ICC in Cambodia

Children in Cambodia have seen there share of pain and suffering.  Thousand have been orphaned or abandoned as a result of the “Killing Fields” civil war, poverty, illness and HIV AIDS.  In early 1995 ICC took over the care of an orphanage in the Samrong district of Cambodia. In 1997 the staff and children were forced to flee this area due to heavy fighting. A new program began in rented homes in Kampong Thom, with 30 new children and later in the year the Samrong orphans also joined them. ICC began searching for a property on which to construct a Children's Country Village. In early 1998 land 50 acres (20 hectares) of land was purchased at Khompong Thmar, about  19 miles (30 km) from Kampong Thom.  Volunteer teams went to Cambodia to construct the first home on the new sight.  The children moved to this property in January of 2000.

The Light of Hope Children’s Village now includes a primary and secondary school, vocational training center, gardens, orchards, a brick making industry, sewing industry, meeting house, playground and sports field.  Christian house parents provide loving care to 10-12 children within the adequate surroundings of a cottage home.  Here the children grow up in a real family environment filled with love, care and a sense of self worth.

Cambodia’s Child

The following exemplifies the reasons children’ come to the Light of Hope Children’s Village in Cambodia.  Names have been changed and certain story elements so as to protect the privacy of our children.

Hal was born in a very poor rural village in central Cambodia. His father had already died and his mother died in childbirth. An aid worker in the area wanted to save Hal from certain death and asked around the village to see if anyone would care for the baby if the aid organization were to supply the family with formula and bottles for the baby. One family who were very poor and also had a small baby offered to care for Hal in their simple bamboo hut. The aid worker took formula, bottles and sterilization equipment to the family and taught them how to use this. They visited the family regularly for the first two months until certain the baby was doing well and that the family was taking good care of the child.

On returning to the village when the baby was nine months old they were shocked to discover the baby was like a skeleton and almost dead while the family’s own child was so fat that it could hardly walk. The aid worker took the baby and brought him to the Light of Hope Children’s village. On seeing the , the ICC workers felt that only a miracle could now save the baby from death. With lots of love and care, good hygiene and a good diet, by the time Hal was 18 months old he was a fit, healthy and happy little boy. Today he continues to grow, develop and thrive within the loving environment of the Light of Hope Children’s Village.

The Latest News & Items of Interest

The Fruit of our Mission – Reported
ICC believes in caring for children until they are able to care for themselves.  Four of our former children have left the program and have found employment to support themselves.  When the children came to the Light of Hope Children’s Village, they were unable to care for themselves.  How rewarding it is to see these children grow, develop and now take on the responsibility for their own care.  These are the sweet fruits of the mission of ICC.

Congratulations Graduates
Education plays a vital role in preparing children to be productive citizens in their own countries.  Twelve of our ICC children graduated from high school in the summer of 2006.  By far this was the largest graduating class at the school located on the Light of Hope campus.  All of the students were accepted into university studies.  A couple of students are studying in vocational training programs.  Congratulations to these youth as they continue to prepare themselves for useful service.

New Irrigation System
The agriculture program has been expanded and windmills installed to aid in irrigating the crops.

New Cottage Home
A new cottage home has been completed with the intent to use this for staff until we are able to complete some staff housing.  A staff duplex is being built.  This is very much needed in order to expand the campus in the future.

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