Maeng was just 5 years old when she first came to Kids Club, in Cambodia. Like any other preschooler, she sang songs, created artwork and played with the other children.
Spunky and anything but shy, Maeng never missed a meeting. Then one day, Kids Club directors noticed she was walking strangely — her legs spread wide apart. She also had troubling sitting. So much trouble that she had to stand to do her beloved art projects.
Unlike other clubs around the world, this club was held in a former brothel, in the middle of one of the most notorious villages for child sex trafficking in the country.
Maeng had turned into one of many who were in bondage. Her grandmother had started selling Maeng to different men every night.
But with the help of The Hard Places Community, a mission that targets both Cambodia and India, Maeng was rescued.
And now, Maeng’s story has made it all the way to Plant City, through The Hard Places Community Executive Director Alli Mellon, who shared it with Lakeland’s Fuel Community Church. Her tale was captivating — so much so that Plant City resident and church member Debbie Miller had to act.
With the help of Fuel, Miller is organizing the first Traffick Jam walk in Florida. The 10-mile walk, which benefits The Hard Places Community, will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 20, at 175 Lake Hollingsworth Drive, Lakeland. In addition to the walk, the church also will offer food, including hot dogs and hamburgers. Guests also will have the chance to win prizes through a raffle.
“I was crying,” Miller said of learning about Maeng. “It’s so shocking — especially if you have kids. I never knew that even went on. I wanted to do something — not just give money.”
So far, 100 people have signed up for Traffick Jam. Miller hopes more from the Plant City area will join in her crusade to help those in hard places.
Traffick Jam was started in 2008 with the help of Mellon’s brother, Drew. During the first year, Traffick Jam raised $75,000 to open Punlok Thmey Prevention and Restoration Center for Boys in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The center is a drop-in center for at risk boys ages 5 to 24.
Last year, there were only a fraction of the walks held the first year. Still $40,000 were raised to build a girls’ center in Punlok Thmey.
This year, all 50 states will host a walk. Most were held April 6.
“I just knew I had to do this,” Miller said. “I know that God will give us what he wants to give.”
TRAFFICK JAM
WHEN: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 20
WHERE: 175 Lake Hollingsworth Drive, Lakeland
REGISTRATION: fuelcommunitychurch.com or call Debbie, (813) 545-8061
INFORMATION: traffickjamasia.com or hardplaces-community.org