“I know I have value now” Sopeah’s Story
It was a trick, she had taken me to a brothel. She took money from the brothel owners, and left me there. She said she would come back to get me.
She never came back.
At first they asked me in a nice voice, telling me I could earn money doing this.
I refused.
They beat me with a belt until I agreed to do it.
I was so afraid.
After a while I realized I had nowhere to go. So I stayed there.
I never received money for sex work. The pimp took all the money from the customers.
I came to Daughters 2 years ago.
Sometimes I tried to buy sleeping pills to try to kill myself.
Daughters do not force me to do work that is beyond my ability. They are patient with me.
I am still scared of dying.
When I feel fear, I pray to God and my fear reduces.
I wanted to go home. But I was too ashamed to face my family.
Before, I felt so low. But now I feel so different.
Every client at Daughters has a story. Sopeah’s story did not end the way it began. Daughters of Cambodia exists so people like Sopeah can thrive. If you would like to know more, please visit: www.daughtersofcambodia.org Images taken by Daughters clients during Photography classes.
Client name changed for privacy reasons