Daughters

I had mentioned in a previous post that one of the joys I have had these last couple of months is meeting others who are serving here. Usually, I meet people through friends or friends of friends. There have been times when I have been in a group of people from 5 different nations. That's just amazing!

One person I met is named Ruth who runs an organization called Daughters of Cambodia that helps victims of trafficking who are trying to get out of the sex industry. (Check out their website.) Human trafficking is a huge problem here in Cambodia, and really in all of Southeast Asia. Women and young girls are sold to traffickers or brothels...many times by relatives or people they know.

The precise scale of Cambodia's sex trade is difficult to quantify. International organizations -- such as UNICEF, ECPAT and Save the Children -- say that anywhere from from 50,000 to 100,000 women and children are involved. An estimated 30 percent of the sex workers in Phnom Penh are under the age of 18, according to the United Nations. The actual figure may be much higher, activists say. (from a 2008 article on cnn.com)

The stories I have heard are devastating. Since coming here for the first time in 2005, my heart has been broken for these women and girls. I knew that I wanted to do something to help, but I just wasn't sure how.

And then a couple of months ago, I met Ruth. I went to visit the shelter and got to see for myself the wonderful work that they are doing to help the women in that community. All of the girls there have voluntarily left the industry seeking a better life. They are given a job and a salary and are taught a trade. Along with that, they have the opportunity to seek medical and counseling help and can attend workshops that offer information on life skills. There is also a weekly church service that they can voluntarily attend...and most of them do.

Currently, I am volunteering a few hours a week helping Ruth with administrative tasks. I'm also hoping at some point to offer a workshop or two. I feel privileged to be helping in whatever small way I can.

It also continues to remind me of how thankful I am that our girls are safe at the orphanage where they are loved and cared for. They could very easily have been one of the girls I met at the shelter. So glad that they are not. And yet so heartbroken for the many who are still trapped. Please pray for them all.