Faces

We awake our first morning in Phnom Penh, Cambodia and take a walk to the tourist’s district just up the street from our hotel. We see a number of bars, restaurants, coffee shops, hair salons and brothels. I’ve been told Cambodia is a sex trade destination, and in only short time I see a 60 year old white guy walking with a young lady from Cambodia, we are uncertain if she is Cambodian or Vietnamese.

We meet with our ministry partner who explains more of the situation. There is an estimates 2 million Vietnamese living on the waterways and Mekong River from Siem Reap down through the Phnom Penh on floating houses. Clusters of boats form small communities, a floating school, a floating temple, a floating church here and there.

Poverty in these Vietnamese communities is so bad that parents sell their children into the sex industry. They are sold like a commodity - for their virginity (around $300) and then again later into a brothel (an additional $300). He then tells us that 70% of the girls in these Vietnamese communities will be sold into the sex industry.

70%?

I was stunned. Absolutely staggering, despicable, horrific. Over the course of the day I would see more white men with young women, now obvious why they were together. At dinner, at a "respectable" restaurant, we were offered a girl along with an after dinner drink. It is everywhere, it is repulsive.

The next morning we travel to see the river community, to visit a floating school. We are greeted by smiling, laughing, lovable children - many are girls. They are beautiful. They are innocent. Many will be sold, likely 70% of them.

I am heartbroken. I look back at their pictures, which will be sold? These aren’t statistics, these are children, and some will be sold. They will be raped. They will become property. It is horrible.

We are determined to get involved at the prevention stage, to be a part of saving children before they are sold. Education and skills training are key. The goal is to help children become valuable to their families, to help a child be in position to earn money rather than be sold for it. We formed a good partnership and the process has begun to identify churches to start vocational training programs on church property - sewing classes, beauty salon training, leatherworking, etc. I am hopeful the process will move forward quickly.

In the meantime, please look at the faces below. These are some of the children who need help. They need the church. They need our prayers. Please help me pray for them.

 

 

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Comments

[Debbie]

Sharing your heartache. I'm especially excited about your work here. Beautiful, precious little girls.