Empower Abused and Trafficked Vietnamese Women

Thank you for giving to empower the lives of women.  With this update, we want to share a little bit about Nga*, a survivor who has recently arrived at Hagar Vietnam.  To protect her identity, we have changed her name.

By supporting these women, you have become a part of their story as they journey to recovery.

Nga, 16 years old, survivor of human trafficking, 1 month at Hagar

Nga is a new client who joined Hagar Vietnam in early August. She was trafficked to China last year when she was only 15. Due to the family’s poor economic situation, Nga’s mother wanted her to look for a job. An elderly woman living in the neighborhood approached Nga’s family and told Nga that she could work as a babysitter for the her daughter in China. Nga’s mother agreed to let her go with the woman’s son to China, hoping she could earn some money to support the family. However, as soon as Nga arrived in China she was sold to a brothel. The next 15 days were a horrible nightmare as she were sexually abused by many different men.

Nga tried desperately to contact her family back home. Nga’s parents finally received the shocking news and were able to contact police to rescue her. The 15 year-old girl returned home hopeless and afraid for her future. Nga became quiet, unmotivated, and depressed. She ate very little, slept a lot, and had almost no connection with others.

Through a referral by the Center for Communication and Counseling Services, Nga was introduced to Hagar Since then, she has received comprehensive services for recovery and empowerment including safe accommodation, health care, counseling, therapeutic art activities, and career orientation. Nga meets with her counselor every week to learn coping skills. Being very determined to be a hairdresser, Nga was recently selected to participate in a 9- month training course by L’Oreal. Nga has shown her excitement to start the very first step to build her own life in Hanoi. To support Nga to the fullest, her case manager visited her parents in her hometown, listened to their difficulties and explained about the services provided to Nga and urged them to encourage Nga to do her best.

Nga still has a very long way to go but we are so proud of her. If you’d like to continue the journey with survivors like Nga, here are a few suggestions:

1. Join our “Pack for Traffick” Campaign. Who knew that packing a lunch could make a big difference in the lives of victims of trafficking? Learn more and get started at www.tinyurl.com/pack4traffick.
2. Watch “The Storm Makers” (for free on PBS through the end of September) with some friends. This documentary, filmed in Cambodia, shows chilling viewpoints from traffickers and family members and depicts exactly why organizations like Hagar exist.

Thank you again!