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Shattered Childhoods
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In Cambodia, hundreds of orphanages house thousands of children, but they are not all parentless. Often children may have one or both parents, but they are sent to an orphanage because their parents can’t afford to care for them. Thanks to a program of The United Methodist Church, many have a place to go … and spiritual guidance. | ||
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Set back off this country road in northern Cambodia, there is a refuge.
This is a place where almost everyone can tell you a story of pain and suffering.
Chanthy Yi, interpreter: “Her story is very sad.”
Like 12-year-old Ryna – her father died in the war and her mother was killed while harvesting rice when she stepped on a land mine. Or 10-year-old Pani – his parents dropped him off here while they went to look for work in neighboring Thailand. He’s still waiting for them to come back for him. It’s been five years.
Chanthy Yi, interpreter: “She’s very happy to be here. She has a lot of hope to have a long future and good ones.”
Ryna feels this way in part due to the efforts of United Methodist pastor, Kheng Pho. He knows suffering; he’s lived it.
Chanthy Yi, interpreter: “He went to fight on the battlefield and stepped on a mine and it exploded … and then chopped off his feet.”
No matter what the circumstance, children of all ages are welcome here. Parents on their way to Thailand often leave their children to be cared for while they seek employment.
Here, they are provided food, love, spiritual guidance and a refuge from despair.
Shattered Childhoods – Tag:
If you would like to donate to this orphanage, you can do so by sending your gift to Edwin Francisco with the Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church. Be sure to tell him it is specifically for the Cambodian account.