Increasing Impact

Last year we shared with you the transformation of Prey Romeas, a community with a difficult history that extends all the way back to the mid 1990s. Poverty and desperation have made the youth in this area vulnerable to criminal activity, drugs and alcoholism. However, through the loving example of Pastor Sophea, young adults and families are seeing firsthand the hope Christ’s love offers. Together we constructed a community center that would house an outreach program and build on the newfound openness for Christianity in the community.

The outreach center opened in December. It includes an office-skills training school and library, as well as sports programs and church activities. The training school already has 189 students!

Fifteen-year-old Thea (name has been changed) shared with us the impact studying at the center has made on her life:

I am so happy when I study English there because I have made some new friends and my teachers are good. As I have studied English there, I have noticed that my English skills have improved and also I have grown spiritually. Before I started coming to the center, I hated studying. I liked to skip school very often and l lied to my parents and used their money to go hang out with my friends. But when I attended the Prey Romeas center, I saw my character begin to change. It makes me feel happy when I am studying because my teachers always encourage me to study hard, and now I can read and write and even speak English with foreigners too. I hope that in the future I can use my skills to help my brothers and sisters and the next generation to have the same opportunities to develop their lives as me. 

I have found that since I have attended this school I have learned more about God. I am now a young Christian. I thank God that He always helps me to use my gifts in the children’s program and other areas. I really want to see this school help and reach out to more students in the next and following generations.  Through this school, I believe many lives will be changed.

Thea’s right! We believe that so many more lives will be transformed! Another goal of the center is to reach out to the young women working at the growing number of garment factories that surround the community. Already, a number of them are coming to our computer classes and even inviting their friends. This community center, in its beginning stages, is already pre-positioned to encourage and protect women who are vulnerable to exploitation because of their low wages and hard labour. We hope that as you read about the increasing impact of programs like the community center in Prey Romeas, you will also be blessed.