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Spelling HOPE Worldwide
Phnom Penh, Cambodia -- School, the ability to learn new skills, it's taken for granted by so many children. But then there are others, the poor. For them school is an inconceivable privilege. Many poor children living in the USA and overseas can't imagine being properly equipped to learn so they can have a better future. Such was the case for 270 desperately poor Cambodian children as the upcoming school year approached. Understanding that 36 percent of this country's population of over 12.4 million live below the poverty line, Operation Blessing's Back-To-School program was able to lend a helping hand for the first time!
Slightly smaller than the United States' southern state of Oklahoma, this Asian country struggles to strengthen its educational infrastructure. Those excelling academically were murdered during Khmer Rouge by the ruling regime twenty-six years ago, resulting in a tragic foundational loss (World Fact Book 2001). Slowly regaining ground, the population lacks education and professional skills to help them be successful in the marketplace, particularly in the poverty-ridden countryside.
As a widow, fifty-two-year-old Kim earns only five U.S. dollars (USD) per month. Not knowing how she would get the required items for her son to attend school, she was at the point of despair -- without these basic items there would be no education, no hope of a better future for her bright boy. But then hope came. Kim was elated when he was one of the 270 children who was able to receive two sets of the school uniform, a school bag, and supplies. She said, "The Back-To-School program helped my family very much. He [my son] is very happy today. Thank you!"
Just two weeks after five partnering churches had completed the BTS distribution, tragedy struck. Two separate fires licked over 10,000 squatter's shacks like kindling in the capital city of Phnom Penh. Among the fire victims were forty children that lost every thing including their new BTS supplies. It looked like they would be relegated to a lifetime of hardship.
With the help of faithful Operation Blessing partners, our representatives quickly prepared a second set of the school items for the forty children including ten-year-old Chan. "Since my parents are very poor, they have never been able to buy us a school uniform and supplies," shared the child. "To lose what we received from you was sad. I couldn't go into the house and get them. We moved to the new place and face many difficulties. Some days we don't have enough food to eat."
Chan continued, "I used to try to think how to get a new school uniform. Today I am so excited to know I will get another new set from OBI. I would like to thank those who love and support us with these supplies!"
Yes, thank you OBI partners for gifting thousands of children like Chan and Kim's son with the supplies required for them to attend school! Your gift of $25 or more can help children living in poverty receive tools for a better future.
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