Education is a essential

We are moving through the Covid 19 pandemic here in Cambodia, Holding on to the day we can all be back to a normal kind of living. Many challenges have come our way with the closing of our campus. But good news today. We were contacted by the Ministry of Education and our local government leadership and asked if we would be willing to open our campus up to the local schools for classes. The students and teachers are wanting to continue their classes for the physical year. We are in agreement and have taken the proper procedures to keep all the students and teachers safe on the campus. This move by the Ministry of Education and Government to ask IHSI to use the campus is a prime example of Ministry and government collaboration for the good. IHSI has been committed to working to see that education be a key to the growing of ourcommunity in Saang. There are good things that can develop from this pandemic. There are now over a hundred students and a teachers meeting on IHSI campus each day teaching and learning.

Loaves and fish Ministry update

In His Steps International has been helping orphans and widows in Cambodia for over 15 years. Our team has witnessed the devastation and mistreatment that can happen to the ones left behind by one parent or both parents. 

In Cambodia, the next closest relative is usually awarded custody of the child in the case of death or absence of the child’s parent. This is usually an uncle, aunt, grandmother or grandfather. On the surface, this seems like the responsible thing to do as a close relative should raise the children as their own. This should include love and tenderness, healthcare and education as well as food, clothing and a roof over their head. In many cases, this is the very best situation for the child. They are given a home to grow up safely and a family that loves them! Some cases are the complete opposite, the abuses of the child left in the care of heartless relatives are among the worst treatment of any child or sibling we have seen and can include beatings, verbal abuses, mental abuses, sexual abuses as well as the trading of manual labor or sexual exploitation for debts that the family has acquired before they received the children. These and many other devilish acts are committed on the orphaned and abandoned children that have been given, in faith, by the courts or village leaders to the surviving family members for care and raising.

IHSI continually looks into cases in our community and there are many children in the care of close relatives of the deceased parent or parents who need help. At one time, there where over 30 children that IHSI was overseeing in homes and in Fathers House, a safe house for abandoned, abused, orphaned, at risk children. In addition to the care of children, we also discover many cases of elder abuse and neglect and request permission from the community leaders to step in an assist. 

We have learned many difficult lessons as to the nature of abusive humans and families. We need to help others that cannot help themselves with abuse and neglect that they face at any age. 

Our Loaves and Fish ministry to orphans, widows and elderly is based on the biblical account of Jesus asking his disciples to give him what they had in their possession to feed others. He prayed over the fish and bread they gave and it was multiplied to feed 5,000.  Faith is the key to multiplying what is given to help others. 

We continue to press forward and face these unacceptable situations and cause change in our communities. We continue through the generosity of individuals, families and churches who share our desire to see others walk out their lives in freedom! If you are considering a gift to help with this ministry please visit: https://www.ihsionline.org/donate Thank you.

Dreams coming true

Years ago when we were in the planning stages of ministry in Cambodia our dream was to have a campus where local children/people could find a place of learning. A place which would empower, educate, equip, young and old. This dream is starting to come to fruition. The last 4 years we have seen a huge increase in the interest of IHSI campus. Just this past week we were blessed with many youth and children that are from our local public school in Saang. The students have no place to play safely or with a grass soccer field, or a coach or a person teaching how to play or the rules of play. IHSI staff is training and equipping, empowering, and educating our community youth and children through sports. We use team play as an introduction to life skills as well as behavior and actions towards themselves and others. Simple things that go a long way in life. Keep praying for Cambodia to be a land of Peace for her people.

Replacing the swing chains on our playground

We have been busy replacing all the swing chains on our play area this week, Our play area was built in 2013 and it has seen use everyday by all the children in our community from the day of completion. We are so thankful for a safe place for the community to play and enjoy some time together with their friends and family. A play area is much more than just a place to play to us. Our play area is a safe place to come and play and learn how to work together with others, sharing, learning good talk between each other caring for one another, helping each other when needed and learning how to forgive each other when caught up in a spat or disagreement between friends and others, We use are play area as recreation as well as a teaching tool.

Back to school in Saang

This week the children in our area will be going back to school. Many have enjoyed their time off with friends and family. Here at our campus we have seen a growth in children attending the programs that we make available on the summer break. Our play area has seen an abundance of new faces, smiles, and laughs, which we just adore.

Smiles and laughter fills our campus with many precious young children everyday.

In the past years IHSI would supply many needy children with school supplies for the year, These children would be from poor homes, with desperate parents or grandparents that have no resources to send their children or grandchildren to become educated. This year IHSI was not in a position to help. But we have a great partner. Sak Saum Inc heard the cry, and came to the rescue, Sak Saum made it possible for over 25 young people to receive a full years school supplies. Which included uniforms, and shoes, book bags, pencils, pens, notebooks, every item need for a student to go to school. Thank you Sak Saum.

We are excited to see what the new school years brings for this precious group.

If you are looking for ways to help contribute to the giving of school supplies, or other needs here in our area of Cambodia, Please contact us. Or make a donation on this website or send your gift to In HIs Steps International, P. O. Box 60146 Colorado Springs, Colorado 80960, Also please visit the Sak Saum website to purchase any clothing or accessories you may need, They are a partner of IHSI and have a ministry to many also in need. See them at www.saksaum.com or www.saksaum.myshopify.com