We are in the middle of one of the most unique trafficking cases we have ever been involved in and wanted to inform you of our situation and ask for your prayers.
A few weeks ago, our SWAT team and officers from the Phnom Penh Anti-Human Trafficking and Juvenile Protection Police raided two locations in Phnom Penh where a baby trafficking ring was suspected to be operating out of.
During the raid, 5 suspects were arrested on human trafficking charges and 32 women were rescued, 31 of whom are pregnant. The other woman had recently given birth a short time before. The women were immediately transferred to our Restoration Home and received proper lodging, nutritious meals, clothing, medical care, counseling, pre and post-natal health training, and early childhood development training.
The women stayed in our Restoration Home until recently, when they were charged with cross-border baby trafficking as they had agreed to receive money for the babies they were/are carrying. These babies would have been sent to China, however, it is not clear yet as to what form of trafficking the children would have endured once there. The judge sent the women to a police hospital while the investigation continues.
The Cambodian government agreed to allow AIM to continue to provide extensive care for the women while in the police hospital.
We believe that with the necessary equipping and support these 32 families will become models of loving Christian families positively impacting the communities in which they live. However, if any mother chooses otherwise we will place these children in Christian families where they will be loved and cherished.
We will keep you updated on this case, but we need your prayers.
- Pray that the babies will be healthy, hopeful, cared for, and safe.
- Pray that these women will be healthy, find value in their children, would come to know Christ, and raise their children in a loving home.
- Pray that our staff will stay encouraged, gain wisdom as to how to best provide care in this situation, and grow in patience.
Thank you for your prayers,
Don and Bridget