Exhibition lets violated women rediscover beauty

(South China Morning Post, May 2015)

Ra, 24, was raped on Cambodian New Year’s Day while out selling sugar cane with her brother. She was 14 years old.

“It was so difficult for me. I had big dreams for my life, but it was like everything was gone – there was no hope, no life,” said Ra, struggling not to cry.

Speaking through a translator, the pharmacy student said she wanted to tell her story of recovery and hope.

Ra is one of six women photographed for an exhibition called Women Who Shine X Hagar, on show at the Fringe Club in Central until tomorrow.

“I wanted to be part of it because I want to help those who are from the toughest places or have a similar experience as me,” said Ra. “Don’t let the sadness prevent you from going forward.”

After the rape, Ra’s family sought help from NGOs and was referred to humanitarian organisation Hagar International, with which she stayed at a shelter for a month. She was then referred to a children’s recovery home, where she stayed for almost two years while her physical and emotional wounds healed.

Ra said during those two years and many more after, the people at Hagar made her feel valued and gave her an education. She is now a third-year pharmacy student at a university in Cambodia and hopes to open a similar haven for children, the elderly and the poor – “just like Hagar”.

Read the full article and watch Ra’s interview here.