A young woman starts saving money for her business with the help of Samaritan’s Purse
Sreytom lives in northeastern Cambodia with her parents. She recently participated in the Samaritan’s Purse program Strengthening Women and Families Together.
Editor’s Note: During the Khmer Rouge Regime in Cambodia, people were taught not to love their families more than the Khmer Organization. This idea continues to affect Cambodians today, often showing itself in the form of violence. The Strengthening Women and Families Together project works to increase women’s community support and opportunities to participate in decision-making while decreasing violence against them.
I dropped out of school before sixth grade. My neighbors ignored me because they thought I was ignorant. But I had a goal to start my own business. I just didn’t know how to get started.
One day, Samaritan’s Purse came to my village to teach women lessons about preparing plans for their lives, among other things. During these lessons, I remembered my dream to run a business, and with Samaritan’s Purse help, I started saving money. Because of the lessons Samaritan’s Purse taught me, I’m confident enough to carry out my goal and achieve my dream.
This project has helped me so much that I want to help other youth in my community. I’ve started sharing these lessons with the youth in my village by using pictures. They listen to me because they know that I learned them from Samaritan’s Purse. Now I have a good relationship with my neighbors, unlike before when they ignored me.
Through each lesson, I have learned about Jesus, and now I’m thinking about believing in Him. My life has greatly improved, and I thank Samaritan’s Purse for that.
