November 24, 2009
Each year the Foundation will award scholarships to survivors of sex trafficking. These funds, which are made available for a one-year period that begins on September 1 and ends on August 31, can be used for education, vocational training, advocacy programs, entrepreneurial enterprises, or other survivor-led initiatives or activities that increase the ability of a survivor of trafficking to serve as a voice against human sexual slavery or that contribute to a survivor’s integration into her community and the reduction of social stigma. A number of these scholarships will also be available to support continuing education or other activities that enhance the capacity of staff members of organizations dedicated to the eradication of human trafficking to carry out their work more effectively and with greater impact.
This fall the Foundation invited the staff of shelters, social service agencies, and anti-trafficking organizations based in Southeast Asia to submit nominations for scholarship recipients. The scholarships are intended for a survivor of sex trafficking who has shown aptitude for leadership and who has a specific plan of action or project that will enable her to act, or increase her impact, as an advocate against human trafficking or whose work will lead to a reduction in the social stigma experienced by trafficked people; or, a staff member at an anti-trafficking service provider or other agency to pursue educational or other opportunities that will enhance his or her capacity to work more effectively to end trafficking or its social stigma.
The Somaly Mam Foundation is delighted to provide this opportunity for survivors of sex trafficking and their allies to strengthen their ability to speak out against human trafficking and its social stigma. We look forward to keeping you abreast of their progress.
October 27, 2009
On October 27th, Somaly Mam shared her personal struggle to a wrapped audience of over ten thousand. Hosted by First Lady Maria Shriver in California, the nation’s premier forum for women features other noteworthy speakers, including Senior Advisor to President Obama Valerie Jarrett, Madeleine Albright, Katie Couric, Geena Davis, Eve Ensler, Paula Zahn, and many more.
September 25, 2009
The Somaly Mam Foundation submitted a Commitment to Action to the Clinton Global Initiative which has been accepted. The action will put into place a micro-financing program that will support the reintegration of survivors through microenterprise development.
The program will identify and supply micro-financing to viable microenterprises proposed by pairs of people comprised of one survivor and one person who has not been trafficked. This approach provides a viable means of sustainable livelihood and decreases the social stigma that impairs business ventures by survivors alone.
We are working with the Population and Community Development Association (PDA), a Thai NGO that pioneered this program with great success. They will help train and guide us through the initial stages of the program, which we will launch in Cambodia, Laos, and potentially Vietnam. This project will launch in January of 2010.
At the CGI summit, President Clinton called Somaly on stage to highlight this project and recognize her work. Somaly met Ashton Kutcher, Demi Moore, and Julie Ormond at the event.
September 17, 2009
New York, September 17 – Susan Sarandon became the first person to receive the “The Somaly Mam Voices for Change Award” for her “immeasurable contributions to the fight against human slavery, and for her hard work advocating for the young victims of trafficking,” said Michael Waldman, the chairman of the board for the Somaly Mam Foundation.Joining Susan Sarandon at the annual benefit event on was a mix of New York’s leading activists, celebrities and philanthropists. Opening the evening with a moving a cappella song was 15 year old Cambodian trafficking survivor, Day Le. Her song “challenges the world to witness her pain as she reflects on the poverty that tore her from her home and trafficked her through countless sorrows until the day that she found shelter from the storm,” said Bill Livermore, executive director of the Somaly Mam Foundation.Unveiled at the event were the much anticipated Lipstick Portraits by artist and photographer Michael Angelo. The portraits have been created as an expression of solidarity for the victims of human trafficking.Addressing the current economic climate and it’s impact on women and girl, Bill Livermore stressed that
“The state of the global economy has put more women and girls at risk then ever before. I urge you to get the word out to your networks about our work. Please stress that needs are growing and even small monthly contributions can positively impact our ability to shelter, heal, nourish and educate a survivor. We need your help to build a world where hopes and dreams are seen in the smiles of children everywhere.”
Through its programs in South East Asia, the Somaly Mam Foundation rescues woman and children enslaved in brothels and provides the victims of sex trafficking comprehensive rehabilitation services through it’s network of survivor centers. The foundation is also engaged globally in advocacy and awareness efforts with the goal of eradicating sex trafficking and the exploitation of children. Learn more about the Somaly Mam Foundation and follow the foundation on Facebook.
August 20, 2009
The Somaly Mam Foundation is currently seeking qualified applicants for internship positions in New York City. Interested candidates should submit applications immediately. The internship requires a minimum commitment of 20 hours per week and is unpaid. Start and end dates are flexible.
Internship Description
Working closely with the Director of Operations, this position will support a large variety of the needs of the Somaly Mam Foundation. The candidate must have a computer and Internet access and be located in the New York City area.
Qualifications:
- Commitment to human rights
- Excellent writing and editing skills
- Strong research skills
- Literacy in MS Word and Excel
- Strong organizational skills
- Ability to work creatively, independently and as a team member
- Strong Attention to detail
Interested? You can apply on our internship page.
