IJM Cambodia Director of Aftercare Christa Hayden takes you into her work in Southeast Asia

I am sitting on the hard tile floor of a Cambodian jail cell, trying unsuccessfully to light a mosquito coil while wiping sweat out of my eyes, shooing ants away and swatting at mosquitoes. It has been two years since I graduated with my master’s degree in social work. I definitely cannot remember any of my professors lecturing on mosquito management in Southeast Asia! However, I have three small teachers with me in this jail cell, and they all pitch in to show me the fine art of keeping a mosquito coil lit and balanced on its tiny metal tray.

IJM’s fight for justice is strengthened immeasurably by the commitment of students around the world who advocate for and support the oppressed. Passionate students have founded more than 140 IJM Campus Chapters at colleges and universities from Texas to Uganda.

The attention sex trafficking is receiving – from academia to Hollywood – underscores a growing recognition of the urgency to fight this violent oppression.

Internationally acclaimed alternative-rock band Switchfoot will make its debut performance in the Philippines with a concert to benefit IJM on Sept. 10, 2007. The band is well-known for their radio hits “Dare You to Move” and “Meant to Live,” as well as their commitment to social justice. The concert, to be held in Manila’s Cuneta Astrodome, will raise funds and awareness for IJM’s anti-human trafficking work.