Cambodia ICD Project. April June 2011

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1 Dear supporting churches, Thank you for supporting our many projects, your gifts enable this work and your prayers encourage us in it. This is an update to show where your gifts have lead us in the last three months. We have had both successes and challenges, which we have shared with you in this update. Church Planting The past three months have been very eventful here in Ban Tey Mean Chhey province! The Church Planting Project has been busy ministering to Khmer soldiers and their families and all people on the Cambodia-Thai border, conducting Bible studies and seminars, and constructing community facilities such as community centres, wells and toilets to promote water sanitation and hygiene. Khmer soldiers receive low wages and do not have much spare time to spend with their families. Some of these families live together with the soldiers in the soldiers tents, and many do not have work thus limiting the opportunity for alternative sources of income. Church Leaders attending training photo: Member took the photo/ Cambodian Hope Organization Cell group bible study photo: Member took the photo/cambodian Hope Organization For the past 3 months the Church Planting Project has provided services such as; Provided 1 toilet in O Ampil village Provided 3 land pumps in the soldiers tent, O bahang and Sorya. Provided 2 wells in Raksmey Samaki and Khvaw Thom Established 2 youth groups with 41 members in Bos Thom and Bra Chea Thom Conducted a seminar on problem solving to 31 church leaders in Sampov Lohn Led a Bible study to 33 members in Raksmey Samaki, Kbal Spean, 51 soldiers and Church. Established 2 cell group with 29 members in Kilo13 and soldiers tents Pioneered 3 Churches with 59 members in Dorn Noy, O kach and Sorya. A non-formal school has been set up for the children of soldiers in Preas Nied Preas and O Ampal, as there are currently no formal education resources available in these areas Medical Team checked the health of 529 patients in Preah Neth Preah, Phnom Chunchang and Poipet City. The Church Planting Project also continues to follow up over 51 church leaders that have attended a seminar and prayed for them.

2 Challenges It is a challenge for some soldiers and people at the border to change their hearts as they hear the Word of God and put into practice loving relationships with their families. Some soldiers quickly fall into their old habits of verbal and physical violence when faced with conflict at home. Please pray that the hearts and minds of these soldiers will be transformed by God s love and that they will develop and demonstrate, deep respect and care for their family members. Please also pray that the soldiers will turn to God in prayer when conflict arises at the border instead of automatically turning to violence as a solution, pray that they will turn to God for guidance. Stories of Transformation My name is Moeun Heng. I am 16 years old. I have 8 members in my family. I am the 6 th in my family. I live in Boeung Draw Koun Village, Siry Mean Chhey Commune, Sampov Lonh District, Battambang Province. I never went to school because I live in a rural area where there is no public school. I am also busy helping my parents. I regret not being educated. I felt that I was living blind, as even though I wanted to find a job, I didn t have the ability to work like others. I felt hopeless. However, Cambodian Hope Organisation came to my village and provided a school in my village. I am very happy because I have the opportunity to study. I am able to read and write. I went to church and became involved in activities and felt that God was calling me to be Sunday School teacher. He has given me new hope and raised me from the darkness and blindness. He especially has freed me from the bondage of Satan that tied my life for many years. I am depending on God day by day and let him control my life because I want to be a wise person. In the future I will be able to continue to teach others. I want to do God s ministry. I thank God that He sent Cambodian Hope Organisation to train me. Please continue to bring new lessons and teach new skills to people who live in the jungle. Cambodian Hope Organisation is the only organisation who visits my village to conduct seminars and it gives us new hope. Please God, bless Cambodian Hope Organisation and continue to run this project for a long time to many villages.

3 Points for prayer Please pray for the soldiers and their families that they will hear and act on the Word of God. Please pray for these families and in particular those that are affected by HIV. Please pray for the children in the safe houses, as a few of them are sick. Please pray for the funding for the Bible school at Safe Haven. CHO currently does not have the funding to finish it. Please pray for funding for a new project teaching soldiers about trafficking. Please pray for the funding of Library building at Safe Haven. CHO currently does not have the funding to finish it. Please pray for Safe Army Project to have more funding available to conduct training to soldiers and police at each border and rural area in Ban Tey Mean Chhey and Battambang Province. Please pray that CHO staff will continue to be motivated and encouraged with their work. With the next 3 months will come with a new set of challenges for the Project Please pray that we will be able to set up two new cell groups and one church in Poipet. Please pray that we will have the time to conduct at least two training sessions in the next three months for these plans. Please pray for those that attend our future seminars, that God will bless them in a special way. Please also pray for the Church planting team ministers and all the staff at CHO. Pray that they will hear the Word of God and be encouraged, renewed, and transformed. Please pray for the increased capacity-building of CHO staff and their continued professional development. Church Planting is seeking to mobilise 13 churches in Cambodia to work with our local communities to bring about long term sustainable change. We work mostly in Poipet and Ban Tey Mean Chhey province, with about 13 churches and 51 beneficiaries.

4 Child Awareness and School Sponsorship Project Information During the past three months, the Anti-Trafficking Project has held many activities such as providing education and the message of awareness to build knowledge and prevent domestic violence, child trafficking and child sexual abuse through showing a presentation to them. Um Pirun is training teachers, village leaders and students. Photo: Leoun Sieha/Cambodian Hope Organization Activities included: Provided vitamins and de-worming medication to over 57 children from 5 villages such as Prey Korp, Toum Norp Kor5, Km4, Bra Chea Thom and Palilay. Conducted workshop training to children at school through a presentation 6 times. Over 578 children attended, including 298 girls. Trained women working at a club over 87 attended. Taught to children in the communities through the use of flip charts. 68 children, including 38 girls attended from 3 villages: Km4, Bra Chea Thom and Safe Haven Center. Provided counselling to children and parents of over 27 families in O Neang villages and Prey Prech. Conducted training to parents on domestic violence in families at the Parent Peace Center. Over 35 parents attended. Met with BIG-C about how to protect children over 29 participants. Trained parents and students about children s rights over 60 parent and 30 children in Prey Korp Taught children about child sexual abuse - over 555 children attended from 12 schools. Attended a meeting with BVST about how to protect children over 29 participants. Visited students that receive school materials - 20 families.

5 Stories of Transformation My name is Van Chan Dy. I am studying grade 5 at Kilo4. My father s name is Van Dara and my mother s name is Chea Chanda. My mother works at home doing housework. I live in Kilo4 village, Poipet commune, Poipet city, Ban Tey Mean Chey province. Before I received education training from CHO s project, I never knew about child sexual abuse and how to prevent it. When I was by myself I went out alone and to quiet places but after I received training by CHO s staff, I learnt that it is easy to be at risk. I understand more clearly and now know many ways to prevent it for myself. I am also able to help other children that could be at risk. I am thankful that CHO s staff came to teach a message of awareness to prevent of child trafficking and child sexual abuse to me and my other friends. I hope that CHO s project will come to provide more training that is useful for children. Sophy Kann (report writer) Sophy is a beautiful woman who works in administration and translation for CHO. She lives in Poipet, Cambodia with her wonderful friends in Ly Heng Chaay. About the projects All projects are seeking to spread the word of God in many ways. We are trying to reach lost souls, and transform their lives.