A group of 12 sewing resident trainees from Tomdy Center, led by Ms Mom Sophana, Training Program Manager on 9 May, 2011 conducted a study tour to a Phnom Penh well-known seamstress Vuoch Hang Shop in order to show them what theory and practice are combined following the theories learnt from the center.

The tour provided residents with opportunity to observe what is new, the difference between what they learn from the center, ask questions relevant to the methodologies and strategies to manage a successful business. The shop owner explained how her business has so far been improved and why old and more clients keep coming to the shop. It is based on various factors such as making good public relations with the clients, well decorated the shop, clean environment and well managed the revenues and expenses.

It is noted that last year, the training program took a group of residents for a similar study tour to visit a LY LY Food Industry in Phnom Penh to see how their business was operated. Such a visit helped them increase their understanding, business knowledge how to manage it successfully.

US ambassador to Cambodia, Ms Carol Rodley paid a visit to Kompong Cham Center on 22 April 2011. Welcoming her at the center were Somaly Mam, president of AFESIP and SMF, Sao Chhoeurth, Executive Director & CEO and Kheng Sochenda, Kompong Cham Cham Center manager, Sina Vann, the leader of voices for change, children residents and other staff.

The resident leaders led the guests to visit the various rooms of our 3-floor building dedicated to restoring of child survivors of human trafficking, rape and domestic violence. Constructed in 2010, this new building includes medical and psychological treatment rooms; a library, computer and English training facilities and weaving rooms for the benefit of the girls of the center.

Ms Rodley has previously visited AFESIP Siem Reap center and Tomdy Centers, and she told us that she simply couldn’t miss out on coming to see us all at Kompong Cham on this visit.  This warm expression really touched our children’s hearts.

The Ambassador told us that she was so happy to be able to ask questions of the girls and heard what high expectations they have for their futures. as they all want to become lawyers,  medical doctors, journalists or English teachers ... she wished then all the best for and expressed her hope  that they will come true.

Chhoeurth then took the Ambassador to view the center grounds, in particular the construction of the new cottage which we are building in the middle of a pond. This cottage will provide a comfortable space for the girls and children to relax during their spare time when they are not at school, and will also be used for personal psychological counseling. Beyond the pond, we showed Ms Rodley a vast plot of land, recently filled with soil, ready for agricultural schemes.

After a one hour-tour of our various rooms and surroundings, AFESIP Kompong Cham Center honored the guests with a dance performed by our young resident dancers. The children wanted to show their appreciation to the Ambassador as they are deeply touched by her kind heart, and the warmth and love she expressed. She always takes interests in their well-being.

Sitting among the residents, Ms Rodley allowed them to sit closer, ask questions and share stories. Our elder girls told her their personal stories which she said inspired her very much. The only request of the Ambassador was to continue to show such warmth and kindness as proved by her visit and Ms Rodley promised to return in the future.

Finally the US ambassador had the opportunity to sit with Ms Somaly during the children’s  lunch session, and exchanged views and ideas on planned activities to support the children in the future.

Although we now have our wonderful new building, some of the rooms are not yet fully furnished and training programs are still under development due to a shortage of qualified staff and human resources. AFESIP is currently attempting to raise more funds in order to upgrade the rooms and improve the quality of the training, and the Ambassador has kindly offered her support  to help us find a native English teacher to improve the quality of English training offered to both residents and children from the village.

A large staff meeting was held at AFESIP main office on Friday 1 April 2011 to congratulate 13 senior staff who have worked for AFESIP cause since its establishment in 1996. AFESIP invited management staff from Phnom Penh Tomdy, Kompong Cham and Siem Reap centers, SMF Foundation, the team of SMF Voices for Change to participate. The meeting was chaired by Somaly Mam, founder and president of AFESIP Cambodia and Somaly Mam Foundation.

This irregular meeting was focused on expressing sympathy, gratitude to some 13 senior staff who have joined AFESIP activities since AFESIP founding in 1996.  

The 13 senior staff were awarded with certificates of Merit by Somaly Mam. Somaly recalled the past 15 years’ AFESIP history when her staff have sacrificed their life’s time for the safety of the victims of human trafficking for sex slavery, working voluntarily with very high commitment. Even working without salary, however they were happy for their humanitarian action to save girls, victims of sex slavery. The start was done with empty handed. It was grown from heart and love, no one in the team could prevent from fighting human trafficking as Somaly was shocked at seeing their suffering, and want to end up with such a crime as she used to overcome her past bitter experience as the victim of sex slavery.  

The merited staff, awarded with a certificate and a tiny bunch of beautiful flowers, were given time to personal expression. They came to the floor, holding microphone, stood still for a little while, as they could not express because of their high emotion. They were moved to tears as they did not imagine what was happening to them so solemnly. Ms Touch Samol, non formal educator at Tomdy center who worked since 1998 said : “ I am very grateful to you, Somaly for making me live a good life, with a better salary.” Mr. Uong Chheng, health program manager and chairman of executive board who also started his work in 1998, with tears in his eyes said : “ I am very much surprised at your decision about thinking back to the staff who have longest years worked with AFESIP. It is the first time ever conducted for AFESIP staff. I admire your wisdom and I cannot express how much I thank you ”.

The 13 senior staff are :

1)    Ms Pen Navy, Senior Cook at Tomdy Center,
2)    Ms Mom Sophana, Training Program Manager, Secretary of Executive Board
3)    Ms. Kheng Sochenda, Kompong Cham Center Manager;
4)    Ms Soeung Kamaryan, Legal Program Manager;
5)    Ms. Touch Samol, Non formal Education Trainer at Tomdy Center;
6)    Ms Ly Chenla, Cahier at  AFESIP Main Office;
7)    Ms. Pheak Davy, Administrator at Admin HR & Communication Department;
8)    Mr. Sao Chhoeurth, Executive Director & CEO, Member of Executive Board
9)    Mr. Uong Chheng, Health Program Manager and Chairman of Executive Board
10)    Mr. Mam Khon, Tomdy Center Manager and vice-chairman of Executive Board
11)    Mr. Nong Chhunny, Admin/Finance at Kompong Cham Center;
12)    Mr. Un Proeung, Investigation Program Manager;
13)    Mr. Than Non, Senior Security Guard at Siem Reap Center

To express their profound gratitude to Somaly Mam, AFESIP and SMF Staff have shared their money to organize her birthday in the evening of Friday, 1 April 2011 at AFESIP office in Phnom Penh. Participated in the event were Ms Kheng Sochenda, Mr. Ly Monirath, and Mr. Mam Khon, consecutively managers of Kompong Cham, Siem Reap and Phnom Penh Tomdy centers; AFESIP and SMF Foundation staff, the team of SMF Voices for Change, foreign volunteers, pop singers Ok Sokun Kanha, Chhorn Soareach, well known traditional singer, Ieng Sithul, her children, siblings and some of Somaly’s friends.

We AFESIP staff are very proud and overjoyed at having a Cambodian great lady who is brave, facing personal danger, sacrificing for the benefit of others, especially victims of human trafficking for modern sex slavery.

It was also a special occasion for Somaly to meet all her beloved staff, saying hello to everybody with her glass of red wine, holding friendly chats from table to table, sharing laugh and smile. Somaly scarcely stays home for she spends most of the days abroad, looking for fund to support the victims of human trafficking for sex slavery. All the staff wish her success in her charity mission.