When we crossed the border into Cambodia from Thailand we were approached by many begging children whom we later found out would be beat by their parents if they do not bring back a substantial amount of income from begging on the streets while the parents sit at home. In the photo above a 6 year old boy is walking around carrying his baby brother. When he approached me he head a rehearsed sad expression and repeatedly asked me for one dollar. Later I saw him playing with his brother acting like a typical child, full of life.
I look at this boys face and I see a story of struggle, but not one without hope. I could look at this photo for hours as I just love this boys expression. He was so cute walking along the top of the median in the road, balancing himself perfectly.
This girl was so captivating. She walked around with her plastic bag collecting plastic bottles and other trash to sell to make money for her family. I could not help but fall in love with her.
This precious girl was greeting me with the formal Cambodian greeting, “Chum Reap Sua!” She was selling these feather dusters on the street hoping that I would buy one. Look at the nail polish pealing off of her nails. She longs to be beautiful and to be seen as valuable, but she is left to a life of begging to help support her family at the age of 10. I pray that she will know that she is a beautiful daughter of the Lord most hight and that he truly values her and longs to embrace her with love.
This girl was sassy, but oh so cute. I totally wanted to take her home.
This means peace to us, but in Cambodia this means Victory. He is proclaiming Victory and smiling. Now that is a picture of HOPE.
Yeah this is the same boy as above, but he deserves two pictures because he is just so cute. As he walked above the road he moved with the unparalleled sense of confidence and despite the circumstances around him he had a youthfulness and liveliness that was just beautiful to watch. It was an unbridled joy and untamed wildness that just made him so intriguing.
I met this girl in one of the provinces we were working with. She was always smiling at me and climbing on everything.
Closeup of her beautiful face. She has a beautiful innocence in her eyes. I am in love with Cambodian children.
This is what I wish I was doing right now.
More photographs of children in Cambodia to come. I love the children here. It breaks my heart that many of the Cambodian children we have met on the streets, or in the slums are at an extremely high risk for sexual exploitation. It is most common that children are sold by their own parents. If you would like more information on child trafficking in Cambodia buy the book, NOT FOR SALE by David Batstone, or check out www.ijm.org.
