Pum Prasat
The Pum Prasat home is situated in Northern Siem Reap away from the tourist influence of the city.Although Siem Reap is home to the ruins of Angkor Wat, Cambodia’s best preserved temple in the entire region and one of the world’s seventh ancient wonders, conveniences such as electricity, motorized vehicles and running water are almost unheard of around the Pum Prasat village.
When our team arrived at this home to collect data on all the orphans for the fist time, it was immediately obvious just how sheltered the people of this village have been from the rest of the world. The children in the home ran to touch the vehicle because they had never seen anything like it before.
In 1979, the province was the scene of heavy fighting between the Khmer Rouge and the Vietnamese army. Since the demise of the Khmer Rouge, life returned to normal and farmers began to work again; transporting goods in oxcarts. Village women cycle to the markets, monks rove from home to home, and kids seen on the backs of water buffalos are the ever present norm for this community.
Most of the children that make this Church their home were orphaned due to diseases like malaria and TB. Their morning routine consists of devotions and prayer time. Afterward they enjoy breakfast together before making their way to the local community school. Many of the children attend classes in the morning while others go in the afternoon. All the children participate in taking care of their home, garden and animals. Aside from their normal studies, there is also an English teacher in the home that tutors them in both English and Khmer languages. Children return home for lunch between 11:00 and 1:30pm. Before dinner, many will play soccer or other traditional games. They finish the day with evening worship and devotions before going to sleep.
