The Ko An Deaok Orphan Church Home is situated in the sleepy village of Chom Bork in the Prey Veng Province.

This small but heavily populated agricultural area lies along the eastern bank of the Mekong River. At one time, this region was known for its prosperous rubber plantations that largely attributed to the provincial economy. Now this community has little if any significance. In 1970s, it was the site of “The Battle for Prey Veng” which erupted during the Vietnam War.

A national highway in the southern most region of the province links Phnom Penh and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam. When Vietnam occupied Cambodia from 1979 to 1989, this route was sealed for rapid troop movement.

The majority of the villagers in the Prey Krang village are very poor. They are very hard workers andoften times do not get enough nourishment in their diets. Lack of nutrition, combined with poor living conditions are the grounds for deadly diseases. The primary factor contributing to the growing population of orphans is AIDS. Many of the children lost one or both parents to this disease.

A typical day begins as the children awake. Before eating breakfast, the orphans participate in devotions. The school age children either attend classes in the morning or in the late afternoon. After lunch, most of the orphans take naps, play, study, and take classes in the home. Later, they eat dinner, take care of the homes’ garden and plants, and attend an English class in the home. The orphans finish each day gathering for church devotions, before setting up their mosquito nets and going to sleep.