Cambodia

Update: February 2012

Cheryl Weber gives us an update on our Cambodia Missions and her experience climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in order to raise funds for sexually trafficked children in Cambodia.

Cambodia Cries Out

UPDATE OCTOBER 2011

We are pleased to report that the past year has yielded great results in each of the programs we are partnering in. 

Numbers continue to increase in the rescue and rehabilitation of girls who were being sexually exploited.  Ongoing psychosocial, mental, emotional and spiritual support is provided.  Education and vocational training are important components, along with recreational activities that helps provide the girls healthy social interaction.  

Ministry to the Vietnamese communities along the Ton Le Sap lake is touching and changing the lives of many.  Children and adults alike attend bible classes wanting to hear about the Gospel.  Medical care and feeding programs are showing the love of Christ in practical ways.

The preschool children attending the Joy Daycare Center surrounding the dump community has increased in numbers.  Young boys and girls are receiving food, medical attention and a safe haven for a few hours each day.

Most importantly in all of these projects is the proclamation and evidence of the love of Christ being expressed and hope being instilled.

Thank you for supporting our efforts in changing and impacting lives in Cambodia.

A number of years ago we were first introduced to Cambodia and the atrocities that took place there under the horrific regime of Pol Pot in the “killing fields”.  At that time we shared the devastating impact it had and the long and difficult recovery Cambodia has been faced with. 

It is with the grace and compassion of God, that we have had the opportunity to once again, bring to your attention some of the difficult and deplorable situations facing young children in Cambodia.  Below are four wonderful ministries we are partnering with that are working in Cambodia reaching into the depths of the garbage dump community, the sexual exploitation of young girls and the Vietnamese.

Sex Trade Industry

An estimated 20,000 females are engaged in the sex trade industry in Cambodia.  Of these 20% are believed to be victims of human trafficking. “Kunthy and Chanda” are two young girls aged 13 and 14 who were trafficked into prostitution.  They were held captive, raped, drugged and routinely beaten by their brothel keeper and pimps.

International Justice Mission Canada, affiliate of U.S. based IJM is a Christian human rights agency that secures justice for victims of slavery, sexual exploitation and other forms of violent oppression.  After discovering the horrifying imprisonment of Kunthy and Chanda, IJM worked with local authorities to ensure the rescue of the girls.

IJM Cambodia staff ensured that the girls were placed in loving, professional aftercare homes.  Kunthy and Chanda are now thriving, having traded the nightmare of abuse for lives that girls of their age should be living. 

The Ratanak Foundation is a Canadian relief and development organization working in Cambodia since 1989.  It is to this country, universally known as the "killing Fields", that they have been called to serve as a blessing to those who suffer in isolation and dangerous environments. 

Since 2003 Ratanak has worked to find and rehabilitate children sold into sex slavery.  Children and young women, abused and considered sub-human and merely a product to be consumed, they live in unimaginable darkness.  To serve these children and offer them hope, dignity, and the knowledge that they are of profound value to Christ, the refugee King, in no easy task.  It represents the greatest challenge and the greatest rewards of our 20 years of work in Cambodia.

Helping Kids In Phnom Penh's Notorious Dump

Phnom Penh's dump is notorious around the world, with 2,000 people scavenging in its burning and rotting trash heap to try to make a living. Even worse, up to 600 of those workers are kids. In January 2009, Crossroads Missions helped launch a day care near the dump where children have the opportunity to be fed, clothed, and educated.

Vietnamese Boat Ministry

The "Love your Neighbor" ministry which began with Rick and Beth Drummond, reaching out and sharing the gospel with the Vietnamese is continuing under the leadership of CAMA. 

The Vietnamese are at the bottom of the social and economic strata in Cambodia and are primarily concerned with survival.  Because of their lack of education, their ability to find decent employment is marginal and families have turned in desperation to behavior that most people in other parts of the world find unthinkable and despicable.
Many of them have established “floating”communities surrounding the Ton Le Sap lake. 

It is in these communities that 4 new schools have been opened providing Christian education to over 175 children who may not have had the opportunity otherwise.

Along with the schools is a “floating community centre” which is a large barge type boat that allows travel up the Ton Le Sap lake, providing physical, emotional and spiritual needs of the people. Teams will be sent to administer medical and dental care and provide water filters as well as sharing the gospel.

Please join us as we support the work in these three great areas of need, changing lives one at a time.

Garbage Recycling

During our visit in 2002, we encountered the living conditions of people surrounding the garbage recycling community and never forgot what we witnessed. Families were eaking out an existance living in horresndous condiitions earning $1.00 a day.

The garbage dump surrounding Phnom Penh has now closed and many of these families are facing an even more difficult life because they have lost their source of income.  Unfortuntely, the children suffer because of the lack of food and money.

Setan Lee, founder of Transform Asia is very aware of the situtation children are facing in this community.  Through an outreach program, pre-schoolers are now being transported to a safe friendly facility where they are bathed, fed and cared for during the day. Children are also receiving medical care and education.