I’d like to share a little of my journey with you. To do that, I need to go back about 20 years to my first trip to Thailand, a trip that changed everything.

Everywhere I looked, I saw young girls in the arms of much older, seemingly wealthy men: Europeans, Australians, Americans, and, heartbreakingly, Canadians. I’m not someone who rushes to judgment, but deep down, I knew something was terribly wrong.

As I learned more, I discovered that many of these young women had been pushed into these relationships by families living in extreme poverty, believing it to be their only chance for security. I’m sure many of them thought they had found their prince on a white horse, but I doubt that’s how their stories unfolded.

That realization changed me.

Not long after, I traveled to Phnom Penh, Cambodia, where I saw firsthand the horrifying conditions so many children were forced to endure. I visited Svay Pak, a place known as ground zero for child trafficking. I saw the brothels, the men who came to exploit, the pimps who profited. I felt sickened to my core.

But then, I visited New Song, a safe house that provides refuge for young girls rescued from brothels. I saw what safety, love, and hope could look like. I spent time with little girls as young as six who spoke perfect English, and I knew, without a doubt, that I had been called to take action.

That’s why I founded Be The Change Foundation. For many years, we helped keep New Song’s doors open, ensuring these children had food, shelter, education, and,most importantly, a future. Today, our work continues as we partner with organizations like Ratanak International, expanding our reach to protect and support even more survivors.

What started as one trip has become a mission that has defined my life.

And I invite you to be the change, too.