A TISSUE of lies is fed to unsuspecting parents in several Asian countries involving the promise of a bright future for their sons and daughters abroad.

The "employment agents" give their word that the children will receive a good education and that they will be cared for.

A typical promise goes like this: "After five years, she (he) will be able to provide a better life for the whole family. Don't worry."

Once the usually illiterate rural, and some urban, folk are convinced that their young ones will return in a few short years pockets full of money earned from their "jobs", they hand over their children.

And that may very well be the last they see of them.

This is the story that is repeated again and again in China, Indonesia, Laos, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.

Malaysia comes into the picture as a transit point for these children.

Unicef representative in Malaysia Youssouf Oomar said many of the parents involved were unaware that they were signing away their children's futures when they handed them over to the sweet-talkers.

These parents think they are securing a better future for their children, an escape from poverty.

They do not realise that their children are actually being put to work in factories, plantations and even brothels.

Parents only realise something is wrong when they do not receive any news from their children for several months.

But by then, it is too late as enforcement agencies won't be able to track down the child.

Youssouf said trafficking in children had a devastating effect on their families and the community they belonged to.

The children are exposed to physical and psychological harm. These scars, especially psychological ones, will not go away overnight but require years of counselling.

He said the children were also victims of malnutrition, lack of rest, poor healthcare and an absence of education. "It is a vicious cycle of poverty and exploitation of children. At the same time, it strengthens organised crime."

Also read:
» Malaysia is transit point

» Meeting the child traffickers head-on

» Refugees fleeing war often among victims