Somaly Mam at a press conference in Phnom Penh
In December 2008 New Day members Kim Cheung and Liza Green visited the Voices for Change office in Phnom Penh. We met with the Voices for Change team leader Sina Vann, Somaly Mam and the VFC support staff. We also met a young girl, Pros Long, who had escaped from severe abuse at a city brothel and was being cared for by Sina. Her story touched our hearts.
Sina Vann, VFC team leader.
We were delighted to see all of the office equipment that New Day bought for the VFC team being put to use. Although this is a new venture the VFC team has the full support of the Somaly Mam Foundation and they are busy rolling out their educational activities, advocacy and outreach work.
Posting board in the VFC office
After the meeting at their office we were taken to a hair salon that is run by a well-known stylist A. Neanda and staffed with Girls who have been rehabilitated in AFESIP shelters and trained in hair-dressing skills. In all our encounters we were struck by the supportive and close atmosphere that the girls are being cared for in. We were very encouraged to see the effect our grant is having on their day-to-day activities and long-term planning. thank you again to Linklaters for their generous support of this project. you can download the presentation to members on Voices for Change here voices-for-change-members-kim-pre
For more details you can also download our site visit report : new-day-report-voices-for-change-_smf_-v21