From the bottom of our hearts, we want to thank you – because of your generosity, 725 children and young people have been able to go to school so far this year. Your regular donations and the fundraising campaigns on Betterplace have made it possible to provide enough school kits to support them.
Education protects children from potential exploitation and human trafficking.
Too many children from disadvantaged families in Cambodia stop school after the 6th grade – or even earlier – to help support their families. Some are sent to other cities or countries, facing uncertainty and risks that are hard to imagine.
Child labor alone is reason enough to take action , but for some children, the dangers go even further, ranging from unpaid exploitation to abduction and forced prostitution.
This is exactly why we partner with several primary schools: we provide regular educational sessions, encourage children and their parents to stay committed to learning, and deliver school kits and bicycles to families who might otherwise struggle to keep their children in school.
For almost two years now, we have been active in five villages, and we are seeing wonderful changes, especially through education-based prevention. In our previous newsletters, we’ve shared stories about individual children. We are deeply thankful for these positive developments and feel certain that we are working in the right places.
Here are a few examples of how support from us—and from you—truly makes a difference in the lives of children:
EDUCATION, NOT CHILD LABOUR
A local mayor told us about a boy who had to leave school after 6th grade. His family couldn’t afford the necessary school supplies, and the secondary school was too far to reach without transportation. He was expected to go to the city to work.
Our team spoke with the family, encouraging them to support their son’s education. We provided him with a school kit and a bicycle for his journey to school. Today, he attends 7th grade regularly and is deeply grateful for this chance.
HOPE FOR A MOTHER AND HER CHILDREN
In another village, a family is facing serious challenges. The mother works hard on construction sites, but right now there’s very little work available in Cambodia. She has three children, all still in primary school.
Knowing her situation, the teachers recommended the family for our school kit program. We were able to provide the children with the materials they needed. For the mother, this brought enormous relief – she told our team with heartfelt thanks that it had helped her tremendously, especially at a time when she has so little money to support her children.
A BICYCLE CHANGES EVERYTHING
In the village with the floating houses, some families live very far from school during the dry season. Many children often miss classes, even though they want to go.
Our team visits these families regularly and has been able to provide several bicycles. Since receiving them, the children go to school every day – never missing a single class.
SCHOOL INSTEAD OF THE CONSTRUCTION SITE
When our team visited a village, a girl in 6th grade approached us. She explained that through our meetings she had learned how important education is for her future and that she wanted to continue going to school. However, her mother wanted the entire family to move to the border with Vietnam so that all family members could work on construction sites. There was no money for school supplies. The girl asked us to speak with her mother. We agreed and also encouraged her to pray about it, as she had been attending one of our small groups for some time.
During one of the meetings, a team member, Keany, prayed with the children for healing. The girl had been suffering from severe stomach pains for a long time, which had not gone away. After the prayer, the pain disappeared and never returned.
Finally, we spoke with her mother and were able to convince her that it was better for her daughter to stay in school. Today, the girl receives a school kit from us and is overjoyed to be learning – instead of having to work on a construction site.
There are so many more stories to tell, because behind almost every school kit or bicycle we provide is a child whose education would be uncertain—or might have already ended—without support.
But it’s not just about giving materials; it takes close cooperation with teachers and families to truly empower children in their education and for their future.
Our team does this incredibly well, and we are very proud of them.
True change doesn’t come from charity alone—it comes when people are empowered and can experience three vital things: faith, hope, and love.
Through all our village programs and every home visit, we aim to give people exactly that:
Faiththat strengthens them and leads to true freedom.
Hopefor a better life, and the chance to be truly free from hardship.
Loveshown in words and actions—something many have never fully experienced.
We see how God is working in the villages and in the hearts of the people. We owe Him the blessings that our work brings.
And to you we are deeply grateful that your generosity and prayers make our work possible.
If you have any questions or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
WE CAN’T WAIT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
Katharina Doehler katharina.doehler@serey.de
Julius Doehler julius.doehler@serey.de
