Girlcrush: Faye

We’re moved.

 

Yesterday, we skyped with Faye, the heroine herself.

 

“Hi. Let me change my clothes first. I just got home (from school),” said Faye. She’s only 14, just starting high school.

 

Between scoring good grades, adapting and after school courses, she launched, then grows a non-profit organisation Rumah Faye, writing happy endings for the survivors of child trafficking and prostitution.

 

We wonder: how did a school girl came up with this idea?

 

“When I was 9, I learned about child prostitution from social justice lessons at school. That night, I cried. How could they sell people? The thought of that is unthinkable. Sadly, these are realities for some people.”

 

She needed to do something about this vile reality. Teary eyed, she talked with her mother who runs multiple non-profits. The talk turned into actions.

 

First, they educate girls at orphanages. “The most important thing we teach is safe sex, since we can’t stop them from having sex. Mentality is also important. After being kidnapped, raped, treated like they’re nothing, they need to know that their situation is not normal. They’re worth it.”

 

During her works, she uncovered more horrors, “I have heard the girl's nightmares so many times it hurts. I feel useless that I can’t save everyone. I feel so guilty I can’t do more. I feel like giving up a lot of times.”

 

That sounds tough. Faye, how do you find your courage?

 

“Every night, I pray that we all stay strong,” shared Faye.

 

That gets her moving. Before long, Rumah Faye started to work with government to release warrants to legally save survivors to a shelter, where they’re starting their 100 days rehab. Every survivor has different needs. So, each of their treatment is customly designed.

 

The survivors are also taught vocational skills, like drawing batik. Guaranteed, they will master the skills and then employed by partner organisations. Given those, these girls will start strong in their new lives, definitely not going back to sex enslavement--the only way to earn a living they knew.  

 

How’s the treatment going?

 

“Amazing (progress). When they arrived, they couldn’t talk. They couldn’t look at boys. But, after a few weeks, they’re able to reconnect with their faith,” from her tone, we can hear her beaming, “They’ve been raped, abused verbally and physically, degraded since they’re smaller, but they’re still able to look at themselves and said I am worth it. I have so much respect for them.”

 

So inspiring.

 

“I don’t want to just inspire. I hope the youth realize: we can make a difference. Child trafficking is a serious problem. Our voice is louder than adult’s. We have access to things adults don’t. This is our responsibility. We have to step up,” Faye closed.

 

Written by Helena Natasha.


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