Thursday, 31 July 2008

Girls rescued from Cambodian Brothels, a photographic showcase

Rocklin&Roseville Today
Wednesday, July 30, 2008

SACRAMENTO – "Now We Have Hope," a photographic showcase aimed at raising awareness concerning child prostitution, will be displaying photographs taken by girls rescued from Cambodian brothels during a special exhibit that begins on Aug. 9 during the Second Saturday Art Walk. “Now We Have Hope,” the event’s title and message, came from a young girl saved from a brothel and portrays the lives of these young women through the lens of hope and restoration.

Patris Studio at S12 will be hosting the inaugural exhibition of "Now We Have Hope," which features 40 photographs taken by these young women. The studio is located at 1200 S Street in Sacramento.

At the conclusion of the exhibit on Sept. 6, about a dozen of the photographs will be auctioned at an event beginning at 7 p.m. at the gallery. Proceeds from the auction will support Agape International Ministries, a Rocklin-based organization that operates rehabilitation centers and other programs in Cambodia.

The goal of the exhibit is to raise awareness concerning child prostitution as well as raising funds for the ministry to expand. Currently, there are many other cities in Cambodia which are desperately asking Agape International Ministries to set up rehabilitation centers. “These photographs are providing a way for us to see inside the lives of these young girls and view the world through their eyes,” said Renee Burkhalter, Agape International’s Director of Development. “This event provides an opportunity for the community to be a part of solving the problem of child prostitution that is rampant in Southeast Asia.”

Randy Snook, a local artist, author and Professor of Photography at Sierra College in Rocklin, visited one of Agape’s rehabilitation centers in Cambodia and taught the young girls how to take photographs using cameras donated by Hank & Tina Dreschler and Jeannette Kamalski.

“Teaching these girls to utilize photography as a form of self-expression was a fabulous experience” Snook said. “Their perspective and personality is definitely felt in each of the shots.”

The owner of the gallery is donating the space for the exhibit.

“These photographs are extraordinary and I am honored to feature them in my gallery and educate Sacramentans about the dire circumstances these young girls face,” Patris said. Patris is the founding member and executive director of S12, Sacramento's premier art venue for weekly art classes, art events, art exhibits and much more. About Agape Ministries: Agape International Ministries was founded in 1989 and focuses on the holistic rehabilitation of the victims of child prostitution. This includes attending to their physical, medical, and emotional needs as well as providing a high school education and vocational training. Rahab’s house, a sub-section of the ministry, concentrates on preventing prostitution. It is located in a former Cambodian brothel and acts as a neighborhood center, dedicated to combat the acceptable nature of prostitution as well as financially aiding families who otherwise may have had to sell their daughters in order to buy rice.

Don Brewster, a former pastor at Adventure Christian Church, and his wife, Bridget, are currently in Cambodia working with Agape to provide a safe haven for these young girls. For more information, please visit
www.aim4asia.org

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