I've been asked to give a brief explanation of what we do at New Hope and what exactly it is.

New Hope is a community centre situated in Mondul Bai village, one of the poorest slum areas in Siem Reap, even Cambodia. It was started by KemSour, a local man and has since grown and is now run by Kerry also. She came over as a volunteer from Australia and has stayed.

The community consists of army families, karaoke/sex workers and displaced men, women and children. There are all the problems associated with social deprivation, including severe malnutrition and disease.

Many children are surviving on rice water and salt, supplemented by the frogs and ants they are able to collect. Some babies have existed purely on the water from boiled rice, as their starving mothers are unable to supply breast milk.

There is no public school in the vicinity of the village for the children. They cannot afford transport to other schools, they have no money for books or uniforms and many are needed at home to mind younger siblings while their parents or older siblings attend work.

To add to this problem many girls from outer rural areas are requested by their families to leave their homes and move to the town of Siem Reap in the hope of finding a job with adequate income to support themselves and send money back to their family.

These girls have no formal education, English language or vocational skills. Unfortunately many fall victim to the sex trade, this being their only means of survival. Up to 400 girls live in this small village as entertainers or prostitutes. Many of the girls are now left with babies and young children of their own to raise and have no choice but to raise them in this same environment. They earn approximately US$40 per month for their services, and send most of this home to their families. These girls have no future other than this……and approximately half will die of disease at a very premature age.

The centre provides vocational training in the form of a sewing and beauty room and hopefully next month we will be receiving a donation of 20 laptops and can start computer classes. We also provide Khmer and English lessons from basic begginer to more advanced grammar and conversation.

The centre also has a doctor and should anyone need to go to hospital we also take them. Last week the doctor saw over 140 patients, many with very severe problems. New Hope pays for all medication, doctors wages and hospital costs.

Every month we also provide rice and basic condiments to families who are sponsored. Bicycles are also provided to families who may need them to get to school or to the market to sell their wares.

We have recently started the fish and egg farm which is a work in progress and is the result of a donation. The land for the fish farm has been purchased, but work has yet to start on this. The chicken farm is more advanced with the shed being constructed and the chickens having been delivered. More about this next time as I have photos to add.

The main aim is to restore hope and dignity through education to enable the people to be self sufficient.

For any of you who want to know more please go to:

http://www.newhopecambodia.com/

Any questions, please ask!!