"I work very hard but it is still not enough," said Soeun Srey Ron, a widow who was struggling to support her family.

CAMBODIA – For two widows living in abject poverty, hope for the future came in the form of an unexpected gift.

Every night, Soeun Srey Ron and her daughter ride into the city on old bicycles to collect rubbish.

On a good night, she sells what she finds for as much as $1.25.

“I don’t want to do that but I have no choice,” she said. “I need to find money to support my daughter for schooling and daily meals. I work very hard but it is still not enough.”

Soeun has been the lone supporter of her three children since her husband died 10 years ago. Recently her eldest son left home, while her younger son works construction and spends what little money he earns on drugs.

On several occasions, the boy has attempted suicide.

“Mrs. Ron saw her son cutting himself with a knife,” said Kittima Onlahoong, an Operation Blessing representative in Cambodia. “It was because he had run out of money to buy drugs.”

With no family to turn to for help, Soeun was desperate.

Operation Blessing has a microenterprise cow project in Cambodia which empowers poor families in need.

“It had all become very painful for her as a mother,” said Kittima. “She needed help.”

Recently, Operation Blessing staff members learned of Soeun's difficult situation and committed to helping her by giving the family a cow. For several years, OBI has operated a microenterprise cow project in Cambodia for poor families in need of support.

As cows produce offspring, the calves can be sold at local markets to create a sustainable source of income— a major economic boost for a poverty-stricken family.

“I am very excited for what you gave to me today,” Soeun said. “Thank you so much.”

In addition, OBI helped locate a rehab center for Soeun’s son, and her daughter was enrolled in OBI’s Back-to-School program.

“I am really happy I don’t have to worry about any supplies or school fees for my daughter,” Soeun said.

"God's blessing is coming to me now," said Lay Heang, a widow whose husband left her with seven children.

Like Soeun, Lay Heang is also a widow. Her first husband left her with seven children, and then her second husband died.

For 13 years, Lay struggled to earn a living.

“All the burdens are on her,” Kittima said. “Lay used to sell cakes on the street to pay for her daily meals. She couldn’t afford to send her children to school.”

OBI intervened for the Heang family as well. They too received a cow.

“God’s blessing is coming to me now,” Lay said. “I’ve been thinking about it for so long and now God provided.

“Thank you,” she added.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

This microenterprise venture is one of many Operation Blessing projects touching lives around the world. You can be a part of improving the quality of life for impoverished communities by supporting these and other life-changing programs.

 

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