August 14, 2009
As part of the Body Shop “Stop Sex Trafficking of Children & Young People” campaign, Somaly Mam tours the U.S. and Canada to raise awareness about child trafficking and appeal for the public’s support. In a response to a question from Reuters about the campaign, Somaly explains:
“I need everyone to help our work, to open everyone’s eyes to what is going on with trafficking children and what is going on in Cambodia, Asia and around the world,”
“It is not easy to get funding … and the more people get involved the more we can stop trafficking.”
Learn More and Help the Somaly Mam Foundation Stop Sex Trafficking of Children and Young People:
Campaign News Coverage
Former sex slave seeks help as 4-year-old found in brothel – Reuters Battle to End Child Sex Trafficking – FOX 11 News, Los Angeles Former sex slave turned activist Somaly Mam launches three-year campaign – www.metronews.ca Sex slavery victim visits Central New York, speaks out against child sex trafficking – The Post-Standard Sex tourism and Canada’s weak response – CTV.ca News Beauty firm to fight child sex trafficking – Winnipeg Free Press
July 22, 2009
June 30th – Denver, CO
Join us for the graduation of the first class of the Somaly Mam Foundation’s Voices for Change program!
The Voices for Change program was established to train survivors of slavery to become activists for the cause. A small group of survivors was hand-picked by Somaly Mam from the centers of AFESIP Cambodia and offered positions on the Somaly Mam Foundation staff as activists in training. Their primary responsibility right now is to learn English and get caught up on basic education. They also shadow and assist Somaly Mam as she works with government officials, law enforcement officers, and conducts workshops to raise awareness.
The Voices for Change members are currently undergoing an intensive English as a Second Language (ESL) course at Regis University in Denver, Colorado. The language and cultural immersion will not only help enhance their English, but it will also provide them with a new perspective of the world. The trip has also provided the girls with public speaking experience and opportunities to practice their communications skills with the media as ambassadors for the Somaly Mam Foundation.
The ESL course at Regis University lasts for one month from July 1 to August 1 and establishes the annual language and cultural immersion course for program participants. A graduation ceremony will take place at Regis University on July 30th at 11:30am with a reception to follow. Supporters from the Denver area are invited to attend as guests. Space is limited.
RSVP to Randy Lumpp at rlumpp@regis.edu to receive further details.
July 1, 2009
The Somaly Mam Foundation is currently seeking qualified applicants for its communications internship positions in Washington DC. Interested candidates should submit applications immediately for Summer/Fall/Winter 2009. The internship requires a minimum commitment of 20 hours per week and is unpaid. Start and end dates are flexible.
Internship Description
Working closely with the communications team, this position will support the research, writing and outreach needs of the Somaly Mam Foundation and its Web site, blog, Facebook, Twitter and MySpace pages. The Foundation does not currently maintain offices in Washington DC so the candidate must have a computer and Internet access.
Qualifications:
- Commitment to human rights
- Excellent writing and editing skills
- Strong research skills
- Literacy in MS Word and Excel
- Strong organizational skills
- Ability to work creatively, independently and as a team member
- Strong Attention to detail
- Familiarity with HTML a plus
Interested? You can apply on our internship page.
June 30, 2009
On June 23, the U.S. Ambassador to Cambodia joined Bill Livermore, Somaly Mam Foundation’s Executive Director, for an unprecedented tour of rehabilitation center for women and girls in Siem Reap. These centers provide critical vocational training, educational services, mental health and medical care, and training in life skills for victims of sexual slavery. Ambassador Carol Rodley expressed deep admiration for the strong partnership between the US-based Somaly Mam Foundation <http://www.somaly.org> and the Cambodian NGO, AFESIP <http://afesip.org/kh>, that is providing survivor services to the young victims of sexual slavery.
While at the Siem Reap center she observed a number of vocational classes underway before sitting down to help young survivors with their studies. Guiding her on her tour was a survivor named Sina who later shared her story with the ambassador. Livermore was glad to have the opportunity to bring attention to the high-quality programs that have been made possible by the dedicated and talented staff running the shelters, and financial support from the Somaly Mam Foundation. The scope and quality of the school, health services, and reintegration programs clearly impressed Ambassador Rodley.
Ambassador Rodley, the first female ambassador to Cambodia who took her post in October of 2008, is well aware of the impact that the deteriorating economic climate is having on Cambodia’s sex trafficking. In follow-up discussions, the global economic crisis and a decrease in enforcement in areas of the country were blamed for the shocking increase in the number of Cambodian girls being forced into sexual slavery.
You can make a difference.
Help the Somaly Mam Foundation end child slavery and provide life-saving support for its victims.
Become a Supporter:
June 22, 2009
Parade Magazine recently featured Somaly Mam in its Intellegence Report column. Here’s an excerpt:
” How does the Somaly Mam Foundation help other sex slaves?
It can take five minutes to raid a brothel but years for the rescued girls to recover. Some want to commit suicide. I show them that they can survive, they can have dignity. We have three shelters— two for vocational training, another for young children. We let them stay long-term. We help them find jobs. We are a family.”
You can read the full feature online:
Fighting to End Slavery – Parade.com
