Children's Organization of Southeast Asia

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The Children's Organization of Southeast Asia (COSA) is a nonprofit group in northern Thailand that works to prevent human trafficking. Founded in 2006 by photographer Mickey Choothesa, COSA builds trust with local communities and partners with them to create lasting, positive change.

COSA’s approach is to stop trafficking at its source by educating and supporting families and communities. They believe giving children safety and access to school helps protect them from trafficking.

In 2016, a crisis hit COSA. The Thailand foundation, led by Choothesa, moved funds into accounts not linked to COSA. The U.S. COSA nonprofit formed a new board, removed Choothesa from leadership, and stopped fundraising due to mismanagement. Choothesa then shut down the Baan Yuu Suk girls’ shelter. He faced lawsuits in Thailand, and the girls at the shelter were displaced. The U.S. board, working with Thai authorities, placed the girls in other schools and homes. The U.S. COSA nonprofit ended its operations after making sure the girls were safe.

This situation also led to a documentary called The Wrong Light by Shine Global. The film has been shown worldwide and won several awards.

COSA’s philosophy centers on prevention through education. They aim to keep children safe, get them into school, and empower hill tribe communities to reduce trafficking.

Baan Yuu Suk was COSA’s flagship shelter. The organization also runs outreach programs called MOSAIC, OASIS, and PASS.

- MOSAIC (Medical Outreach and Social Aid In Communities) started in 2011 to address health and social needs. It helps prevent illness from keeping families in poverty and exposing children to exploitation. It provides healthcare, family counseling, casework, child abuse support, and emergency housing and relief.

- PASS (Providing Access to School and Safety) began in 2012 to give at-risk children free transportation to school. Many families in northern Thailand face long walks, difficult travel, or costly school basics, so PASS helps remove these barriers.

- OASIS (Outreach and Special Intel Services) started in 2014 with the Royal Thai Police to strengthen prevention efforts. It helps locate shelter and safe spaces for children rescued in anti-trafficking operations.

COSA has also worked to challenge trafficking myths and raise awareness about the complexity of the issue.