I SLEPT IN TIL 7 AM!!! Haha, it was wonderful, blissful sleep and I felt so rested when I woke up, which is good, because yesterday was a long day....
We at breakfast, and then went to Daughters, which is an AMAZING organization. They are a Christian organization, and they provide gainful and fair employment for women in the sex trade industry who want a way out. They don't provide housing, which provides a level of independence for the women, because the salary they make is enough to fully provide for them. The have a bakery, a factory, a sewing shop and a store where they sell their wares. Its only been around for 5 years, and yet they have grown so much and help nearly 100 women a year. They alson have an organization called Sons, which focuses on doing the same thing. Such a cool ministry that is doing amazing things here.
After lunch there, which was amazing, we went to a displacement village outside of the city limits. These people were told by the government that they had to leave the land they own in the city, because developers wanted it. The moved them outside the city to a ditch (literally) during the dry season. However, when the rainy season came, it flooded the entire area, becoming part of a nearby lake. The people had nowhere to go, and their tarp shelters were no match for the elements. So a man named Brett from Louisiana came, saw the need, moved to Cambodia and began financing and building houses on stilts (to withstand the rainy season). Four years later and everone has a house (27 families in all), and the community is able to live and provide for each other. We were visiting to provide solar lights for each house... Right now, in order to have light and charge cell phones, the people use car batteries which is dangerous and expensive to recharge. For people making 1$ a day, 5$ a month to recharge a battery is a lot. So now they have these new solar charging lights, with 2 hookups for phones and other things, and it is amazing how much their lives with be changed by this small act of service.
All of the people look out for each other, especially the children. There was one boy, Pierre-na (how its pronounced at least lol) that had downs syndrome, and another boy with MS. These people could have left their children in the city, or neglected them, but instead, the entire community has rallied around them and cares for and supports them. Its amazing to see the love and community in this village, and the way they are working together despite their circumstances. I also really considered bringing Pierre-na home with me; he was so sweet, following me around and holding me hand, playing patty-cake with me. I felt so blessed just spending time with all the children, but especially him.
After that we came back to the house for dinner, then relaxed and had coffee nearby. It was just an awesome day, and I can't wait to go back!
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