Kolab grew up in poverty in Kandal province. When she was 16, her sister asked her to marry a man from the same province. Kolab moved in with his family, where she worked constantly to support the household. By the age of 20, she already had three children, but her family was in debt and struggling to survive.

In late 2018, Kolab’s sister-in-law introduced her to a broker. With her husband’s consent, she was persuaded to go abroad for work, believing she was going to Thailand to earn money for her children. Instead, she was trafficked to China as an illegal migrant.

On the way, Kolab and other young women were given little food, forced to sleep in unsafe places, and threatened with death if they tried to escape. Once in China, she was forced to marry a Chinese man arranged by the broker. When she resisted, she was beaten and threatened with prison. Only then did she realise that her sister-in-law and her husband had sold her.

Her life became one of abuse and exploitation. She was forced to work long hours on farms and in the household, given only leftovers to eat, and repeatedly subjected to violence. Even when she became pregnant, she was made to work without proper food or care. After giving birth to a son, the baby was taken away from her. For more than three years she endured this, isolated and without hope of seeing her children in Cambodia again.

“I never forget this worst time in my life. I cried every day. I was forced to work without pay, without enough food, and was not treated as human. I thought my life was over and that I would never see my children again,” Kolab said.

In March 2022, she managed to escape and reach the police. After four months in detention as an illegal migrant, she was repatriated to Cambodia in July 2022. The Ministry of Social Affairs referred her to Hagar for care and support.

At Hagar’s Home of Love, Kolab received shelter, counselling, food support, and care from trained foster mothers. At first, she found it difficult to trust again after her past experiences. But gradually, she began to feel safe. Hagar’s team helped reunite her with her children, who had been left behind and were living in poverty. The family’s reunion was full of tears and joy.

With Hagar’s support, Kolab was given counselling, case management, emergency assistance, and help to develop a livelihood. After planning together, she received small business support to open a grocery shop.

“Hagar has assisted and helped me to start my own business. I now earn income, around 30,000 Riels ($8) per day. All my children can go to school and I can support them. I hope that they will study hard and be able to support themselves in the future,” she said.

Today, Kolab is living safely with her children. She has regained confidence and hope for the future.

“I have gained more hope than I ever had before. Hagar team helped me to heal and encouraged me to think about my future and my children’s future. Hagar has changed my life, giving me a new life. No words can describe how I feel about the support that Hagar has given me and my children, but thank you so much for saving our lives,” Kolab said.