Prum Vannak's ordeal - Horrors of human slavery revealed in art - Heng - Picasa Web Albums

Prum Vannak's ordeal - Horrors of human slavery revealed in art

 

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Prum, 33, is a former monk. He hopes that his drawings will help to put a stop to this modern form of slavery. Courtesy of Vannak Anan Prum

Vannak Anan Prum of Cambodia was a victim of human trafficking. He became a virtual slave on a Thai fishing boat for three years before escaping. His story is told here through his original artwork. This drawing shows Prum and his wife. Courtesy of Vannak Anan Prum

Prum, 33, is a former monk. He hopes that his drawings will help to put a stop to this modern form of slavery. Courtesy of Vannak Anan Prum

Prum was recognized Tuesday by the State Department as one of 10 "heroes" in the fight against human trafficking. Courtesy of Vannak Anan Prum

In 2006, Prum traveled illegally to Thailand to look for work. He and others were hidden in the bed of a pickup truck for the trip. Courtesy of Vannak Anan Prum

In Thailand, Prum and other job-seekers were kept in a locked room. Courtesy of Vannak Anan Prum

He was forced to work on a fishing boat for 20 hours a day. Those who could not perform were beaten, thrown overboard or killed. Courtesy of Vannak Anan Prum

Prum says he saw a man decapitated and his body tossed into the sea. Courtesy of Vannak Anan Prum

Even those who tried jumping ship could not stray far; the boat would just turn around and retrieve them. Courtesy of Vannak Anan Prum

When the boat stopped in Malaysia, Prum and his cousin escaped, swimming to shore. running to the jungles of Malaysia. Courtesy of Vannak Anan Prum

Prum and his cousin went to the police for help, but they were placed in jail — it was another trap. Courtesy of Vannak Anan Prum

Two men paid the Maylasian police for Prum, who was then taken to a palm oil plantation and forced to work for extremely low wages for four months. Courtesy of Vannak Anan Prum

For his work on the palm oil plantation, Prum made only enough money to buy a single carton of cigarettes. Courtesy of Vannak Anan Prum

Prum was injured on the plantation by other workers, who started a sword fight. After he was hospitalized, he found himself again behind bars. Courtesy of Vannak Anan Prum

Prum’s mother was ultimately contacted and notified of her son's fate. Manfred Hornung — a legal adviser with a Cambodian human rights organization. Courtesy of Vannak Anan Prum

Prum Vannak's ordeal - Horrors of human slavery revealed in art - Heng - Picasa Web Albums