KelliCiannaTara

media type="custom" key="7581565" http://womensissues.about.com/ b/2010/11/18/lives-of- cambodian-street-children- changed-by-the-altruist.htm http://www.kickstarter.com/ projects/1135313414/the- altruist-cambodian- streetchildren-documentary

Abstract: Our video and corresponding article is about pedophilia in Cambodia. John McGinley, a 30-year-old investment banker vacationing in the country, stumbled upon this striking reality. Cambodia, a country once ravaged by war and killing, is now beginning to rebuild itself. In this process, they are essentially re-laying a foundation for themselves. With the remaining members of the population being so young and industries not developed with which to receive an education or find a decent job, people are forced to do unspeakable things. Families must send children to the streets to beg, steal, even prostitute themselves. As a result, children grow up with a very dismal outlook on life, often turning to drugs to ease their hunger and pain. McGinley founded M'Lop Tapang, an organization in the local community that works with authorities to end pedophilia, get kids off the streets, and care for such children who's future shines only dimly. The greatest weapon against this atrocity is awareness and the action that succeeds it.

Questions:

1. Why do you think pedophiles exist? (What causes them to do what they do?) 2. Do you think it is wrong to be a pedophile? Why? 3.What kinds of problems arise from half of a population being under 25 years old? How do you think these problems can be solved? 4. The article says that out of 2500 children, “90% have experienced some form of violence in their lives and 10% have endured sexual abuse. The majority of offenders are from the local community and are known to their victims.” Why do you think the offenders would abuse children that they know? 5. Why do you think John, the investment banker who left his job to help Cambodian street children, is called the “altruist”? 6. Why do you think that this problem has not been publicized and recognized? 7. Do you think that pedophilia can ever be completely prevented? 8. When the word pedophile comes to mind, do you think of a woman or a man? Why? 9. How do you think pedophiles affect their victims mentally? 10. Do you think that this movie should be in all theaters to promote the problem?

Personal Reactions:

Tara - I was shocked to find out that half of Cambodia’s population is under the age of twenty-five years old. I can see how that contributes to it being the “pedophile capitol of the world” since it has a huge percentage of children and young adults. Still yet, it is not acceptable for people to take advantage of these youngsters; instead, people should try to find a way to help them rise out of poverty, destitution, suffering. We also need to do something about sexual and physical abuse, especially in places like Cambodia that have unstable family situations and abandoned street children who cannot fend for themselves. It was also very depressing to see so many children suffering from illnesses and diseases, not to mention that they are on their own and have no one to take care of them. Even though the video opened my eyes to some bad things going on in the world, it also gave me hope that such problems can be solved since there are good, caring people out there like “The Altruist”.

Kelli- When Catherine came to talk to us about sex trafficking, I never knew it could be like this. The biggest shock to me about this video was seeing the children's faces. Looking into their round, wide, brown eyes sent chills up my spine. Finding this out is both devastating and disgusting. This is such a huge issue that definitely evokes care and concern. I'm surprised it isn't better publicized. I'm even more suprised that there aren't people out there doing more about this. The fact that there still is a problem means there is more to be done. Not to take away from the progress that has already been made, I think that the work that McGinley is doing is amazing and wonderful and selfless. It's reassuring to know that there are those who will stand up and fight for those who have been beaten down so badly they can no longer fight for themselves.

Cianna- The Altruist is a documentary about a man who saw danger and events that were not right occurring and decided to step in and make a change. I enjoyed this article and video because it reflected the severity of these children's situations that are hardly known to us here in the United States. I admire McGinley's dedication for quitting his job and devoting his hard work and determination to stopping the pedophile predicament. I would think that since the country of Cambodia is the leading pedophilia capital of the world people would have knowledge of it, but what scares me the most is that this article and video opened my eyes to this problem... for the first time.