Ending trafficking before it begins in Cambodia

Sreypich, a 19-year-old from Phnom Penh, lives with her grandmother and aunt after her parents’ divorce. Her mother works in Malaysia, and the family’s finances are strained. With a grandmother who cannot work and an aunt with children to care for, basic needs ,and the cost of education, were out of reach. A neighbor told her about AusCam, and she reached out via our Freedom Line in 2019. “I see the light when I come to AusCam. I have hope, and I hope that my life will get better, that I will finish school, and that I will have a safe job,” she shared.

Before joining AusCam, Sreypich faced daily barriers: only one school uniform, a 7–8 kilometer walk to school each day, and scarce books or study materials. With almost no money for snacks or extra classes, she often struggled to keep up. When AusCam learned of her situation, we stepped in with essential support, starting with a bicycle to help her travel safely to school. The bicycle was a lifeline—until it was stolen from their vulnerable rental home near unsafe areas marked by gang activity and drug problems. The loss hit hard, as the bicycle was her only reliable means to attend classes.

COVID-19 worsened the family’s already fragile situation. The aunt’s family faced repeated food insecurity and rent challenges, while her mother’s health deteriorated and medical expenses drew funds away from Sreypich’s needs. Yet, through it all, AusCam remained by her side, ensuring she had enough food and ongoing educational access. Sreypich recalls, “AusCam is there for me. They keep me safe and support my schooling.”

With AusCam’s support, Sreypich flourished academically. She earned top marks in her class and could study with a proper uniform and essential materials that strengthened her focus and energy. In Grade 12, as she prepared for the national exam, she faced a serious health challenge: gallstones requiring surgery. The cost of surgical diagnosis and care posed a heavy burden. AusCam helped by covering part of the examination costs, easing the financial strain on her grandmother and aunt, who secured a free surgery at a state hospital along with room and medications.

Our social workers maintained regular check-ins during this critical period, supporting Sreypich for the national exam three months away. Despite a week in hospital and a month of rest, she stayed determined. She ultimately passed the national exam, and her relief and gratitude were palpable. Beyond grades, the experience strengthened her health, resilience, and sense of possibility.

Today, Sreypich is a first-year university student studying Accounting. She is committed to hard work and aims to secure a stable job to support her grandmother and, one day, bring her mother home to Cambodia.

Your generosity makes stories like Sreypich’s possible. Donations cover uniforms, books, and essential study materials, as well as exams, medical care, transportation, school fees, and life-skills training that empower her toward higher education and financial independence. Sreypich’s journey illustrates what happens when a girl is believed in and supported, translating hardship into opportunity.

With your continued partnership, more girls can turn adversity into achievement and build brighter futures for themselves and their families.

** Every image and story shared here is used with consent and care. We honour the dignity, agency, and courage of the girls and young women who have trusted us with their stories.

Reasey’s Story of Resilience and Leadership

Reasey earned her bachelor’s degree in Law and Economics in 2025 and now works as a Director’s Assistant at a corporation.
"I got this job through AusCam, which helped me apply. I’m grateful—this role is meaningful for my future."

Growing up in a single-parent household with her mother and grandmother, Reasey faced constant financial challenges. Medical bills, unstable income, and the costs of building a home meant her family sometimes went without food, relying on relatives for support. Despite these hardships and living in a volatile neighborhood, Reasey remained determined to pursue her education.

Her life began to change in 2018 when she became a scholarship girl with AusCam. The program provided rice, study materials, emotional support, and growth opportunities, helping her stay focused, safe, and motivated to continue learning.

Reasey’s leadership journey blossomed as a member of AusCam’s Girls Leadership Council (GLC) - a volunteer group of 20 young women who lead campaigns and events to raise awareness about online child sexual exploitation and recruit “Safe Sisters” to spearhead community projects. She also joined the three-year Glow Club program, which nurtures soft skills like advocacy, understanding boundaries, and decision-making. After graduating, she worked part-time with AusCam as a Glow Club peer mentor, passing on the skills and confidence she had gained.

With a little support, opportunities can grow. Thanks to AusCam funding her university tuition, Reasey was able to enroll in university and focus on her dream of studying law.
"I joined the programs and found them incredibly helpful for my future. I want to focus 100% on my studies while staying involved in leadership activities with AusCam."

Today, Reasey is thriving. Her family enjoys a more stable income, and she can help cover her mother’s and grandmother’s healthcare costs.
"Thank you to the donors and AusCam; this support isn’t just for me but for all AusCam-funded girls."