09 May My Time in Cambodia with Beauty for Freedom and Together1Heart

My Time in Cambodia with Beauty for Freedom and Together1Heart
LOVE MAGDA LOVE

Words by Magda Love
Photography by Erica Simone
 

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This month Beauty for Freedom, in partnership with American artists muralist Magda Love, photographer and journalist Erica Simone, visual artist Reilly and photography student Jeana Lindo, taught art workshops to over 60 youth who were survivors of sex trafficking and domestic/sexual violence. The immediate effects of the workshops provided were astounding. The young women and girls were euphoric, engaged, empowered and so open to sharing their stories through art. There was a general calming effect on the youth and they were able to step outside of their horrible circumstances and memories to create artwork reflecting the ideology that their yesterdays are not their tomorrows and that anything they would like to accomplish in life is possible.

Beauty for Freedom’s mission with our project this month partnering with local Cambodian anti-trafficking non-profits together1heart and AFESIP Cambodia is to provide art therapy to the young survivors of sex-trafficking and abuse housed at the Tom Dy Center run by together1heart through mural-making, photography and art workshops. Additionally, our team is on a fact-finding mission to discover the causes of sex trafficking locally and possible solutions by interviewing survivors, sex trade workers from local brothels, local officials and AFESIP staff. Our BFF team joined AFESIP staff on their weekly visit to local brothels and provided food for over 30 families living in the community which would last them about 3 days. Our vision is to start a fund meant to help together1heart reopen their medical clinic, to assist in purchasing medicines for HIV positive sex workers and to fund a monthly food distribution to help the women working in the brothels feed their families without going into further debt with the brothel owners.

As a muralist and artist I have always loved preparing myself for a trip reading about local culture, folktales, people and the country’s history. When I started to research about our trip to Cambodia I don’t think I was fully aware of how much impact this trip would have on my life.
 

I have only been in Phnom Penh for a few days and I can say that the stories I have heard today and yesterday at the together1heart Tom Dy Center home have changed me forever. Looking into the eyes of these young girls and hearing them chanting songs about their live is really seeing the transformational power of hope. The impact that we can all have in each other’s lives and how kind words can open hearts and paths for all of us is incredible. These phenomenal women want to be heard, as we all want to be heartd. Hearing them speak about their aspirations with sparkles in their eyes was incredibly moving. Their connection to Somaly Mam was a testament to the unconditional power love.
 

I asked myself “What am I here to teach when I am really the one walking away with valuable lessons.” What could I possibly hope to give them? I wanted to inspire them… to reinforce the sense of power and dignity all girls and women possess innately. When we gather together in sisterhood and we support each other, women are capable of wonderful change! This world needs us to be strong for one another. We must educate our boys and men better, so we can support our humanity and creating a brighter tomorrow!
 

As an artist I am also a story teller on a quest for new adventures, new images and new experiences. Now, I have an even bigger story to tell. This phenomenal group of women, including the incredible survivors, the founder of the center Somaly Mam, the co-founders of Beauty for freedom Monica Watkins and Isabelle Katz, the talented fellow artists Jeana Lindo, Erica Simone, and Zephy, all the people who worked at the center, those who donate and supported this trip; we are all connected in this powerful way connected by positive energy and intent…creating a better future for all girls and women who are suffering and who can be helped and rescued from slavery, violence and poverty. When we support these girls and young women, we are all stronger as a whole.
 

More than ever, this world needs our involvement, our talent and our commitment. I came here to teach an art workshop and I am learning my life’s purpose! Feeling thankful would be truly an understatement.