A young girl – pregnant & Kids – Need
We were quite shocked to get the news that one of our girls who comes to our center for kids programs – got pregnant. We were informed that she had relationships with some men from different communities. Miss. Chenda (fake name), reportedly 17 – but we believe that she is much younger than this – got pregnant from an unknown man.
It is fairly common that youth or even minors who live on the hill community are involved in some of dangerous activities – as most of them drop out of school. Sometimes Chenda goes with other kids to scout for fruit that they can sell to make some money. Some resort to stealing farmers’ crops.
We do not have all the details of Chenda’s story, as she told us that sometimes she goes to meet some boys who look after the cashew nut farms. We are not sure if she intended to keep the relationship so she and other friends can come and pick up some nuts for sales. Already 5 months pregnant – she is very young to be pregnant at her age. This only perpetuates the cycle of need and desperation.
Backgrounds of the children & Their needs
We also learned that many children are from divorced parents, living with alcoholic guardians, or evening live by themselves. Some kids reportedly knock on neighbors’ doors to ask for shelter, and some even ask for food when desperate.
We provide meals for them during our life skills activities, and kids’ program. The kids are from the hill and the village below. We realize that some kids do not have enough meals, and lack nutrition – which commonly leads to early health problems, some severe. And with the Cambodian health system at such a poor state this poses a huge problem, and further perpetuates this cycle of need and desperation.
On Sunday last week we had our church service together with the kids and the elders, and we were able to pass some bibles to them. I felt very emotionally touched as one little boy approached me after the meal, and hugged me. He said “Thank you for feeding me!” I could barely look at the boy’s face for I could not hold back my tears, as I realized this boy is about son’s age. I felt as if my own son was very hungry and approached me to give thanks for giving him food – a basic human right no child should have to lack. We have been praying for vocational training opportunity for the youth as well.
We pray that they and their parents consider sending them to get trained for a long term purpose rather than short-term benefits. Their family tend to make them work and earn daily income from begging or going into the forest to find something that they can sell to make a living.
We also need help to support Chenda (fake name) who is 5 months old pregnant. She lives with her single old and sick mother.
You can pray for her and support us through Living Water Farm.
