The Paper Daughters of Chinatown

by Heather B. Moore

“Good night, Donaldina. Tomorrow is a new day. The sun will shine through the darkness you’ve experienced tonight. We must always be grateful for the blessings we do have. Tonight, one more Chinese girl is safe.” Dolly nodded. After the director left, she switched off the lamp. She was afraid to see her reflection in the mirror and remember what her eyes had seen. As she shed her outer clothing in the dark, tears slipped down her cheeks as she wondered how many other abused women and girls were out there beyond the walls of the mission home. Needing to be rescued.

As I researched the stories of the mission home, and how much work they had before them--I felt overwhelmed because I knew the work never ended and still continues today. Human trafficking is still prevalent in our society, and it makes me angry, discouraged, and feeling helpless at times. So many of Donaldina Cameron and her fellow mission home staff members experienced setbacks and many challenges. But I was also inspired by their perseverance and stamina, as well as their willingness to continue in the overall fight even when they lost some battles.