780 reasons why Daughters of Cambodia deserves your attention
Last month I published a book, ‘Ryan is Ready For You Now…’ which deconstructs the process of interviewing a celebrity. It’s also a memoir of my career in journalism and is told through my many encounters with the rich and famous.
But for me the one person who stands head and shoulders above them all is the woman linked to the charity I mention on the last page of my book. I’m talking about the page where I ask for donations to Daughters of Cambodia, a non-profit, founded in 2007, that works to change lives for victims of human trafficking.
That woman is Ruth Elliott and because so many people have asked me why I included Daughters, I thought I’d give you 780 reasons.
Let’s rewind for a moment. Ruth and I met in 1990 so we have a wonderful 30 year history. We met at a point in our lives when we both needed each other. She helped me through a very difficult time and I was able to support her through her own dark chapter. Our friendship has endured even though we have mostly lived on different continents ever since. She has always been an inspiration and what she has achieved with Daughters is nothing short of miraculous. She gives the victims of sex-trafficking a safe haven and a way out — and she needs all the help she can get.
So while I regale my readers and aspiring journalists about my showbiz life, for me Ruth Elliott, the founder of Daughters of Cambodia, is the real star. Naturally, I did what I’ve been doing all my life. I interviewed her…
Ruthie, tell me why you founded Daughters of Cambodia?
Ruth: I travelled around Asia in my late teens and saw young girls in cages lining the streets of red light areas. I decided there and then to do something with my life that addressed the injustice of the exploitation of the vulnerable. I trained as a psychologist and then headed back to Asia. What bothers me is that sex-exploitation in developing countries is about those with financial power preying upon those who lack financial means. They exploit the latter for their own satisfaction. The victim pays for this with her mental and physical health, and also with the erosion of her life to the point of no recovery, no hope and no identity.
What is the mission of the Daughters?
Ruth: I give sex workers options for a different job and a higher quality of life free of exploitation. I go into sex-selling establishments and ask them whether they’re looking for a route out. Many are. I started fair trade businesses to give them alternative jobs and created programmes to help them recover psychologically, socially, physically and financially. I give them a voice and a choice, so that they can live free of exploitation. To date, Daughters has empowered 780 girls to leave sex work.
Why is sex-trafficking such a huge problem in developing countries?
Ruth: The problem is that there’s a cycle happening in which people, especially women and children, are trapped in poverty and have no job opportunities because they have no education or skills. Or, they are in the wrong place at the wrong time and tricked by someone they trust and sold without it being their choice. Whatever the reason, after that they can’t find a way out.
You don’t only give these girls a safe haven, you also employ them. Tell me about that.
Ruth: Some of the businesses in which we employ them are production workshops. The beautiful products they make are on show here: www.daughtersstore.com.
We need distributors who will buy in bulk as retail buying involves prohibitive Cambodian shipping costs. You might know someone with a shop, online shop, a buyer for a large store. Please tell your contacts about us, or consider being a distributor yourself. marketing@daughtersofcambodia.org
We also need sponsors to sponsor a portion of the girls’ salaries and services they receive, such as medical treatment and counselling, so please also consider sponsoring a girl. sponsor@daughtersofcambodia.org
And think about who you know. Maybe you know of an individual or trust fund that might consider donating to our charity or offer to promote us on their platforms? We’d love to hear from them.
What are you goals for Daughters of Cambodia?
Ruth: Currently the charity is only in Cambodia but my mission is to launch in multiple countries where sex-exploitation is ruining people’s lives, because it’s a model that is extremely effective. This is because we offer jobs and capacity-building programmes rather than shelter-based living. Ultimately it’s empowering. It respects the individual’s choice and cultural/social context and it provides transferable skills. The model is adaptable to multiple nations so I’d like to expand Daughters to Indonesia & the Philippines initially and then to more countries.
Website: www.daughtersofcambodia.org
