Last month, Cambodia’s Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sport approved our partner’s charter to reopen for full-time, in-person learning! Eager to reopen and continue gaining momentum from the year before, our team at New Hope School launched enrollment for the 2021 academic year and began spreading the word in the community about the reopening. As the team was connecting with students and parents, God provided a divine appointment for one of our staff members, Sokieth.
While our staff met with students and parents, Sokieth noticed a couple of boys playing with a traditional, Cambodian farm cart. These farm carts are typically used for hauling dirt, rice, market supplies, and various other materials, but the boys were using it for recreational purposes. Sokieth was intrigued, so he and the rest of the team struck up a conversation with the boys.
About Sokieth
Sokieth serves as an administrative leader at New Hope and also pastors a house church in his community. He has a huge heart for Jesus and passionately teaches our staff the Bible each week. He is also deeply passionate about caring for the community and welcoming new students into the New Hope family.
One of the boys in particular caught Sokieth’s eye while the team was talking. Whenever Sokieth glanced at him, the boy would respond with a playful smile and Sokieth returned the smile several times. Feeling prompted to talk to him further, Sokieth asked the boy about his studies. The two quickly connected as kindred spirits, and Sokieth sensed there was a deeper need and purpose for this connection.
Sokieth shared about New Hope with the boy and invited him to attend. The boy responded with an eager “yes!” and invited Sokieth to visit with his family. Sokieth, joined by another team member, accepted the invitation to visit the boy’s house where they met his mother and great aunt and uncle. During their visit, our staff learned that the boy’s father is no longer involved in his life and that his mom struggles to provide financially.
While visiting with the family and talking about New Hope, the boy’s great aunt committed to paying for her nephew’s school fees. At New Hope, monthly school fees are a fraction of the cost compared to typical language school, which makes it affordable and appealing for families. As the conversation continued, the boy’s best friend stopped by and also expressed interest in enrolling.
A few hours later, both of the boys showed up at New Hope ready to enroll. After just one interaction with the boys, Chanthy, our Assistant Director, remarked that “there is something special about those boys!” Now that school has officially reopened, Sokieth has made a point to connect with the boys each day when he is on campus. He is learning their stories, asking about their hopes and dreams, and building belonging in their hearts. He is committed to discipling a small group of students this school year, which now includes these two boys.
Vicharka
Vicharka is 6 years old and wants to become a doctor.
Savunn
Savunn is 9 years old and wants to become a soldier.
As we look to the future at New Hope, we can’t wait to see how God will use our team this year to help students encounter Jesus, grow academically, and learn how to become agents of change in their community. Our teams in Cambodia and Haiti are committed to fighting for students who are oftentimes left behind and we know God will continue to meet them in the midst of the fight!