Sak Saum: Dignity
Offering Rescue, Rehabilitation and Restoration to Vulnerable and Exploited Women
Imagine a little girl growing up in the lush rice fields of rural Cambodia. She falls prey to sexual abuse. Considered ruined by her family, she is sold into prostitution and virtually guaranteed a life of abuse and despair. Her existence seems without hope, yet miraculously, something flickers in her heart. She is desperate for love and a new way.
This is just one of many ways that a Cambodian girl can fall prey to trafficking. No story is exactly the same as another's. Sadly, though, the fruit is often identical: brokenness, hopelessness, low self-worth, shame, deep wounding and life-quenching despair.
Sak Saum offers help to the abused, the underprivileged, the desperate -- those unseen by the majority of humanity but worthy of being deeply loved. A ministry of In His Steps International, Sak Saum addresses the issues of human trafficking and exploitation in holistic, practical and compassionate ways.
What is human trafficking?
Human trafficking is the recruitment, transportation, harboring, or receipt of people for the purposes of slavery, forced labor (including bonded labor or debt bondage), prostitution and servitude. It exploits children, women, men and the elderly and robs them of dignity, purpose and value. Human trafficking is supposedly illegal in Cambodia. The reality, however, is that it represents a thriving industry, keeping its victims ensnared in a cycle of poverty and despair.
Sak Saum: The Program at a Glance
Sak Saum believes that full restoration of trafficked victims requires treating the body, mind, emotions and spirit. For that reason, we specifically work with women who are motivated to see themselves changed and empowered. The program includes:
- Counseling
- Education
- Job skill training
- Microenterprise development
- Medical care
- Leadership development
- Spiritual training
The program is free of charge and lasts one year. Along with basic education, Sak Saum teaches conflict resolution, parenting skills, healthy identity, positive relationship building, English language, and basic healthcare and hygiene. Women also have the opportunity to participate in fun, extracurricular activities and classes including ballet and traditional Khmer dance.
After one year, Sak Saum meets with each girl to determine what will be best for them and the program. In some cases, girls go on to start their own businesses with the gift of a sewing machine from Sak Saum. Often the girls stay on for another year and begin to teach others as well as grow in designing Sak Saum's products.
What can I do to help?
Become a Sak Saum advocate and release trafficked women from shame and despair into a life of dignity, healing and purpose. To learn more on how to get involved, click here.