Sandar's Story of Resilience

Sandar’s Story:

Love in Action

This story — and the jewelry piece inspired by it — honors Sandar, a young woman whose courage continues to ripple far beyond her own life.

Sandar’s journey began in loss. At just three years old, both of her parents had passed away. Her grandmother cared for her for a short time, but when she also passed, Sandar was left in the home of her aunt and grandfather. When her grandfather later entered the monastery, Sandar was left alone in the care of an aunt whose abuse shaped her earliest memories.

While most children spend their days laughing, learning, and playing, Sandar spent hers trying to stay unseen. Her childhood was defined not by safety, but by survival.

A Child Left Unprotected

When Sandar was ten, her aunt decided she could no longer care for her and sent her to live with distant relatives. There, Sandar faced further harm. When she tried to tell the adults in the home what had happened, she was not believed.

A trafficker in the community saw the situation — and saw an opportunity. He offered Sandar’s relatives money, claiming he could “care for her.” They agreed, unaware or unmoved by what would happen next.

Sandar was taken across a border to a brothel that exploited children. Alone in a place where she did not speak the language, she tried desperately to resist. But repeated trauma and isolation eventually overwhelmed her.

At eleven years old, Sandar learned to numb herself in order to survive.

A New Captor, A New Chance to Speak

After several years, Sandar was moved again — this time to a KTV establishment in a large city. There, she had slightly more freedom and met a young man who showed her kindness. Believing she had finally found someone who cared for her, she trusted him.

One night, police raided his apartment. Shocked and afraid, Sandar told a policewoman everything — about the place she had been held and the children who were still there. She did not know the word trafficking, but the officer recognized it immediately.

Instead of being punished, Sandar was taken to a shelter for child victims of trafficking.

A month later, she learned she was pregnant.

When Sandar was several months along, she was asked to testify against the individuals who had exploited her. To protect her, she gave her testimony through a video link. She was one of two key witnesses, and the only survivor willing to speak. Her courage allowed the case to move forward.

Healing Takes Root

After the trial, Sandar returned to her home country and gave birth to her daughter. She was referred to Eden for long-term healing, support, and restoration.

When Sandar arrived at Eden, she was quiet, guarded, and carrying deep trauma. Through trauma-informed counseling, compassionate care, and safe community, she gradually began to recover. She learned to trust again. She learned to hope again.

She also began to dream.

On Eden’s Dream Wall, Sandar painted her future: a life where she and her daughter are together, safe, and thriving.

She is now preparing for vocational training in sales and marketing. The Eden jewelry team is teaching her essential professional skills, from managing inventory to communicating with customers to online marketing — tools that will allow her to support her child and build a stable future.

Choosing Justice for Others

What Sandar may not fully realize is that her courage has already changed lives.

The day she bravely testified — despite her fear, despite her wounds — she chose love in action.She spoke not only for her own freedom, but for the freedom of girls she may never meet.

Today, as she helps craft jewelry that funds rescue, restoration, and employment for survivors, she continues to walk a path of justice.

Sandar’s story does not end in what happened to her.

Her story is defined by the future she is building — one of strength, dignity, and hope.

Courageous Heart Necklace

Handmade by survivors, this piece reflects love’s power to bring justice to women like Sandar.

Orphaned young and trafficked across borders, Sandar courageously testified against her traffickers and found healing at Eden, where she learned to create jewelry that helps others find their own freedom.

Wear the Courageous Heart Necklace as a reminder that love can be a force of liberation and hope.