FCOP International exists to meet urgent needs and do good deeds to bring holistic health to hurting and oppressed people.

Interview: Directors Ted & Sou Olbrich

The past four decades have seen much suffering and hardship in the Kingdom of Cambodia.  In 1998 over  thirty years of constant civil war came to an end, Cambodia was left devastated and has been struggling to recover.  A recent report from the Economist Magazine’s Intelligence Unit listed Cambodia as the fourth-highest country at risk for political instability, however, Cambodia continues to recover despite the critics.

Orphans and Separated Children

Extreme poverty, millions of landmines, and rampant disease combined with the lack of basic healthcare have produced a staggering number of orphans and separated children. The extended family system that has traditionally absorbed these orphaned children cannot handle the ever increasing number. Sadly, impoverished relatives are tempted to “sell” the orphaned children making family placement risky. This “separated child” crisis truly is one of the greatest tragedies facing the nation of Cambodia today; however, it is also an  opportunity for the church to minister to the needs of many.

Poverty

Today, the vast majority of Cambodians live scattered throughout the countryside managing on less than $1 USD a day. This part of the population survives on subsidiary rice farming and other agrarian jobs (small scale animal production and fruit and vegetable farming). A bamboo and thatched hut built on stilts (for protection from the frequent flooding that occurs during monsoon season) is home for these families.

Growth

In the past few years Cambodia has developed into a nation of contrasts. The capital city of Phnom Penh is exploding and resembles other developing nations. There is construction throughout the city and western conveniences such as ATM’s have even begun to appear. The entire city is circled with large garment factories producing clothing for major brands from all over the world. This means that thousands of young Cambodians, especially young women, are leaving the countryside and flocking to the city for jobs. In the city, they find themselves in an entirely different world than the agrarian one in which they grew up. This phenomena is beginning to cause a disconnect between generations in Cambodia and is causing these under educated women to become extremely vulnerable to the sex trade. The economic downturn has intensified this problem.