A Brief History of Cambodia
Cambodia, located in Southeast Asia, has a rich and complex history that spans over a millennium. Its early civilization flourished with the rise of the Khmer Empire (9th–15th centuries), which is best known for the majestic Angkor Wat temple complex, a symbol of Cambodia’s cultural and architectural heritage. During this period, the Khmer Empire was a powerful regional kingdom with advanced agriculture, trade, and art. In the 19th and 20th centuries, Cambodia became a French protectorate, which introduced modern administration and education but also limited national sovereignty. Cambodia gained independence in 1953, ushering in a period of hope under King Norodom Sihanouk. However, the nation endured profound tragedy during the Khmer Rouge regime (1975–1979). Led by Pol Pot, this brutal dictatorship sought to create a radical agrarian society, resulting in the deaths of an estimated 1.7 to 2 million people—nearly a quarter of the population—through executions, forced labor, and starvation. The effects of this genocide still impact Cambodian society today. After the fall of the Khmer Rouge, Cambodia slowly rebuilt its institutions, economy, and social fabric, aided by international support. Today, the country is a vibrant and resilient nation, preserving its rich cultural heritage while striving for sustainable development and a brighter future for its people.
Children of Cambodia
Children in Cambodia face many challenges, especially those living in poverty, rural areas, or difficult family circumstances. Around 40% of the population is under the age of 18, highlighting the importance of investing in their well-being. Many lack access to quality education, healthcare, and safe living conditions, which limits their opportunities to grow and thrive. Yet despite these obstacles, Cambodian children are often creative, full of potential, and can bring a smile to anyone who meets them. Organizations and communities across the country work tirelessly to provide education, nutrition, and support, helping children grow into healthy, confident, and capable adults. By investing in the well-being of Cambodia’s children, the nation is nurturing a brighter and more hopeful future for all.
Our Stories of Change
Names have been changed to protect privacy
Meet Samnang
A Journey of Healing and Hope
Samnang is a client who came from an extremely unfortunate and severely abusive family background, spending many years living on the streets of Phnom Penh, first begging to cover his father’s living expenses and later for his mother. When his mother was placed in a government shelter for adults with mental illness, he had to accompany her. At the age of 14, he was admitted to our Group Home Care Program. He arrived broken, traumatized, and barely uttered a word. Over the years, the nurturing and warm family atmosphere at the shelter played a crucial role in healing his inner wounds and fostering both emotional and physical growth. In his educational journey, he successfully completed vocational training in air conditioning repair and obtained his secondary school diploma at an local NGO — an accomplishment that once seemed unimaginable. After gaining his first work experience, he developed a desire to further his qualifications. Now, he is studying to become an electrician at an institute in the evenings, aiming for better career prospects and a higher salary so that he can support his own family one day. Equipped with the confidence he has built over the years and believing that life can be positively transformed through personal effort and commitment, he is now ready to embrace the future with hope, determination, and the skills to create a meaningful and independent life.
Meet Theary
Overcoming a Childhood of Rejection and Abuse
In 2016, Theary was admitted to our residential care program, “Young Generation Community House”, at the request of the commune leader from her village due to violence in the family. She grew up in a difficult environment, living with her mother, stepfather, and two stepsiblings. As the eldest child in the family she was burdened with excessive household chores and treated like a servant, even by her own mother. Her situation worsened when her stepfather began physically abusing her, often without cause, while the rest of the family ignored her suffering. Upon joining our community house, Theary quickly adapted, finding solace in the safe and supportive environment provided by both staff and fellow residents. She eagerly resumed her education, recognizing it as a path to a better future. Today, she is studying secretary at Don Bosco school Cambodia. Though naturally quiet, she has grown into a confident young woman who is well-liked by those around her. Her difficult childhood has shaped her into a resilient and determined individual. Theary no longer maintains contact with her mother but finds comfort in visiting her grandfather in the province, who has always been kind and understanding toward her.
What Was Meant for Evil, God Puts for Good
Working with poor and disadvantaged children, young people, and families in Cambodia, it is obvious that much of their suffering is linked to the horrific genocide caused by the Khmer Rouge from 1975 to 1979, which left deep scars on families, communities, and the entire nation. Fifty years later, Cambodia continues to grapple with the social, emotional, and economic aftermath of this dark period. Yet amid this heartbreaking trauma, there is hope. The story does not end with despair. Across the country, individuals and communities are finding ways to heal, rebuild, and restore what was lost. From a faith perspective, this journey of restoration reminds us that God’s work is never finished. Even in the most desperate circumstances, God seeks paths for renewal and healing. Faith offers a lens through which we can see that suffering caused by evil people is not the final word, but a chapter in a larger story—one in which reconciliation, restoration, and transformation are possible. As an NGO serving the poor and needy at the grassroots level in Cambodia, we feel privileged to work alongside God’s plan, witnessing how the wounds of the past can gradually heal and give way to hope, resilience, and new life. For Cambodia, its people, and all who have suffered, this promise offers comfort, guidance, and the courage to move forward.
While the shadow of history remains, so too does the light of restoration. In the words of Scripture,
"The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit." (Psalm 34:18)