Somaly Mam

Born in a tribal ethnic minority family in Cambodia, Somaly Mam struggled through poverty and limited opportunities during her childhood. Because of this, Mam was sold into a life of sexual slavery many times by a man who posed as her grandfather.

At a very young age, she was forced to work in a brothel with many other young girls and they were all treated horrifically through torture, manipulation, and scare tactics. One night, she watched a close friend get murdered by a pimp.

From this moment on, she made it her mission to escape and later find a way to stop this vicious cycle. Her past has fueled her passion and all her efforts to help young children and women who have become victims of sex slavery and human trafficking. “I am not sure what being happy really means,” Mam said. “But when I cuddle with the girls, giving them the love I never received, then I do feel happy.”

Her incessant diligence and perseverance to combat sex slavery and human trafficking has brought Mam enormous international recognitions including being honored as a “CNN Hero” and being featured on various TV specials on CBC, CBS, NBC and MSNBC.