A survivor's journey: Narin Ly

Narin is a psychology assistant at AFESIP, our partner center in Cambodia. Her journey has been difficult, and she never imagined she would one day be able to pursue university studies and help other victims like herself. Today, she is not only a role model for the younger girls at the center but also for us, because her resilience commands respect. Discover this survivor's story below.

Narin was born in 2000 into a very poor family living in Kratie province. The second of six children, she had to become responsible very early on. Her parents were both alcoholics and did not own a home. They worked mending fishing nets or helping in the fields, and the food or money they received in return was mainly used to buy alcohol.

As a child, Narin was raped twice by a neighbor. The first time was when she was trying to catch fish in the river, and the second time was when she was trying to catch frogs to feed her siblings. She didn't dare speak about it because her attacker threatened to kill her entire family, and she became frightened.

Shortly after, Narin was separated from her siblings and sold by her mother for 50,000 riels (approximately 10 Swiss francs). A slave to her new family, she had to get up around 3:00 a.m. to sell goods at the market and work until 11:00 p.m. She was regularly forced to sleep outside in the rain and was beaten with electrical cables or a rattan whip. One day, she received a blow to the head that bled so profusely that someone from the market decided to accompany her to the police.

That's how, in 2009, Narin was placed in the care of the AFESIP center. Emaciated and having never set foot in a school, she finally discovered what a happy childhood was: three meals a day, a comfortable bed, clothes, support, but above all, a family. The other girls at the center became her new sisters, and the longing for her siblings became a little less difficult. Somaly became her mother, and she finally discovered what a mother's unconditional love was: hugs, encouragement, comfort in difficult times, and above all, hearing "I love you, my child."

Narin was supported by AFESIP for 16 years. In addition to receiving holistic care, psychological support, and English and computer classes at the center, she also had the opportunity to attend school and even pursue university studies. She decided to study psychology in order to help other victims like herself. In 2025, she obtained her psychology degree from the Royal University of Phnom Penh. After an internship at the center, she officially joined the team in early 2026.

Today, Narin primarily organizes group therapy sessions with the children at the center, including art therapy, yoga, meditation, and support groups. She assists the supervising psychologist with administrative tasks such as file management, scheduling individual sessions, and preparing reports. In addition, she has reconnected with her siblings and met her nieces and nephews. She is now independent and lives in a small apartment in the capital.

"I would like to express my sincere gratitude to AFESIP Cambodia and all its donors, especially the Solyna Foundation. I am one of the many young women who received care and support and who have now graduated. I now work full-time at AFESIP Cambodia, where I can help other victims using the skills I acquired at university. You have made my dream come true." - Narin Ly

Narin's story is sadly still common around the world and in Cambodia. Every day, children are abused, sold, or dehumanized by adult violence. It is thanks to the generous support of individuals and corporate donors that little girls like Narin can be saved and given a better life. Our fight is not over, and your commitment is still needed. Thank you for her and for all the future Narins!