Surviving trafficking in Cambodia:

Reaksmay’s Story

Reaksmay was sold to a pedophile in Cambodia when she was just eight years old. Her journey of survival and triumph is nothing short of extraordinary.

Reaksmay was born into a poor family. Food and necessities were a daily struggle. She was sold to an American living in Cambodia to be a house keeper. The job would help her family with finances and she would have housing and food. There were many other girls at his home. Soon she would discover the nightmarish truth about this man and the horrors that would take place in his home.

The man used drugs and abusive manipulation to sedate the girls and do what he wanted to them. After receiving a lead on this man, Agape International Missions (AIM) and the local police performed a rescue setting Reaksmay and eight other girls free from his abusive hold on them. The Cambodian police said it was the worst case of human trafficking they had ever seen.

The staff at AIM, lovingly helped her heal with love, counseling and a new sense of belonging. There she was guided toward a new life of freedom and purpose. Today, she is married and living in America. Despite her painful past, she chose to return to her childhood home, dedicating two years to making a difference in the lives of other survivors at AIM.

AIM provided a way for some of the girls to testifying to what her had done to them in an American court. He was finally sentenced and will spend the rest of his life in prison.

Now, Reaksmay designs jewelry for AIM’s workshops, where young women who have overcome similar hardships can learn valuable skills. Survivors are trained in sewing, silk-screening, and jewelry making, enabling them to earn a sustainable income. HopeCo., supports AIM’s mission, by selling handcrafted items such as shirts, long kimonos, and jewelry under the AIM and Moxie brands—all made by survivors at AIM’s workshop (plus some Noble Venture items too.) [shop here]

Reaksmay’s name means "shining," a fitting reflection of her spirit. Through her work, she brings hope and opportunity to other survivors, helping them build a future beyond their past.

Watch her inspiring story in this video.