The Somaly Mam Foundation submitted a Commitment to Action to the Clinton Global Initiative which has been accepted. The action will put into place a micro-financing program that will support the reintegration of survivors through microenterprise development.

The program will identify and supply micro-financing to viable microenterprises proposed by pairs of people comprised of one survivor and one person who has not been trafficked. This approach provides a viable means of sustainable livelihood and decreases the social stigma that impairs business ventures by survivors alone.

We are working with the Population and Community Development Association (PDA), a Thai NGO that pioneered this program with great success. They will help train and guide us through the initial stages of the program, which we will launch in Cambodia, Laos, and potentially Vietnam. This project will launch in January of 2010.

At the CGI summit, President Clinton called Somaly on stage to highlight this project and recognize her work. Somaly met Ashton Kutcher, Demi Moore, and Julie Ormond at the event.

New York, September 17 – Susan Sarandon became the first person to receive the “The Somaly Mam Voices for Change Award” for her “immeasurable contributions to the fight against human slavery, and for her hard work advocating for the young victims of trafficking,” said Michael Waldman, the chairman of the board for the Somaly Mam Foundation.Joining Susan Sarandon at the annual benefit event on was a mix of New York’s leading activists, celebrities and philanthropists. Opening the evening with a moving a cappella song was 15 year old Cambodian trafficking survivor, Day Le. Her song “challenges the world to witness her pain as she reflects on the poverty that tore her from her home and trafficked her through countless sorrows until the day that she found shelter from the storm,” said Bill Livermore, executive director of the Somaly Mam Foundation.Unveiled at the event were the much anticipated Lipstick Portraits by artist and photographer Michael Angelo. The portraits have been created as an expression of solidarity for the victims of human trafficking.Addressing the current economic climate and it’s impact on women and girl, Bill Livermore stressed that

“The state of the global economy has put more women and girls at risk then ever before. I urge you to get the word out to your networks about our work. Please stress that needs are growing and even small monthly contributions can positively impact our ability to shelter, heal, nourish and educate a survivor. We need your help to build a world where hopes and dreams are seen in the smiles of children everywhere.”

Through its programs in South East Asia, the Somaly Mam Foundation rescues woman and children enslaved in brothels and provides the victims of sex trafficking comprehensive rehabilitation services through it’s network of survivor centers. The foundation is also engaged globally in advocacy and awareness efforts with the goal of eradicating sex trafficking and the exploitation of children. Learn more about the Somaly Mam Foundation and follow the foundation on Facebook.