From the very beginning of this month in Cambodia I have had so many children around me. Not only children but also teenagers and adults as well. Many will come up to me and my team trying to sell us various items such as books, key chains, bracelets, and also services like massages or pedicures. I found out these people are labor trafficked meaning they sell these things and offer these services but they work for someone and ultimately when you give them money for these things it keeps them in these less than ideal circumstances and dependent on someone who takes advantage of them. My heart is so burdened for these people especially the kids who don’t really get to have a childhood. I always felt so bad for saying no to them but in the end I realize that it is only hurting them if I am supporting them in this lifestyle. So I wrote a little something to help me process this all.
No .
I will not buy a bracelet or give you money
I would love to but if I did
I would just be helping keep you in the life you so hate
You’re on the street, the street is all you know
You make money for your precious looks and you charm
Underneath though
I can see
You are hurting for love
For the youthfulness you’ve never known
No time for friends or laughter
All you’ve known is striving
Always working for someone else
You are taken advantage of
So naturally this is what you do
You’ve been tricked so you trick
You are smart and you use that to lure those that pass you by
So much money goes through your hands, but you never see a dime
You probably think I am just another foreigner
But I am not
I wish I could help you understand
My heart hurts for you
This is not how things are supposed to be
I wish you knew how precious you are
How worth it you are
I don’t want you to stay on the streets
You should grow up to be a good person
Someone who loves and helps others
Someone who is independent and can think on their own
You can’t do that right now
I want the best for you and this is not it
So I’m sorry but I cannot buy your bracelet
