Public statement
From Mickey Choothesa
For nearly two decades, I’ve dedicated my life to documenting injustice and protecting vulnerable children from exploitation. From war zones to remote villages, I’ve witnessed both the brutality of human trafficking and the resilience of those who survive it. COSA-OASIS was born from that experience—a mission to intervene, protect, and empower.
In 2016, COSA faced serious allegations of financial mismanagement under my leadership. These events led to the closure of our U.S. fundraising arm and the displacement of children from our shelter in Northern Thailand. I take full responsibility for the breakdown in oversight and the harm it caused. It was a painful reckoning—one that forced me to confront not only the systems I built, but the stories I told.
Since then, I’ve stepped away from donor-driven models and restructured COSA-OASIS as a self-funded initiative. This decision was not made lightly. It reflects a commitment to ethical storytelling, direct accountability, and a refusal to commodify trauma for fundraising. Our work continues—quietly, carefully, and in collaboration with local authorities and communities.
I understand that trust must be earned, not reclaimed by words alone. That’s why COSA-OASIS is now guided by three principles:
- Transparency
- Dignity
- Justice
To those who supported COSA in the past, I offer my deepest gratitude—and my sincere apology. To those watching now, I invite you to hold me accountable, ask hard questions, and engage with the work as partners in truth.
This is not a relaunch. It’s a reckoning, a restoration, and a renewed vow to serve with integrity.
Mickey Choothesa
Founder, COSA-OASIS