PROJECT FUTURES gives hope by transforming the lives of women and children in Cambodia and Australia affected by sexual slavery, trafficking and exploitation.
Funds raised help support established projects that work to prevent, support and empower victims, survivors and those at-risk.
In partnership with AFESIP Cambodia; an organisation based on the vision and life’s work of Cambodian survivor and activist Somaly Mam, PROJECT FUTURES helps provide safe and secure housing, confidential psychological support, routine and emergency medical treatments, as well as professional legal assistance and opportunities for education and training women and girls.
Any funds raised on the day from this event will help AFESIP continue this valuable work in Cambodia.
Meditation for Women provide a Transcendental Meditation® Program - a simple solution to your search for inner peace, reduced stress and anxiety, better work–life balance, and greater energy and clarity of mind.
On Wednesday 7 March, they will be hosting a free seminar at Mosman Art Gallery for members and guests in honour of international human rights activist, Somaly Mam and fellow survivor of sex slavery, Sina Vann; who will both address the audience and share something of their journey.
Having dedicated their lives to the recovery of other young women and girls in Cambodia who have suffered the same fate, they will also share how meditation and relaxation techniques have been used as a tool to support the ongoing rehabilitation of the girls recovering from sexual violence and trafficking.
Date: Wednesday 7 March 2018
Time: 630pm - 830pm
Location: Mosman Art Gallery | 1 Art Gallery Way Mosman, 2088
Cost: Entry is free, but registrations required.
The evening will include refreshments and be lead by Clare Pearson, CEO of local charity PROJECT FUTURES.
International human rights activist, founder, best-selling author and fearless survivor of sex slavery
Born into a tribal minority family and sold at the age of 12, Somaly is a survivor of sexual slavery and a human rights activist.
Forced to work in a brothel along with other children for nearly a decade, she was brutally tortured and raped on a daily basis.
After escaping the industry with the help of a foreigner, she went onto establish AFESIP Cambodia (Acting for Women in Distressing Situations) to rehabilitate and reintegrate children and young girls who have been rescued from the sex trade.
She has dedicated her life's work to supporting victims by providing a safe space to start the heading process and empowering survivors to become agents of change.
Survivor of sex slavery and outreach worker at AFESIP Cambodia
Born in Vietnam, Sina was abducted from school and sold to a brother in Cambodia where she was forced to service up to 20-30 clients a day. If she refused to work, she would be tortured with chilli and locked in a dark, underground room without food.
It was only after the brothel was raided by police after a number of years that freedom seemed assured, but at the expense of being able to return home to her family.
From victim to survivor to empowered young woman, Sina was supported by AFESIP to recover, seek out an education and eventually return to the centre to support other women in similar situations.
Sina now leads the social outreach program at AFESIP, supporting women in some of the most impoverished communities by raising awareness of the service, promoting access to primary healthcare and safe sex practices.