Today, we are taking you through a typical day for our young survivors who live at our Tom Dy center located in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. What's their day-to-day life like once they've been rescued and cared for?
In fact, our mission is to help AFESIP (Agir pour les Femmes en Situation Précaire), the organization in Cambodia that enables hundreds of victims of human trafficking and sexual abuse to be rescued, cared for, educated and reintegrated.
In rare cases, and if the family situation allows, some girls are only housed at the Center for a few months, the time it takes to get back on their feet, receive physical care and have sufficiently strong mental health. Thereafter, we continue to support them financially and psychologically to ensure their proper development, education and meals.
If it is not possible for a young girl to return to her family (risk of recidivism, extreme poverty, mental health not stable enough), she remains at the Center until she has completed her training or studies, and thus acquired the tools necessary for her independence, reconstruction and rehabilitation.
It is therefore vital that, during their stay at the Center, however long it lasts, they reinforce the foundations of a healthy lifestyle, learn the importance of discipline and receive an education that will enable them to be financially independent. Fortunately, they are extraordinarily resilient.
And discipline means a regular schedule! Here's a glimpse of a typical day in their week.
4:30 AM
Wake up! Everyone up, regardless of age. The girls make their beds; the older ones help the younger ones if necessary. They change into their sports gear and head down to the courtyard for an outdoor exercise session. The older girls alternate from one day to the next to lead the sports session.
The exercises and stretching have awakened the girls. Now it's time to help clean up the Center, shower and put on school uniforms. Here, everyone pitches in with household chores, to further their education but above all to speed up their recovery by feeling useful and integrating healthy lifestyle habits.
6:00 AM
Breakfast time! They eat together around large round tables. The smallest are served first, but no one eats until the whole table has been served. The meal is served in an atmosphere of good humor, calm and mutual support. The meal is a very important moment, and Cambodians speak very little during meals.
6:30 AM
Departure for the public school by tuk-tuk or car. The school is 5 minutes from the center by tuk-tuk for the smaller ones and 10 minutes by pickup for the larger ones. It would be too dangerous to walk. All the girls look forward to going to school and are very proud of it.
7 AM
When they arrive at school, everyone gathers outside to play, waiting for the teachers to come and collect them.
Once at school, they take classes in Khmer, mathematics, physics, chemistry and general education.
11 AM
The morning has flown by and it's already time to head back to the Centre.
11:30 AM
After this studious morning, a succulent meal is prepared to regain your strength! A warm moment of sharing. It's a real privilege for our residents, most of whom have never had enough to eat. At the Center, there are always three complete meals, consisting of a protein, rice or sometimes noodles and fresh vegetables. There's no fridge, so food is bought daily and cooked as it comes in.
1 PM
To complement the education received at school, teachers come especially to the Center to give English and computer classes every day. These subjects, which are not offered in public schools, offer greater opportunities for their professional lives, and therefore for their future.
Our protégés take their education very seriously, and can often be seen completing their notebooks in their free time.
4PM
During this hour of free time, the girls have the opportunity to do arts and crafts, read in the library, meet the psychologists or take a training course. There's a lot of laughter in the Center, but when one of them is feeling down, her new sisters and the staff are always there to comfort and support her.
5 PM
It's already time for dinner. When you start the day this early, it's important not to stay up too late. After helping to clear away the meal and tidy up the kitchen, the girls return to the shower and change into their pyjamas.
6 PM
During this free time, they keep themselves busy in a variety of ways, make themselves useful or play.
7 PM
The hour before bedtime is reserved for revision and meditation.
8 PM
Everyone off to bed! The center's managers go round all the rooms to wish each one a good night. Somaly reads a story to the little ones, who fall peacefully asleep.
Throughout the day, it's noticeable that all the girls participate in daily tasks according to their abilities. There is a great deal of respect for the older girls, and the established hierarchy is always respected. They elect their own leaders, who take their role very seriously.
At weekends, the schedule is more relaxed, with yoga and traditional dance classes.
This glimpse into a day at the Tom Dy Center reveals the importance of support and structure in the lives of our young charges. Every moment and every activity is crucial to their rehabilitation and personal development. From early-morning wake-up calls to academic classes, to moments of relaxation and sharing, every step is designed to provide them with the structured, balanced life they need to rebuild their lives.
By collaborating with AFESIP and ensuring attentive follow-up, we are committed to providing them with the tools they need to not only overcome their past ordeals, but also build a bright future.
Thanks to your support, we continue to transform lives and offer a fresh start to these courageous girls. Thank you for being part of this vital mission and contributing to their future.
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