Cambodia
Our “new” Cambodia team of three Filipino women has been on the ground in Phnom Penh since April 2022, when the border opened after the Covid-19 Pandemic.
Life in Phnom Penh
Life in Phnom Penh presents a paradox: it’s becoming both easier and harder. While communication with locals has improved and we can understand and describe some situations despite not being fluent, the daily stories of hardship can be overwhelming.
Our home is filled with durable wooden items like wine boxes, Jenga blocks, and pallet tables, donated by a local friend. These items are ideal for the kids’ energetic play and help in their development. It’s wonderful to see them using these simple tools creatively, rather than relying on mobile devices. Activities like hair braiding, eating unripe mangoes with chili, salt, and sugar, and coloring bring joy to our home.
Local volunteers
We’re excited that Dyna and his brother, Poly, are back volunteering in the community. Dyna, who recently graduated, is taking an additional course, while Poly has started his first year at university. They help organize the Kids Club every Saturday morning, where the children play, watch movies, engage in group games, and learn about health, crafts, creation care, and education.
With support from local friends, we’ve learned that education is crucial for breaking the cycle of poverty. While many parents continue struggling with gambling and drinking, focusing on the kids might make a difference. We understand that breaking this cycle is neither easy nor quick, but we’re committed to sharing our time, energy, skills, and love with the children. We’re not trying to be heroes or replace a school; we believe that education and awareness can inspire change.
Our “new” Cambodia team of three Filipino women has been on the ground in Phnom Penh since April 2022, when the border opened after the Covid-19 Pandemic.
Life in Phnom Penh
Life in Phnom Penh presents a paradox: it’s becoming both easier and harder. While communication with locals has improved and we can understand and describe some situations despite not being fluent, the daily stories of hardship can be overwhelming.
Our home is filled with durable wooden items like wine boxes, Jenga blocks, and pallet tables, donated by a local friend. These items are ideal for the kids’ energetic play and help in their development. It’s wonderful to see them using these simple tools creatively, rather than relying on mobile devices. Activities like hair braiding, eating unripe mangoes with chili, salt, and sugar, and coloring bring joy to our home.
Local volunteers
We’re excited that Dyna and his brother, Poly, are back volunteering in the community. Dyna, who recently graduated, is taking an additional course, while Poly has started his first year at university. They help organize the Kids Club every Saturday morning, where the children play, watch movies, engage in group games, and learn about health, crafts, creation care, and education.
With support from local friends, we’ve learned that education is crucial for breaking the cycle of poverty. While many parents continue struggling with gambling and drinking, focusing on the kids might make a difference. We understand that breaking this cycle is neither easy nor quick, but we’re committed to sharing our time, energy, skills, and love with the children. We’re not trying to be heroes or replace a school; we believe that education and awareness can inspire change.
Activities
From Monday to Friday afternoons, we focus on teaching basic English to a small group of kids from the slum. This routine is challenging but rewarding, and we’re grateful for the rhythm we’ve established. We start small to provide focused attention and manage our own limits, with mornings dedicated to hanging out, coloring, and playing.
We began by teaching ABCs to a few pre-teens (ages 9-11) who attend a local public school but can’t afford extra English classes. These kids show promise and a desire to learn. Although we aren’t professional teachers, we believe that introducing them to basic English will boost their confidence and enhance their educational opportunities. We hope that this support will inspire them to dream of a better future.
Sundays are a highlight as the kids join us for Sunday school at our nearby church. Sometimes the teens come along too, and church members often joke that we look like a duck with ducklings. We didn’t pressure them to attend, but our regular visits seem to have piqued their interest. We’re grateful for this opportunity to share our time and believe that God is working through these small but significant steps.
Things are constantly changing, and we need to stay flexible. This might be how Jesus teaches us and reveals His power in our daily lives. Although planning can be overwhelming, we trust that God is in control and is working something better.
Activities
From Monday to Friday afternoons, we focus on teaching basic English to a small group of kids from the slum. This routine is challenging but rewarding, and we’re grateful for the rhythm we’ve established. We start small to provide focused attention and manage our own limits, with mornings dedicated to hanging out, coloring, and playing.
We began by teaching ABCs to a few pre-teens (ages 9-11) who attend a local public school but can’t afford extra English classes. These kids show promise and a desire to learn. Although we aren’t professional teachers, we believe that introducing them to basic English will boost their confidence and enhance their educational opportunities. We hope that this support will inspire them to dream of a better future.
Sundays are a highlight as the kids join us for Sunday school at our nearby church. Sometimes the teens come along too, and church members often joke that we look like a duck with ducklings. We didn’t pressure them to attend, but our regular visits seem to have piqued their interest. We’re grateful for this opportunity to share our time and believe that God is working through these small but significant steps.
Things are constantly changing, and we need to stay flexible. This might be how Jesus teaches us and reveals His power in our daily lives. Although planning can be overwhelming, we trust that God is in control and is working something better.
Ways to Get Involved
The team would love to have your support, through prayer, donations, or by joining them in their ministry with the urban poor in Phnom Penh.
Pray
- for Dyna and Poly – that they may continue to positively impact the lives of the kids in our Sensok community.
- for Carol – for wisdom and strength as she holds her calling in Cambodia alongside supporting her mother and brother in the Philippines, through big health challenges
- for Myra and Eunice – to discover a new balance that helps them recharge from their community work.
- For more team members to join, whether Filipino, other Asians, or from other countries
Financial Support
To contribute financially, see more information on our Financial Partners page, or contact the Servants Linking Team in your country. You can also write directly to the Philippines Linking Team, who look after the team’s finances, at psap[at]servantsasia.org.
Join the team
If God is drawing you to serve alongside these women, among the poor and oppressed of Cambodia, please be in touch! Not sure about joining long term? We welcome you to apply for an internship, as a first step.
Ways to Get Involved
The team would love to have your support, through prayer, donations, or by joining them in their ministry with the urban poor in Phnom Penh.
Pray
- for Dyna and Poly – that they may continue to positively impact the lives of the kids in our Sensok community.
- for Carol – for wisdom and strength as she holds her calling in Cambodia alongside supporting her mother and brother in the Philippines, through big health challenges
- for Myra and Eunice – to discover a new balance that helps them recharge from their community work.
- For more team members to join, whether Filipino, other Asians, or from other countries
Financial Support
To contribute financially, see more information on our Financial Partners page, or contact the Servants Linking Team in your country. You can also write directly to the Philippines Linking Team, who look after the team’s finances, at psap[at]servantsasia.org.
Join the team
If God is drawing you to serve alongside these women, among the poor and oppressed of Cambodia, please be in touch! Not sure about joining long term? We welcome you to apply for an internship, as a first step.
Building on Deep Foundations
The current team made a fresh start in 2022, but they are building on an amazing legacy of Servants work in Phnom Penh since the early 1990s. At that time, a team of medical professionals were contracted by the government to serve the health needs of people in one district of Phnom Penh. Ever since then, new workers build on the learnings and relationships of earlier workers and local people of peace who have been connected to Servants Cambodia over many years. Read more about past people and ministry in Phnom Penh here.
The team sends a newsletter with updates and prayer points. If you would like to be added to the mailing list, please write to CMission172[at]gmail.com.
Newsletter
The team sends a newsletter with updates and prayer points. If you would like to be added to the mailing list, please write to CMission172[at]gmail.com.
