The Road of Innocence by Somaly Mam

There are quite a few books that I have read this winter, and they are all piled up next to my desk or I gave them away if somebody was interested. And I want to pass them on to others instead of just sitting there. All of them I liked very much, they were not only inspirational but  increased my curiosity about yet another country. So I will write just a few lines since there are other things to do and I tend not to pay attention while I think about book,  like i.e. looking for a job, thinking of how to improve my graphics business, or just go hiking! And of course as a side matter, I don't want to forget any of these.

This book was given to me also and first I rolled my eyes … another book of a woman writing about her life. But then again I don’t know much about Cambodia, except vague memories from TV descriptions, so why not read it. Stunned after reading the first sentences I could not put the book down before  the end

These are facts taken for granted in Cambodia: women are worth less than a penny. Somaly grows up as ethnic minority, her mother+grandmother just walked away from her life which did not seem so unusual there. She is taunted because of her darker skin, has to work for her relatives, eats whatever she finds. She meets a so called “grandfather” and follows him, thinking he is taking her to a new family, but he really is a monster, and she is sold by him like a slave to work as a prostitute,which she does with no way of escaping.  After years of horrendous rapes, beating and cruelty, Mam has saved some money to escape from her horrific life when Cambodia opens up to tourism and aid workers from Europe and the United States and acquainting wealthier patrons. She is always struggling and what makes her never stop. She  founds AFESIP (Acting for Women in Distressing Situations and dedicates her life  and helps as many girls as she can escape their harrowing situations. The story is told direct and simple and without display of pity.  She is remarkably restrained and controlled in her storytelling.  She sets out to explain what she thought at what were the worst moments of her life and the result is incredibly shocking and moving.  Even though the circumstance Mam endured are brutal she is of the opinion that the girls being sold into slavery today have it even worse.  They are found chained and tortured in despicably grim living situations, lacking cleanliness and protection from disease.  The trafficking of very young girls- as young as 5- has exploded into big business, and tourist hotels have been so that men who travel to Cambodia on vacation can spend time with young girls.

The story is told directly, simply and without displaying any pity for herself.  She is remarkably restrained and controlled in her storytelling which swings between horror and inspiration. What a way to force a life. For me it was a must-read! Somaly Mam is able to creep up from the bottom, become "successful", never forgets her upcoming and how women are still treated. She is able to found AFESIP and provides help, education and hope.