There was little celebration surrounding Katee’s (not her name) birth seven years ago. She and her mother, siblings and grandmother, struggled to survive: they were homeless. And life on the streets of Cambodia, doesn’t offer much to celebrate.

They fled from one overhang to the next, escaping police nightly. Life consisted of meager scraps of food they scavenged. Begging, the “family business,” their main source of income. Parental addiction, abuse and hopelessness characterized family life.

Our team made repeated efforts to help the family. Keeping families together is usually best for kids, and few legal options were open at the time.

Then Katee’s mom and grandma started selling their children, hoping to bring in extra money. They began with one of Katee’s older sisters, selling her each day for sexual services. The other kids also became targets for extreme abuse and daily humiliation.

Not long after, thankfully, Katee’s sister was rescued. The perpetrator—as well as Katee’s mother—were jailed. We decided to make our move, but with a network of organizations, investigators, government officials and police. Everyone now knew the kids were in serious danger.

We’re now overjoyed to report that all the children once trafficked have been rescued, including little Katee!

What a reason to celebrate! We celebrate the life of Katee and her journey on the road to healing. We also celebrate the love and compassion of the many who made her rescue and rehabilitation possible!

Children like Katee fill the slum communities. The good news is each of us has the power to help one. And one by one, the world changes for good.