Part of the economic reality in Cambodia is the lack of jobs. Kambour village, which is very poor, very rural*, and almost exclusively agricultural is much worse off than average. With the ongoing drought, the majority of people that are able have left to find work. Many will cross the nearby border with Thailand. Because that trip is so dangerous the kids are usually left at home with grandparents, friends, or even older siblings.
The feeding center was started to fill this urgent need! Currently it feeds approximately 150 kids six times a week. They do some bible stories and games. A small school house is nearing completion.
While the feeding center is only for children, Transform Asia wanted to do something for the families that are taking care of these kids. That's what we were there for, distributing tons of rice to the caretakers. After the program a beautiful old grandma brought her young granddaughter Joy up to me so she could say ar kun (thank you) over and over. Through a translator she went on and on about how thankful she was to have this place. She still struggles, but without the regular food for Joy, she would have starved.
Probably the highlight was watching as the Musicinaries handed out children's Bibles and school supplies for the kids! They were so happy! Some wanted to show them off. Others couldn't wait to sit down and start looking through them.
*There is a big government project to provide electricity to the general area, they are hoping it will come to their little village.
Waiting for the presentation to start:
The kids lining up to get their children's bibles and school supplies.
No comments:
Post a Comment