“You must come and work on the family farm!” Sally’s aunt demanded. She respectfully refused, reminding her aunt that she wouldn’t be able to graduate the following year, ending her hopes of going on to university. Unrelenting, her aunt shifted her strategy by shaming her niece into compliance. Sally gave in.
What else could she do? She knew the rural members of her family, like her, lived in poverty. They barely survived on what they could grow. Driven by guilt, she accompanied her aunt to the farm, leaving Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s capitol city—and her education—behind.
Sally was heartbroken, her hopes dashed.
After settling in, Sally’s aunt explained that she would be assigned to planting, but with seed purchased with her own money! Sally had none, and her aunt knew it, so she advised her to work at a nearby KTV to earn enough money (KTVs, or karaoke bars, are sleazy entertainment establishments known throughout Southeast Asia as places where prostitutes can be hired, a form of human trafficking that takes advantage of those with little education and few job skills). Once again, Sally felt trapped…so she gave in to her aunt’s wishes.
Soon she began to feel sick from drinking a lot of beer each night (expected of all the girls who serve drinks at KTVs), and the humiliation and shame that came from also being expected to have sex with patrons.
By this time her aunt’s deceitful plan was plain to see (turned out the aunt even got paid for Sally to work at the KTV). Sally looked for a way to escape.
God had not forgotten Sally, and a way was openned for her to return to Phnom Penh. We were delighted and relieved to hear she had escaped!
Her hope rekindled, Sally asked if she could return to school, more determined than ever to finish school and go on to study at the university. Thanks to her sponsor, who faithfully continued to support her education, she is happily back in school.
Sally’s story helps to show just how vulnerable many children in Cambodia are today. Trapped in the cycle of poverty, many face daily threats of deception or coercion that can lead to a pit of exploitation. That’s why we continually teach kids and their families that every person has value because we are made in God’s image. Thank you for helping to give Sally hope for the future!
Click here to help protect another child or teen that’s highly at risk of being trafficked.
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