Episode #303: Hagar the Wonderful
"When Hagar started in 1994, it was right after the Khmer Rouge, when the UN forces were in Cambodia and Phnom Penh, and keeping the peace. So there were still fighting. There was no infrastructure. All of the elite had been killed, and it was sort of this rebirth. It started with a woman who had been abused by her employer and had a baby, and sort of grew organically from people knowing that this person was helping, and then realizing there was a need to actually make this into an NGO."
Hagar International, initially established in Cambodia by Pierre Tami in 1994, is a humanitarian organization that focuses on providing comprehensive recovery, empowerment and reintegration services to individuals who have suffered from extreme human rights abuses such as trafficking, slavery, and domestic violence. The organization's name, inspired by the biblical figure Hagar, symbolizes resilience and refuge. In this episode, we are joined by Catherine Kirkendall, Executive Director of Hagar’s U.S. office, who talks about the evolution of Hagar from its inception in Cambodia to its present, multinational presence as a force for good.
Kirkendall begins by providing historical context about Cambodia in the early 1990s. It was then a nation just emerging from the devastation of the Khmer Rouge era, riddled with extreme challenges. It had been left socially and politically unstable, with virtually non-existent infrastructure, leaving the most vulnerable—women and children—to fend for themselves. Hagar's humble beginning quickly evolved as the widespread need for systemic, institutional support in Cambodia became evident.
During the early 2000s, Hagar moved away from institutional care, adopting more supportive family- and community-based care models to ensure stability and foster intimate, nurturing environments. This shift aligned with a broader global recognition of the negative impacts institutional care can have on children's well-being, including developmental delays, emotional detachment, and a lack of personalized attention. Embracing family-based care, Hagar aimed to provide children with consistent emotional support, stronger community connections, and a profound sense of belonging—factors essential for healthy development. In partnership with the Cambodian government, Hagar played a pivotal role in transitioning from institutional dependency to foster care, a gradual, multi-year effort that led to lasting and meaningful change.
Prior to this point, Cambodia had been promoting the infamous policy of "orphanage tourism." In this exploitative system, orphanages deliberately kept children in neglected states to appeal to tourists seeking emotionally gratifying experiences, with some institutions even resorting to abduction to maintain a steady flow of children. The issue flourished due to international ignorance, with well-meaning tourists unknowingly contributing to harm by visiting orphanages or donating money, believing they were helping. Over time, however, increased awareness and concerted efforts by the Cambodian government and NGOs led to the dismantling of this harmful system, steering the focus toward family- and community-based care.
Kirkendall also describes Hagar's efforts to change cultural narratives in Cambodia. Traditionally, boys were characterized as "steel"—resilient and unbreakable—as opposed to girls, who were likened to "white cloth," that is, easily tainted and devalued by abuse. This cultural backdrop made it particularly challenging to work with male survivors of abuse, who faced entrenched social stigma. Over the years, Hagar has worked to change this narrative, promoting the idea that boys are also vulnerable, and that a girl's value is not diminished by abuse.
Kirkendall then addresses Hagar's operations in Myanmar, where they have been working for over a decade. She explains that their focus there is on capacity building and education, partnering with local organizations such as Myanmar's Youth Knowledge Workers Alliance (YKWA), which has extensive reach across the country. Hagar trains local NGOs in trauma-informed care, equipping them to handle the pervasive trauma resulting from both trafficking and political conflict.
Kirkendall next explains the concept of "trauma-informed care," which is informed by a scientific understanding of the neurological and emotional impact of trauma on the brain, and integrates this awareness into every aspect of care, from case management to education. In fact, this informs Hagar's overall approach not only in Myanmar but to all of Hagar's operations, as they seek to address both psychological and emotional recovery. Developed from studies in psychology and psychiatry, trauma-informed care emphasizes that trauma profoundly affects brain function and emotional regulation, necessitating specialized interventions that promote safety and healing. To successfully work with someone suffering from trauma requires deep empathy and informed support.
