Cambodia: So much need

August 13, 2012

The Vancouver Sun

When I was in Cambodia last November researching my six-part series on sex tourism (www.vancouversun.com/sextourism), I was constantly distressed to see how little money there is and how great the needs are, especially for children who have been so badly abused by local men and by foreigners.

I wrote about the work that California-based Agape International Mission does in Svay Pak caring not only for the rescued children, but for children who are still being sold nightly by local pimps and madams to Cambodian as well as foreign pedophiles.

With funding that comes from Vancouver-based Ratanak International, AIM provides safe places for kids as well as adults. It also runs a weekly medical clinic and a yearly dental clinic.

It’s run pretty much on a shoestring with donations from individuals and none from any government — Cambodian, Canadian or American.

So, there’s nothing to spare when emergencies arise. There’s one right now. Co-founder Bridget Brewster (shown at The Sanctuary in Svay Pak) says one of the rescued girls has just been diagnosed as having a hole in her heart.

The life-saving operation costs $44,000. If you want to know more about it or would like to help, click here.