by Thomas Hansen, Community Outreach Coordinator -

Between 1975 and 1979, over 1.5 million Cambodians were killed when the Khmer Rouge regime carried out a genocide of its own people in what they called a "purification of the populace". Led by Pol Pot, the Khmer Rouge targeted various ethnic groups, as well as doctors, teachers, journalists, and lawyers. What was once thought to be a country on the rise and the envy of others in Asia, Cambodia has since struggled to get back on its feet. Stories of children not being able to attend school are common, as working to earn money for their family takes precedence. Daily earnings of as little as 25 cents is the norm, rather than the exception, making it difficult for Cambodians to get ahead.

With the support of the Tabitha Foundation, CIS staff members, along with families and friends, embark on a house building trip in Cambodia each year. In fact, providing homes for Cambodians is just one small part of the work Tabitha does with selected families. Tabitha's savings programme is a cornerstone of the foundation, and it is vital to breaking the cycle of poverty.

Before a family is selected to have a new home built, they must have already committed to a savings programme, and have personally contributed some of these savings to their new home. The relationship Tabitha builds with these families typically last 5-7 years, and is necessary to help them reach financial independence. Therefore, our house building trip is more than just a one-off. It's a culmination of hard work and dedication from the families we help, the Tabitha Foundation, and the CIS community!

Cambodia holds a special place in the hearts of the staff members who build houses year after year. Every year we have new members join us on the build, and our caring community grows bigger and stronger. We go back each year because we believe deeply in the work that Tabitha does with families in Cambodia, and because we wholeheartedly believe that our support makes a difference.

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On our most recent trip during the March break, 18 CIS staff members hammered away to build 10 houses for families in the Kandal province of Cambodia, providing quality shelter for 48 people! While the house building itself was gruelling work in the midst of a heat wave, there was nothing quite like the feeling of turning the keys over at the final ceremony to these much deserving people.

To all of you who supported us on our trip, we say, “Aw-koon”! (thank you in Khmer).