabilities – drowning and trafficking exploitation. Through collaborative partnerships with local Thai organizations and U.S. Colleges and Universities, BOL provides swimming lessons, water safety & survival skills, anti-human trafficking education, English language development, and life skills training. The BOL program creates protective barriers while opening doors to better opportunities.
Proven Impact That Saves Lives
Every number represents a life changed, a family protected, a future secured.
96.8%
Trip Satisfaction Rate
2,150
Program Graduates Since 2019
6
Number of Successful Trips
7
Partner Organizations in Thailand
86%
Would Recommend Paladin Breath-of-Life trip to Others
86%
Paladin Staff Met Expectations ‘Extremely Well’
HEAR DIRECTLY FROM STUDENTS WHOSE LIVES WERE FOREVER CHANGED
CHARLIE TEAM 2025
ARIZONA CHRISTIAN
UNIVERSITY
LIMA TEAM 2024
WHITWORTH & ARIZONA
CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITIES
ZULU TEAM 2024
CALVIN UNIVERSITY
KILO TEAM 2022
WHITWORTH
UNIVERSITY
SIERRA TEAM 2022
CALVIN UNIVERSITY
ECHO TEAM 2019
CALVIN UNIVERSITY
Breath-of-Life: 14 DayJourney to Thailand
Pre-Trip Preparation
- Four virtual training sessions.
- Instruction in Thai culture, customs, & language.
- Packing list & entry requirements (no Visa required).
- Safety protocols.
- Access to trip leaders for questions/support.
- ‘Line’ download for phone.
- Insurance cards and emergency contact support
Mission Objectives
- Swimming Lessons – breathing techniques, back float, front float, backstroke & freestyle.
- Water Safety & Survival Skills – water rescue scenarios, CPR, life jacket usage, & drowning prevention.
- Human Trafficking Education – identifying trafficking scouts & fake job offers, trafficking avoidance strategies, and establishing personal boundaries.
- English Language Development – word usage, spelling, grammar and pronunciation.
- Life Skills & Experience Music Project – teaching critical life skills through music, art, and drama.
Trip Cost & Inclusions: $2,250 per participant
- 14 days on the ground in Thailand.
- Safe & comfortable accommodations.
- All in-country transportation.
- Daily meals (breakfast, lunch, & dinner) & bottled water.
- Project supplies (swim gear, rescue equipment, & teaching materials).
- Paladin staff support and translation services.
- Name tag and 4 Paladin team shirts (2 swim shirts & 2 t-shirts).
- Four special events
- Elephant Sanctuary & bamboo rafting.
- Doi Suthep Temple.
- Tham Kaeo Komon cave exploration.
- Thai dinner & dance show.
- Emergency support & travel medical insurance.
- Team trip flyer & daily itinerary.
- Two production-level videos (Impact Highlights & Photo Essay).
- Google drive access to all trip photos and videos.
- Team banner to take back to your college or university.
Not included in trip cost: international airfare, passport fees, travel insurance upgrades, personal spending money, or optional free day activities.
COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIPS
SOP TIA SUB-DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY
- Leads the Water Safety & Survival Skills component
- Established partner since 2019 with 6 BOL team trips completed
COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL, A21, & CENTER FOR PROTECTION OF CHILDREN & YOUTH
- Leads the Human Trafficking Education component
- Established partners since 2022 with 3 BOL trips completed
FAMILY CONNECTION FOUNDATION & ABUNDANT GRACE CHURCH
- Leads the Life Skills Training and Experience Music Project.
- New partners onboarding in 2026.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the price of round-trip airfare to/from Thailand and what airport do we fly into?
It depends on the departure city in the U.S. and how many days in advance the tickets are purchased. Expect to pay anywhere from $900 to $1500 per ticket. Entry airport into Thailand is Chiang Mai International Airport (code: CNX).
What information is provided to trip participants prior to departing for Thailand?
Pre-trip departure information includes four virtual training sessions via Zoom to include Thai culture, customs, language, and safety protocols, inoculation recommendations, daily trip itinerary, packing list, entry requirements, ‘Line’ download for Android and I-Phones, and electronic insurance cards.
Do trip participants need prior experience teaching swimming and water safety/survival skills?
No prior experience is required. We have lead instructors in the pool for the swimming component and in the classroom for the water safety & survival skills component. Trip participants should have a heart of service for teaching life-saving skills in drowning mitigation and human trafficking prevention. Additionally, all trip participants are required to participate in Paladin’s comprehensive pre-trip virtual training sessions.
What is the physical requirement level?
Moderate physical activity including pool instruction and classroom teaching. The program is designed to accommodate participants with various fitness levels.
What safety and medical support is provided?
24/7 on-ground staff support, basic emergency medical coverage, established relationships with local medical facilities, and direct communication channels with trip leadership team.
How does this program address human trafficking prevention?
Participants teach children about safe touch, safe migration, online grooming recognition, and trafficking avoidance strategies, specifically targeting ethnic minorities and stateless individuals who are at highest risk.
Photo Gallery
