English 089 - Somaly Mam Coping with Differences

...

It was definitely difficult for Somaly Mam to go through change, even though she wanted it more than anything there were certain things she had to adjust to. She was raised to trust no one and she strongly believed that everyone was the same. Ms. Mam and Pierre Legros eventually moved to France together, they stayed there for eighteen months. She felt safe with this man but she also had a backup plan if he tried to sell her. She says “ I packed my suitcase and slipped a sharp knife inside it. If Pierre tries to sell me when we get to France, I said to myself, then I'll kill him”(Mam 94). Ms. Mam was ready for anything, this shows how strong she is as a women.

Over in France Somaly Mam faced many differences. She began working a job as a house keeper at a hotel. She was making much more money than she was when she was a prostitute in Cambodia. She earned 2,500 a month, she was very happy about this salary because in Cambodia you only earn that much money within a year. She was not used to this lifestyle, in fact she did not know what a vacation was because she was used to working hard every day. Eventually Ms. Mam and Pierre went back to Cambodia. So far Somaly Mam has learned a lot and has gained the respect that she wanted. For example she says “ I had changed a lot during the eighteen months we'd been living in France. I worked honest jobs. I learned to look people in the eye and communicate with them directly, as equal”(Mam 107). Going to France allowed Ms. Mam to see life in a different perspective. It taught her that she can prove her point and be the bigger and better person. She is now aware that she can fulfill any goal that she wishes.