Event to benefit organizations rescuing children from human trafficking, forced prostitution and poverty

via Khmer NZ News Media

Julie Reeder

Editor-in-Chief

Issue 24, Volume 14.

Rith Sang photo.

Bora Sang, left, stands next to one of the water machines provided by Water of Life Asia, which works to provide clean water to Cambodian villages

The Village and Valley News, in conjunction with two nonprofits who rescue children from human trafficking, forced prostitution and poverty, are holding an event this Saturday, July 10th, to benefit the organizations and educate readers.

Andrew Reeder, who organized the event, witnessed young children who were being used for prostitution when he was on a missions trip to Cambodia and Thailand. "I felt so helpless looking at these young girls and boys approaching people for sex with their pimp not far behind. I knew at some point I needed to do something. Human trafficking goes on right in our own backyard. San Diego is a major hub. In some cases young girls are brought up from Mexico and used in the groves right here around our homes in North San Diego County. People may not know about it or don't want to think about it, but we have to be aware and help save as many kids and young women as we can, or at least support those who are doing the work."

The event is titled: "Freedom Fest and Call to Action." Breaking Chains and Water of Life Asia will be presenting information about their programs in two short "action seminars" about 45 minutes each, from noon until 3 p.m. The remainder of the event, from 3:15 pm to 7 p.m., will feature family-friendly activities and live bands, including War Stories, Roots Vision, Of Eyes and Wheels, and the sweet sounds of Gayle Skidmore. Donations will be accepted during the event.

Tenkobushi is a volunteer-run group based in San Diego that physically rescues girls ages 7 to 16 from lives of forced prostitution in Mexico. The girls are returned to their parents if they are still living, or placed in an orphanage where adults can care for them and help them with the healing process.

Water of Life Asia is headed by Randy Fleming of Fallbrook and operated by his Cambodian partners. Randy is well known locally. He has organized trips for many years with people from all denominations in Fallbrook and the surrounding areas to visit and do work in the Cambodian orphanages. With help from Calvary Chapel and other churches, they have built an orphanage and safe place where their group cares for and mentors Cambodian orphans ranging in age from 2 to 25. The organization also has a medical ministry and seeks to provide healthier living environments by setting up water filtration machines that provide clean water for Cambodian villages.

Visit www.wateroflifeasia.com and www.breakingchains.org for more information on these two groups and their efforts.

The Freedom Fest event will take place at the home of Village and Valley News and Fallbrook’s historic Elder House, built in 1884, in downtown Fallbrook. The address is 127 W. Elder St. and anyone who would like more information or would like to help with this Saturday's event can email Andrew Reeder at areeder@myvalleynews.com.

See these related videos for more information on human trafficking and child slavery.

http://breakingchains.ning.com/video/child-trafficking-and-women-in

http://breakingchains.ning.com/video/san-diego-child-prostitution

http://breakingchains.ning.com/video/breaking-chains-ministry-a