However, in the case of Myanmar, the military coup there has significantly disrupted their operations. At the same time, it has also made Hagar’s work all the more essential. The political instability has led to increased insecurity, putting marginalized communities, particularly women and children, at greater risk of domestic abuse, trafficking and exploitation. Because of this, Hagar remains steadfast in its commitment to trauma counseling and resilience-building, ensuring interventions are culturally appropriate and sustainable. This consistency is key in maintaining trust with affected communities. Economic empowerment programs, in addition, have become key in helping communities reduce the risks of trafficking and abuse by providing alternative livelihoods. The need for community-focused prevention programs is stronger than ever, given the breakdown of infrastructure and heightened economic instability.
Moving on to Hagar's work in other regions, Kirkendall describes their efforts in Afghanistan, which began in 2008. They have primarily focused on helping boys who were victims of Bacha Bazi—the coercion of young boys into sexualized dancing and abuse at the hands of older men. While Hagar’s mission there is ultimately to do more for women, the cultural and operational constraints under the extremely misogynistic Taliban restrict their focus at this point in time primarily to helping children.
Kirkendall then turns to Thailand. She notes that the exploitation of children is often connected to desperate decisions families make in the face of extreme poverty, which can include selling children into the sex trade. In Thailand’s case, its thriving tourist industry, sadly, has a complex relationship with the sex industry, involving both adults and children. Hagar collaborates with local authorities in Thailand to address this terrible situation, focusing on building strong legal cases to ensure convictions. Their work aligns with efforts by both local and international groups to provide comprehensive child protection services.
Kirkendall then transitions to the concept of restorative justice. She explains that a key component of restoration is helping victims “regain their power.” For many, this involves seeing justice served, either through local courts or through international legal systems. She recounts a particular case of young boys who had been sexually abused by an American in Cambodia, and whom they helped testify against in both Cambodia and the U.S. This emotionally taxing act allowed the victims to reclaim a sense of agency.
One of the recurring themes in the discussion is the complex process of reintegration into society for survivors. Kirkendall emphasizes the need to uplift survivors while engaging with the communities into which they are returning, which often involves addressing societal stigmas surrounding abuse, in order to create a supportive environment that allows individuals to thrive.
Kirkendall concludes by reflecting on the significant challenge of combating not just individual incidents of abuse, but also the structures that facilitate or enable it. She underscores the necessity of continuing to build capacity and push cultural changes to foster environments that prevent exploitation. This includes advocating for systemic changes, such as improved legal protections for survivors, enhanced educational opportunities, and long-term economic empowerment programs to break cycles of poverty and abuse.
"It is tough. It is very hard," she acknowledges of the work. "All that we can do is focus on the individuals that we can work with and know that each individual then causes that ripple in their own community. And so it's that focus on each person, because otherwise, you look at the whole and it does become overwhelming and depressing."
If you found this conversation of interest, we recommend these past podcast episodes that explore similar themes:
· Patrick Burgess speaks about his journey as an international human rights lawyer and musician. In the case of Myanmar, he calls attention to the struggles of ordinary people forced into extraordinary acts of resistance, echoing the challenges of transforming nonviolent lives into agents of change amidst turmoil. His reflections, grounded in decades of work in conflict zones, touch upon the profound resilience and sacrifices demanded of people when confronted by oppressive regimes, aligning with broader narratives of courage and community under duress.
· Matthew Wells describes how his work documenting human rights violations and war crimes in Myanmar reveals the military's pervasive use of collective punishment against civilian populations. His insights into the multi-layered crises in Myanmar emphasize the need for persistent international attention and support, and resonate with the broader struggles for justice and recognition in marginalized communities around the world.
· Hnin Thet Hmu Khin explains how her activism highlights the significant yet underrepresented role of women in Myanmar's revolution, challenging traditional gender norms that limit their participation in decision-making and frontline combat. Her perspective focuses attention on the intersection of societal transformation and gender equity, showcasing the untapped potential of women as pivotal agents of change.
· Marlar talks about the ways that traditional Burmese cultural and religious norms enforce gender hierarchies, a pattern exacerbated by political and social crises. Her analysis of patriarchal structures within Myanmar's history and contemporary society illuminates the enduring challenges women face in achieving meaningful representation and equality.
· Chuu Wai Nyein says that her art, shaped in part by societal upheaval, portrays the resilience and struggles of women, using vibrant imagery to challenge Myanmar’s conservative norms. Her fusion of feminist themes with revolutionary symbolism creates a compelling narrative of cultural resistance and the pursuit of equality during a time of profound national change.