Stories
Long Journey Back
Eang was only 6 years old when her mother sold her into prostitution to make extra money for the family. Eang’s father had already died of AIDS, leaving Eang’s mother to provide for the children and elderly grandmother alone. Her meager income from a clothes-washing business was simply not enough, so she turned to the one job she knew would provide quick money.
A foreign customer paid Eang’s mother a high price for Eang’s virginity. That was the beginning of Eang’s nightmare — rape became an almost daily occurrence. Some days she would see two or three men; other days none at all. Eang brought a lot of money into her family because men would pay her mother a high price for someone so young.
Eang never questioned her mother or refused her requests. She believed she was working to help her family. Between customers she would return home and pretend that life was normal, occasionally attending school and playing with other children.
Eang’s nightmare continued for five long years. It ended the night that Cambodian police, after investigating and watching a foreigner at his guesthouse, rescued Eang and brought her to Hagar’s Aftercare program.
There, with plenty of food, schooling and friends to play with, Eang began the long journey toward healing. She met other girls with similar stories and learned that what she had endured was not a necessary way of life. Eang was surprised to discover that her Vietnamese counselor listened to her story and responded with empathy.
Eang’s path to healing is a long one. She still feels guilt that she is not helping her family, and she frequently shifts from a cheerful and confident girl to an angry and anxious one. Her counselors, however, continue to encourage her by helping her tell her story, heal from the trauma and build hopes for a future with new opportunities.
