Sumahlee's story
Sumahlee’s father was heavily into drug trafficking. He was making good money and he left Sumahlee’s mother and had another family. The power of having money went to his head and one day he went to the village and demanded that the headman remove Sumahlee and her mother from the village and organise for a new house to be built for him and his new wife. Many people were not happy with his demands so they had a meeting in the village to decide what they could do to stop the problem. The next morning Sumahlee’s father went into the village and shot the headman and two of the village people. Some of the villagers went into the jungle where Sumahlee’s father had hidden his motorbike and detached the lead from the battery. When Sumahlee’s father came to try and start his motorbike the villagers shot him to death.
Sumahlee was then left with no father and a mother who could barely earn enough to feed them both.
Sumahlee came to the 'Destiny Rescue Child Prostitution Prevention' program in May 2005. She attended a girl's TAFE and learnt hairdressing and makeup skills. She also went to adult school on Saturday's to try and finish her primary education. Sumahlee graduated from her hairdressing and makeup course and is presently employed fulltime as a hairdresser.
Rattana’s Story
When we first met Rattana she was working in the field, with no hope of a future outside of young marriage and village life barely making ends meet. Rattana is the oldest in her family and did most of the housework, worked in the field and tended to the water buffaloes. Her father worked away for long periods of time and her mother worked in the fields and tended to the water buffaloes. The family used to have farm land close to their home but the government had repossessed it, forcing the father to go away to work. They could only grow small amounts of crops in the jungle but with little education their crops did not produce well.
These reasons have forced many of the people to leave and go to the city to find work. Young girls often wash dishes for very low wages and menial tasks as they have little or no education or skills. After a while, working for very low wages and not being treated fairly, the girls look for other ways of making more money. The prospect of prostitution is commonly seen as a good way to increase their income, thus allowing the girls to send money back to their families.
Rattana came to the 'Destiny Rescue Child Prostitution Prevention' program in May 2005. She attended a girl’s TAFE and learnt seamstress skills. She also went to adult school on Saturdays to try to finish her primary education. Rattana graduated from her seamstress course and is currently employed fulltime as a seamstress.
Both Sumahlee and Rattana are now able to send some money back to their families in the village, as well as supporting themselves, they are both very happy.
Although the problem is huge, we can change the world one child at a time! WE CAN help these kids, WE CAN prevent it from happening. YOU CAN play a vital role by making a donation or volunteering your time.
