Meet Pheap: A Strong Survivor and Voice for Change

Each year, more than two million women and children are sold into sex slavery. Pheap was one of them, until she was rescued in Cambodia.

Pheap now lives in an AFESIP shelter, where she part of Voices for Change. She uses her experience to raise awareness and create change. Pheaplikes that she can help the other victims because she was once in their position. She knows about the problems that exist and wants to help solve them.

Pheap's favorite foods are dried food and barbecue. She loves romantic music especially songs that involve children and mothers. Pheap loves to read and enjoys studying every subject. She is currently studying Khmer and English and is getting much better at the two. In addition to her work with Voices for Change, Pheap is interning with the AFESIP Outreach/HIV Prevention team.

"When I'm here, I feel warm inside," Pheap said of living in the Voices for Change house.

There are many other women and children like Pheap who need our help. Some are in the shelters, lucky enough to have been rescued but needing a proper education, job skills training and rehabilitation. Others have yet to be rescued and remain enslaved.

To learn how you can help Pheap and others in similar situations, please visit www.somaly.org today.

Voices for Change and Shay Mitchell: Slavery is Real, I Know It

Actress Shay Mitchell introduces Voices For Change, strong and empowered survivors of sexual slavery from Cambodia. These women have seen firsthand the horrors of human trafficking, and now they work every day to eradicate this evil.

Voices For Change is a platform for survivors to use their voice, tell their story, and raise awareness of sex slavery. Their voices are heard in courts of law, public service announcements, and events. These women are survivors - they are not weak, nor are they helpless. They are helping themselves by helping others and bringing awareness to this horrific truth. Slavery is real.

Success Success: Reunited and Reintegrated

Earlier I mentioned that Charlotte is currently visiting with the Voices for Change leaders. While visiting, Charlotte witnessed the most inspirational event.

Two sisters who were raised separately and both were trafficked then rescued by AFESIP. They were reunited at one of the centers. One of the girls has gone through the programs and has been successfully reintegrated. She now has a loving husband, an adorable daughter, and a successful grocery and sewing business. She also makes sugar cane for the dry season.

The Somaly Mam Foundation gave clothes to the child and the Voices for Change leaders shared their love as they are all old friends. Everyone involved in SMF and Project Futures, Somaly, employees, volunteers and supporters have helped towards this amazing event. It is success stories like this that we hope continue to happen as more girls get reintegrated. Charlotte said it has been an "inspirational reintegration visit!"

Visiting Voices for Change

Charlotte, SMF's Director of Anti-Trafficking Programs, is currently visiting with members of Voices for Change. These empowered survivors share their stories and have their voices heard in courts of law and public perception and have influence and impact on effecting positive change in Cambodian society. They are helping themselves by helping others. To learn more about the program and other SMF initiative, visit their website here.