It’s men. It’s women. It’s children. Approximately one million humans are trafficked every year, and thousands of them were born in Cambodia.
It was a three hour drive to the border from Bangkok, and although only minutes from Thai soil, crossing the border took me into another world. Endless dirt roads - They were first thing I noticed. Kids carrying babies - Second thing. Sketchy, everything - Final observation before declaring Poipet an unhealthy environment for any person to live.
Men are trafficked into forced labor, while women and children are trafficked for sexual exploitation or forced into organized begging rings, soliciting, and street selling. This was how the street beggar I recently wrote of came to be. It’s horrifying and it’s rampant.
It was the only light I could see in this new world of darkness. The Cambodian Hope Organization, or CHO as it’s affectionately called, came to life when Chomno In pledged all he had to the people of his country. It was God. It was his vision. It was his calling.
In only seven years, CHO and its OUTSTANDING staff have transformed thousands of lives with a passion for more. Among the laundry list of mind-blowing projects CHO coordinates, schooling opportunities are provided for children with no means of otherwise receiving education. The organization is also in the process of building a mega “safe haven” that will function as everything imaginable for women and children who have returned from being trafficked or are currently at risk.
This team is 100 percent offering the gift of hope through love, and I was so blessed to witness God’s mark on it all. THANK YOU for an unforgettable experience!
I attempted to find the beauty of the situation. Here are some shots from my trip to Poipet, Cambodia.
Dirt roads, everywhere.
Workers pulling their goods to the border.
“SCHOOL ON A MAT”! That’s literally what it’s called. CHO set up 25 mats throughout the town where child workers could come and learn basic reading and writing skills. They’re also educated on trafficking and other relevant issues.
CHO sets up vocational training for men and women to create better lives for themselves.
There were so many children taking care of children…
I needed proof! Little did I know I’d have the opportunity to jump in and help in the construction of CHO’s safe haven. The project is amazing, so how could I not help?! I’m a skinny beast! Legit!
Looking forward to returning next year and seeing more of the country… there’s a lot of hidden natural beauty there.
I’m heading to Malaysia Tuesday (!) before working my way back to the south of Thailand for a family camp. Love*
PS – Bangkok has been declared in an official state of emergency. Please keep the situation in prayer.
Tags: AIDS relief., Bangkok, Gina Meola Photography, Missionary work, Missions, Siam-Care, Thailand
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