Forced into sexual slavery by poverty

Fifteen-year-old Mao spent most of her childhood in Cambodia living in dire poverty, a poverty that forced her to do things that still haunt her.

A tragic sleepover

"I went to spend the night at a friend’s house,” recalls Mao, “My friend's mother asked the girls staying there if anybody wanted to sell pomme,”— a Cambodian reference to virginity. 

Mao thought about her family’s financial hardships. About how they had lived in temporary shelters without walls, how they were constantly threatened by their debtors, and how she was forced to drop out of school in grade two, because her parents couldn’t afford it.

She had her answer. The next day, Mao met two women on the outskirts of Phnom Penh. With her face covered, so she wouldn’t be recognized, Mao was taken to a hotel and sold to a man.

And with that encounter, Mao was robbed of her childhood and her dignity. The price? $200.

She sent the money home to her family. But dared not tell them how she earned it.

Trapped and exploited

Poverty, like the kind in Mao’s family, is common. This extreme destitution can lead to an increase in children in the workforce — as struggling families’ find a way out of poverty.

For Mao, "work" was selling her body repeatedly. Several days after incident one, and still in pain from it, she accepted another offer.

For all the shame she felt, she couldn’t see any other option.

Mao's final client happened to be a man who was being investigated by the Cambodian Department of Anti-human Trafficking and Minor Protection. This investigation led to Mao's rescue from the perpetrator.

Mao was recommended to World Vision's Trauma Recovery Centre to treat her physical, emotional, and psychological injuries.

A new dawn

Several months later, Mao has received counselling, as well as training in health issues, life skills  and languages at the centre. She has also discovered a newfound love for weaving.

She is just about to start weaving a traditional Cambodian Krama, a type of scarf, which she’ll then sell.

This young woman, who spent much of her childhood hiding her shame, vows to not let her past control her future and to share her message to help others if she can.

"I will share my difficult experience with friends who are living in poverty, and I will convince them not to trade themselves, because if they fall into sexual slavery, they will be hurt and will regret it for their entire lives."

Mao was fortunate to get out. Others are not.

How You Can Help

• Sponsor a girl in need: Sponsorship makes a long-term investment in the life of a girl, her family, and her community, providing greater access to life-giving basics like nutritious food, clean water, medical care, and education -- the foundation for a future of independence and hope.
• Join World Vision at one of our Girl Rising events: Our Girl Rising events help raise awareness of the importance of investing in the lives of girls around the world. Girl Rising is the critically acclaimed movie that is spearheading a global campaign fighting for the right of all girls to an education. It features the stories of 4 girls from 4 countries and is narrated by a number of award winning stars including Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, and Cate Blanchett.
Look out for an event in your county soon. For more information on scheduled events please call 01 498 0800.Join World Vision at one of our Girl Rising events: Our Girl Rising events help raise awareness of the importance of investing in the lives of girls around the world.
• Share our VISION: Be a part of our Girl Rising campaign and share this message with the world. Use Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Google+ and Pinterest to spread the word. Let’s educate the world by educating girls.

Raise your voice and let others know how important it is to educate and invest in the lives of girls.

(Source: http://www.worldvision.ca)

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