Hope in Cambodia

Cambodia is a source, transit, and destination country for human trafficking. The traffickers are reportedly organized crime syndicates, parents, relatives, friends, intimate partners, and neighbors. Cambodian men, women, and children are trafficked for sexual and labor exploitation in Thailand, Malaysia, Macao, and Taiwan. Men are trafficked for forced labor in the agriculture, fishing, and construction industries. Women are trafficked for sexual exploitation and forced labor in factories or as domestic servants. Children are trafficked for sexual exploitation and forced labor in organized begging rings, soliciting, street vending, and flower selling. Cambodia is a destination country for women and children who are trafficked from Vietnam and China for sexual exploitation. Common destinations for trafficking victims are Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Sihanouk Ville. A 2005 report estimated that 2,000 victims in Cambodia have been trafficked into sexual exploitation, approximately 80 percent of whom were Vietnamese women and girls. One report suggests that as many as one third of the trafficking victims in prostitution in Cambodia are children.

Hagar International is an organization that was started in Cambodia and serves as a means of rescue (among other things) for trafficked individuals. Their work is truly amazing as they walk the journey with girls who have been rescued from the human trafficking industry in Cambodia. Be the Change found this organization through the Not For Sale Campaign and we have worked with Hagar over the past year.

They are passionate about (and very good at) walking with women and children out of the darkest of places and beyond just hope to experience life in all its fullness. They are not a prevention organization. They do little advocacy. They do not do community development. Rather they take referrals from NGO’s (International Justice Mission, CARE, World Vision), human rights groups and government authorities that are considered “too hard” or “unrecoverable.” They say “yes” when others say “no” and begin their walk-a-thon through court cases, therapy, surgery, trips to the beach, accelerated education, malnutrition, birthday parties, music lessons, exams, suicide attempts, family reunions, nightmares, new clothes, etc. They take the girls that no one else wants, or can handle because of their trauma. They keep the children who scream and cry and try to run away. They keep the children who sit and shake in silence, because, sometimes, there just are not words or cries to explain what they have suffered. They keep the ones who hit, kick, and attack because they want no parts of a safe adult who is attempting to show them any affection. They even keep the children who light fires in their room. They keep the little girls who slit their wrists, because that pain is easier to bear than the deep hurt they are carrying inside. They do it because they know and they get it. They know this is not who that child is. They know this is simply a reflection of what others have done to their little bodies. They help the victims rediscover being a child and help them begin to grow up into resilient adults. Hagar will always do what it takes to provide the best quality recovery and absolute privacy and dignity.

We've been honored to work with Hagar and have provided funds to support their Enterprise program. Hagar has small businesses that it owns and runs. These businesses provide these girls with training so that they can learn to support themselves in a dignified way. It allows them to take what they are passionate about and turn it into a living. In December Diane, Cheryl and Kara were honored to meet with Talmage Payne and Jane Tafel from Hagar. We were able to discuss our role as partners and hear more about their work and the stories of some of the girls at Hagar.

A few years ago Dateline NBC's Chris Hansen did a special report from Cambodia on the brothels there. Raids on some of the brothels were filmed. Some of the girls that were rescued in those raids a few years ago now reside at Hagar. Last year Chris Hansen returned to Cambodia to follow up on some of the girls that were part of the rescues he witnessed. In some past update letters we told you that Dateline NBC was doing a follow up with some of the girls at Hagar. Unfortunately Hagar was not notified as to when the special would air. NBC has posted a segment that includes Hagar footage on their website. The eight minute clip first highlights another organization in Cambodia, and the last half includes the story of Hagar's four girls, and their recovery. Entitled "New Hope for Rescued Girls" the piece includes interviews with Talmage Payne, Hagar Cambodia CEO, and Sue Taylor, Senior Manager of Hagar Children's Programs. As you will see, it is a story of hope and resilience. The willingness of these girls to share their stories is beyond admirable. We are so inspired by their courage.

Get out tissues first :) and then click on this link to be inspired:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/25841009#25856057

If you are unable to follow the link, simply cut and paste it into your browser. It is definitely worth watching!