We went to Afesip Cambodia, an organisation in Cambodia that provide refuge for female children who have been sexually and physically abused. We came to know about this organisation when we heard that it had recently taken care of a Muslim girl who had been raped. The organisation not only provides residential accommodation for victims to ensure their safety, but also provides counselling services, medical assistance, in-house education for the very young etc. They have been in operation since 1996 and about 80% of their staff were those who were victims themselves.
When we made the appointment to meet them, we were expecting just to have a meeting with the management team, to learn about their organisation and also to discuss on how we can help them in their care for the Muslim girl. However, to our surprise, they have informed the girls under their care that we were coming. The little girls even did a performance to greet us. After the performance, those little girls went to hug Dr Nor Azian. That was not a surprise because Dr Nor Azian is a female lady and she had also distributed some sweets to them. However, to my surprise, some came to hug me. I was shocked because I knew that they were victims of physical and sexual abuse by men, they have trauma towards men, and I am supposed to keep a safe distance from them. Soon after, in came to my mind that the hugging is one of the ways the organisation try to desensitise their trauma towards men, to teach the victims that not all men are evil, and that there are men who can and will help them.
We are all humans, and human nature is to do good things and help others regardless of their religious beliefs.