My name is Mei and I'm 19 years old. I went to school when I was younger, but I had to leave to work in the rice fields when I was My family is poor and when there is no food to eat, you have to do what you must to support them β as I'm the oldest it's my responsibility.
When I first came to Phnom Penh, I got a good job in a garment factory. This wasn't enough for my family. I worried all the time about them; my mum is old and ill, and I wanted my brother and sister to stay in school. At the time, I was living in a room with other factory workers, and one of them had a friend who worked in a beer bar.
My friend said she was earning good money from this and that I could do it too, so I went there to work. At first things were OK as I earned more money.
I would sit outside the bar and ask men to come in and drink. The men would ask me for sex but I always said no, I wouldn't sell my body.
Sometimes they'd grab me or fondle my breasts, which I hated, but if I complained the boss would shout at me.
