You still have time to bring hope and dignity to children in Cambodia
‘We share what we have with everyone. That’s how people come to understand God’s love.’ – Mr Keo, catechist and Director of the Phnom Penh Peace Centre
In Cambodia, decades after Pol Pot’s brutal regime, many families still struggle with acute poverty and a lack of basic services. For children with disabilities, life is even harder. Many are excluded from school because rural roads are poor, transport is unreliable and schools lack the necessary facilities.
Amid these challenges, the Catholic Church has become a beacon of hope. Missionaries and small Church communities work tirelessly to promote education and care for all children – regardless of their background or belief. The Church, though small, is a vital source of compassion and healing.
The missionary-founded Peace Centre in Phnom Penh gives life-changing care and support to 64 children with disabilities. Six children live on site, with their parents or grandparents, as their homes are too far away for them to access the Centre daily.
A place for growing in hope
Sievmey is a 10-year-old boy who was born prematurely and was unable to stand, walk or talk for many years. With three years of therapy and care at the Centre, his grandmother says:
‘My grandson can now walk, talk and learn.’
She goes on to share:
‘The Centre is a special place. It helps with food, travel and materials to support our children. The staff teach the children how to keep clean, how to socialise and how to live with dignity.’
The Peace Centre offers physiotherapy, speech therapy and sensory play so children like Sievmey can reach their potential. Volunteer specialists visit regularly and the staff also provide home-based support and training for parents, who often struggle to care for a disabled child alone.
Inspired by faith; motivated by love
At the heart of the Peace Centre is Mr Keo. A former teacher, Mr Keo volunteered at the Centre before taking on the role of Director 10 years ago. He says:
‘Many children with disabilities live in terrible poverty, their parents need to go to work and they don’t have the time or money to bring them here. We need more outreach workers to visit them in their homes and provide education and exercises.’
Living out our faith
Mr Keo was raised a Buddhist but became a Catholic in 2003, moved by the compassion and example of local missionaries.
‘The priests and catechists didn’t just speak about God’s love – they lived it. They helped the poor, shared food and supported the sick. I wanted to live my faith in that same way.’
His parents were uncertain at first, but he showed them that Catholics and Buddhists can live and serve together. He says:
‘We share what we have with everyone. That’s how people come to understand God’s love.’
Now a catechist himself, Mr Keo’s work at the Peace Centre is how he lives out his faith and expresses his love of God. Through care and compassion, he is building a community where children, parents and staff work together with joy and dignity.
Give the gift of hope to the world’s children
Mr Keo and his team are just one example of the wonderful people you are supporting. Please help them and many other missionaries throughout the world continue to offer hope, healing and the love of God to some of the world’s most vulnerable children.
Thank you!
If you would like to support Mr Keo and his team, along with many other missionaries and struggling faith communities throughout the world, please consider giving a gift to our appeal today.
Four simple ways you can support mission
- Give: please consider making a special gift to support children in Cambodia and other countries, where there is a great need for the love and hope of the Gospel to be shared with struggling communities.
- Pray: Please keep Mr Keo, and many other dedicated missionaries like him, in your prayers. Your prayers keep them strong as they continue to care for all God’s children in some of the world’s poorest and most troubled locations.
- Fundraise: Lots of little actions can make one big change! Could you join together with your family, friends or community to fundraise for Missio? From bake sales to sponsored events, giving your time to raise money is an incredible gift to children around the world, and the missionaries making a vital difference to their lives. Get inspired here>>
- Share: a quick and easy way you can help us is to SHARE our message on social media. You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram.