Hello,

The other day day, we found out that a young girl that was missing from the centre started working for a karaoke bar (often a cover for a brothel). A friend of mine from the centre was able to find out where she was working. He took his motorbike down some country roads and brought her back to the centre. To get her out of the brothel, the Madam or pink has to be paid to clear the debts that the girl may accumulate.

The reality in Cambodia is very sad for the many young people. Most people I have met have no or little education. Even with an education, there are few jobs here expect if you work in the tourist industry. Those jobs often go to the people that had a good school and can speak English fluently. Those jobs are often given to people that have connections. Anyway, there are not many other options for employment here. Even if they find jobs, they often get paid less than $40 a month. I know some girls from a massage place that work from 10am to 12 midnight and get paid $40 a month.

Girls often have little options. Many of the young people I have met are the only money earners in their family. They often support their parents, grandparents and siblings that all live together in small shacks. Often, the girls leave home and work in brothels when there a few other choices for survival. They go somewhere away from their homeland and send the money back home to their families. The families know what is happening, but often just need the money and no one talks about it.

Brothel owners attract young girls by offering them a place to stay and food. They also offer to give them money right away as a loan. The loan is then paid back to the owner as the girl works off her debt. Often, the Madam or Pimp charge $30 to $50 from each man. The girls often only get paid about $10 to $15 per man. Many of the girls take on a few hundred dollars of debt at least. If you do the math, it takes lots of men to pay back that loan along with everything else. Many girls pawn their few possessions for more cash. AIDS is a big health hazard here in Cambodia. Many of the young girls taken in brothels end up with AIDS and live a short life.

My friend from our project went to the karaoke club and paid off this girl’s debt to the owner. She was taken back to the shelter for a place to stay, food, education and counselling. The next thing I hear is that there is an incident at the shelter. This girl’s “boyfriend” or “pimp”shows up at the shelter to get her back. He says she owes them money, although the debt was paid. There is no backup system here as the police often can’t be trusted and are corrupt. ‘Many organizations here that rescue girls from the brothels have armed guards at their doors. this is to protect the girls from the brothel owners that may come with guns to force them back to the trade.

It’s great that all these organizations are trying to save these girls from these places. The sad reality is that without future opportunities for them, most will just end up going back to the trade. After all, where else can they make that kind of money without an education in a country that is full of corruption. And besides, someone has to take care of their family. Can you blame them? It’s a sad reality for many here.

This girl, that was taken out of the karaoke club was 17 years old. What a shame for this precious life. Thank you to the good people that give their lives to give some hope to others.

Love Gerry