Su Su is finding her own dream

Lundi 14 janvier 2013 - 08:00

At the age of 18, Su Su* has lived many different lives. She's been a housekeeper, waitress, beer girl and karoake girl.

Su Su has been forced to forego her childhood to help her mother pay off a debt and financially support her four younger siblings. While she's worked for most of her life, the money has never been enough.

Life before year 2007

"Since I was 12 years old, I transplanted rice in other people’s rice fields, climbed up coconut trees and bought and sold coconuts. I washed dishes at a street restaurant for 100,000 riel [25 US dollars] per month.

“When I was old enough to earn money for her, my mother brought me back. 

Year 2007 - Working as a housekeeper

“I worked as housekeeper when I was 13 years old. The husband of the house owner was mischievous.

"When no one was at home, except his mother who has paralysis, he raped me. I used to think of suing the man, but I needed to forget about this because he was very rich and powerful. I stopped working for that family a month later.

“After quitting a job as housekeeper, my mother did not allow me to enter the house. I went to Siem Reap town to stay with my friends.

Year 2008

“Staying with my friends, I had neither a job nor money because no one accepted me to work since I looked too small. 

“One of my friends introduced me to a man who looked Chinese to sleep with. I hesitated because I was scared of getting hurt. And I said to my friend “NO”. 

“On the next day, I visited home to ask for some money from my older brother. I saw my father lying on bed with severe injury on his back. He got hit with an old bomb when he set leaves on fire to get ashes to make fertiliser. My younger siblings came back from school and had no food to eat. I felt so much pity for them.

“I came back to meet my friend and told her that I agreed to sleep with the man in exchange for 50 US dollars. On the next day, I immediately returned back home with that money and gave it to my parents and siblings.

Year 2008 and 2011 - Working in entertainment industry

“After that, I found a job as a waitress in a restaurant.  Next, I worked as a beer girl. I could not have enough food to eat, because the salary was only 50 US dollars. I needed to spend that for my own food, shelter, dress and to send some to my parents. 

“After being a beer girl, I worked as karaoke girl. I was able to earn 300 to 400 US dollars. My salary was only 110 US per month and when I slept with guests I got some extra money.

“I spent around 100 US a month for my clothes, shoes, food and shelter and motor dup (motor taxi). I sent the rest of the money home. 

Recalling the experience, tears drop from Su Su's eyes.

“I smelled and was bloody. 

“When I slept with guests, I was not afraid of STDs because I did not know anything about them. I am only worried about pregnancy. 

March 2011 – WORLD vISION'S rESCUE

“One day, policemen raided my workplace and I was brought to World Hope Organization. When I was in World Hope, I was brought to hospital to have a blood check.

"I was hopeless, I thought that I surely have HIV. A doctor explained to me what the result looked like. My tears dropped on the result sheet and it showed blue, it showed that I am HIV negative.

“At first entering the centre, I didn’t want to stay. But the love and care of World Hope and World Vision’s staff changed my mind. Now I feel confident, unlike before when I felt embarrassed and did not to talk to other people.

Year 2012 - A PLAN FOR LIFE

“I am able to cut hair, make hair, do nails and a foot massage. I have learnt this skill over a year.

“I have plans for my life. First, I will save money. I want to run my own business, having a beauty salon. I will teach my older sisters to have a permanent job. And, if possible, I want to help other trafficking survivors who really want to learn this skill and be able to earn money from this.

In addition to supporting Su Su, World Vision also supported her family with their basic needs such as rice, fish source, soya source, noodles, mosquito-nets and pillows. World Vision built a toilet for the family.

“World Vision will build a proper house for her family and provide some funds for the parents to have a business for a sustainable life,” says Solavy Thaknin, project coordinator for reintegration project of World Vision Cambodia.

* Su Su is not her real name.