Part 3/13:
Many of these girls grew up without knowing their origins. As narrated by survivors, their childhoods were marked by neglect, forced labor, and emotional scars. Some recall being taken from their families at dawn, working from a very young age in agriculture—collecting seaweed, planting, and harvesting—often amidst physical punishment and emotional rejection.
One girl, Chen Lilan, described being taken in when her umbilical cord had not yet fallen. Her adoptive family, like many others, did not treat her as their biological daughter but as a servant, a sentiment echoed by others who felt they were seen merely as commodities or burdens. They lacked education, protection, and the emotional security that comes with a familial bond.