Cambodian Teav Mam Discovers her Destiny

07 July 2012
Sacramento Bee (California, USA)

 Carly Wagner, 16, has her hair colored and styled by Teav Mam. Mam who survived the Khmer Rouge killing fields and abusive relationships in Stockton says hairstyling saved her life. She is currently mentoring five Cambodian girls rescued from sex trafficking in Cambodia. To the left are flowers she sells that the girls made. "I just want them to have some fun spending money," said Teav. Her cherry blossom mural reminds her of the beauty in life.

Teav Mam, right, is hugged by Carly Wagner, 16, after coloring and styling her hair in her salon in Folsom. She is mentoring five Cambodian girls rescued from sex trafficking. In her salon she sells hand made jewelry and flowers the girls have made. Mam hopes to raise $10,000 to go to Cambodia this summer to start the "Growing Hope" beauty school. The plan is to train 20 girls at a time to cut hair. "I also want to meet their parents to see what I'm dealing with," she said.

Teav Mam whose legs are scarred from wild dogs in Cambodia snuggles with her dog Puka. "I was afraid of dogs until a friend gave me Puka and now I love dogs," said Mam who brings her dog to work with her every day. Mam who was abused and ran away when her father wanted to force her into an arranged marriage said she was homeless and had joined a gang in the past. "I even considered suicide," she said. Now a successful hairstylist she is mentoring five Cambodian girls rescued from sex trafficking and her dream is to open a non-profit beauty school for other former sex trafficking victims in Cambodia.

Teav Mam who was bitten by wild dogs in Cambodia was given a gift of Puka, her dog, that changed her view of dogs. "I love dogs now," she said as she took a break with Puka who accompanies her to her salon in Folsom every day. Now a successful hairstylist Mam is mentoring five Cambodian girls rescued from sex trafficking.

Teav Mam takes a break to scratch Puka after her fiancé Kenny Demarest brought her a bento noodle salad on his rounds catering to businesses in Folsom. Mam who is a successful hair stylist is mentoring five Cambodian girls rescued from sex trafficking. The girls were rescued from pimps in Svaypak, a poor town outside Phnom Penh, where nearly every family sells their children.

Teav Mam takes her dog Puka outside for a break while working at her hair salon in Folsom. The successful hairstylist is mentoring five Cambodian girls rescued from sex trafficking. "They call me Bong, 'Big Sister,'" said Mam, who's helping the girls, ages 16-19, rebuild their lives here after years of forced prostitution. Their parents sold them into the sex trade as children.

Teav Mam, a cambodian immigrant who survived the Khmer Rouge killing fields fights back tears as she tells her heart wrenching story about being bullied, abused, homeless and in a gang in Stockton before meeting her fiance eight years ago and turning her life around at a Toastmasters meeting in Folsom. "I even considered suicide," said Mam. Determined to improve her English speaking skills she joined Toastmasters. Mam, a hairstylist in Folsom is mentoring five Cambodian girls rescued from sex trafficking. Their hardship also brings her to tears.

Teav Mam, center, smiles after she was awarded a best speaker ribbon for her speech, "Discovering My True Destiny," at the Toastmasters in Folsom. Mam, a Cambodian immigrant who survived the Khmer Rouge killing fields fought back tears as she told her heart wrenching story about being bullied, abused, homeless and in a gang in Stockton. Now a successful hairstylist she is helping mentor five Cambodian girls rescued from sex trafficking. She is hoping to raise $10,000 to return to Cambodia to start the "Growing Hope" beauty school. The plan is to train 20 girls at a time to cut hair. On Sept. 16, Mam and dozens of other local hairstylists will participate in The Trade's fundraiser, Cut-for-a-cause. To donate, go to supportthetrade.org or email Mam at purplesrey@att.net.