Neary is just eight years old, but her life has already been shaped by unimaginable hardship. She lives in Kompong Speu province, Cambodia, the third child among seven siblings in a family struggling with poverty, violence, and instability.
Her father’s erratic work as a construction labourer and struggles with alcohol have made him aggressive and abusive, leaving Neary’s mother to bear the burden of supporting the family through her job at a garment factory. The violence at home often spills over, affecting everyone. Instead of attending school, Neary and her siblings have had to work to help sustain the family.
One day, while caring for her baby sibling at home, Neary endured a terrible ordeal—she was attacked by her uncle. Too frightened to speak out, it was only when her mother noticed signs of sexual trauma that Neary confided in her. Her mother bravely reported the incident, leading to the arrest of her attacker.
This marked a turning point for Neary and her family.
A Path to Healing and Safety
Hagar, working with local authorities, stepped in to provide Neary and her sister with the protection they desperately needed. After careful consultation, it was decided that both girls would move into foster care arranged by Hagar through our Church Partnership Programme.
In this loving and secure environment, Neary and her sister are now safe. They have access to education, nutritious meals, and the chance to build a future free from fear. Neary shares:
“I have received great care from my foster parents. For the first time, I have enough yummy food, which I have never had before. My sister and I are happy we can go to school…and I have made a good new friend.”
With continued support from Hagar, Neary’s family is also receiving assistance to address the root causes of their challenges—providing hope for a safer and more stable future.
Why Your Help Matters
Children like Neary deserve safety, love, and the chance to dream. But for many, these basic rights are out of reach. Your support, like the support of the Bottomley’s can change this.
For many years, the Bottomley family has been devoted to supporting Hagar’s efforts to end child slavery and abuse. Their commitment to this cause is deeply rooted in their Christian faith and desire to play an active role in creating a better future.
“We have been supporting Hagar for years and are passionate about ending child slavery across the world. This also aligns closely with our faith, therefore supporting a church partnership to help play our part in ending slavery seemed like a great idea for us.”
The Power of Transforming Lives
The Bottomleys feel most connected to the tangible difference their support makes—knowing that even one child or family has been helped brings them immense fulfilment.
“Just feeling like we have made a difference to even one child or one family—that’s pretty powerful.”
Hopes for the Future
Their vision for the children and families they’ve supported goes beyond immediate relief. They hope to see survivors heal from their trauma, build lives free of slavery and become advocates for change themselves.
“That they can live a life with a future free of slavery, being supported to heal from the trauma that they have experienced, and maybe even develop a passion to support other survivors in their own country so that it creates a ripple effect.”
Their reflections serve as an inspiration to others, demonstrating how personal values, faith, and a commitment to making a difference can converge to create lasting change. The Bottomleys hope is that their support not only transforms lives but also encourages others to join in this vital work.
