Sreylen*

AGE

14 yrs

GRADE

6

WELCOMED INTO HOME

in 2024

THINGS SHE LIKES TO DO

Cleaning

FAVORITE FOOD

Fried Noodles with Eggs

AMBITION

Tailor

ABOUT SREYLen*

Sreylen* is a 14-year-old girl who was subjected to abuse by someone in a trusted position of authority—a Buddhist monk at the pagoda where her older brother resides. The perpetrator exploited his status to lure her into his room and exploit her vulnerability whenever she visited her brother. One day people heard her crying for help and some of the other monks who broke into the room, protected her, and immediately called her family.

In a culture where silence around abuse has often been the norm, Sreylen*’s story stands out as her family, instead of turning away, believed her without hesitation. They stood by her, reporting the crime to the police and demanding justice. The local authorities acted swiftly, investigating the case and arresting the perpetrator, who now awaits trial.

This response—rooted in support, belief, and action—will go a long way to helping Sreylen* begin to heal from the trauma she has experienced.

Now, Sreylen* is receiving the care she needs to heal from her trauma. She dreams of becoming a tailor and is taking steps toward this goal by enrolling in vocational training.

SREYLen’s* FAMILY

Sreylen* lived in the provinces with her mother, step father and regularly visited her brother at the pagoda where he is a buddhist monk. Her family are very poor and live in a stilted house in the river. Both her parents fish for a living but the income is irregular. Her step-father copes with his own struggles with alcohol and becomes verbally abusive when he is drinking. Our social workers have already started working with the family to make sure everyone is safe and provide information on rehabilitation.

SREYLen’S* FUTURE

Now in the SHE Rescue Home, Sreylen* is starting a new school in grade 6 and is already looking at vocational programs so that she can learn sewing to become a tailor.

Our social workers will continue to support and work with her family to make sure they are all well and building a community she can reintegrate too safely. Her counsellor will make sure she feels safe and learns key skills in coping and healing from her trauma.

Sponsor Sreylen* today and help her realize her potential, away from the suffering of exploitation and into a future full of promise.

*names changed for privacy