In a remote Cambodian village, nearly 80 elementary-aged students huddle into three overcrowded classrooms. At 9 a.m., the heat creaks in, unbearable as the dry-season sun presses down on the rusted tin roof atop walls of dilapidated timber. Any space not filled with desks and students in the stifling structure is lined with small collections…
Animals, Agriculture & Livelihoods
The Business of Blessing
For families living in the slums of Cambodia, life is anything but easy. Collecting plastic and growing vegetables in urban ponds are traditional ways that residents have generated limited income. With new construction across the country forcing the poorest people to relocate, even those opportunities are dwindling. As a consequence, rates of domestic violence, gambling,…
Operation Christmas Child
‘Thank You So Much for Bringing Me to Jesus’
Millions of Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts are packed for boys and girls in need around the world each year, many of which include an email or physical address inviting the child to write back. If you have ever packed one of those boxes and wished you could hear from the child who received it,…
Animals, Agriculture & Livelihoods
Beehives Bring Big Benefits
Smoke billows out of the pot in Lorn Siangley’s hands as she seeks to calm her bees. She is working to inspect them after her harvested honey sold out. Siangley and her husband, Pom Poun, both in their early 50s, received five hives from Samaritan’s Purse a year ago. They were trained in beekeeping in…
Animals, Agriculture & Livelihoods
Raising Chickens Draws Struggling Family to Christ
The van was hot, stuffy, and crowded. It wasn’t ideal, but this seven-hour trek across the border from Cambodia into a neighboring country seemed like the last option for Vanny and her husband. They were clinging to the promise of a well-paying job that would make a better life possible. The couple had tried earning…
Construction Projects
New School, New Start
Boys and girls swarm over playground equipment—swinging, sliding, and climbing in the fresh air before heading inside for lessons chock full of new materials. Relishing in open spaces, new walls, and innovative ways in which to learn, these Cambodian children thank Samaritan’s Purse for providing them with a new, much improved school. Opened this past…
Animals, Agriculture & Livelihoods
Life Is Different Than Before
For years, El Sara’s family lived under the strain of unmet needs. Paying debts felt overwhelming, and providing for her children’s education seemed impossible. “I didn’t know who to rely on. I didn’t know what to do,” she said. “I decided to pray to God.” In the midst of that uncertainty, Samaritan’s Purse came alongside…
50 Years of Ministry
Providing Decades of Clean Water
In the fourth chapter of the Gospel of John, Jesus meets a Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well and asks her for a drink of water. As they talk, Jesus tells her about “living water,” which puzzles her. “Sir, You have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep. Where then do You get that…
Animals, Agriculture & Livelihoods
From Garden to Kingdom
From Garden to Kingdom Little seeds Buried in freshly turned earth Watered, encouraged Spring from darkness to light A miracle Tended, nurtured The plants grow green and strong Blossoming Flourishing seeds Now producing their fruit Ripened, harvested, washed Hungry? Ready to eat! Or prepared for market Sold—Joy! Income yields health Blessings Gospel seeds Hearts open to…
Discipleship, Education & Training
Anti-Trafficking Programs Help Families in Cambodia
Morning’s first light brought the promise of a long day for those already making their way across the Cambodia border into Thailand. The work awaiting them, likely in construction or agriculture, would prove brutal in the smothering heat. For families from impoverished Cambodian villages—where there’s no means of earning an income—survival depends on finding a…
