The Upper Room - Helping Young Cambodians and Developing Their Capacities, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Cambodia has had one of the highest concentrations of NGOs per capita in the world. The official regulator, the Ministry of Interior's Department of Associations and NGOs (DA NGO), provides the latest available data. There are over 5000 registered local and international NGOs and associations in Cambodia. These organizations operating in Cambodia are trying to help the country and its people to rebuild from the devastations it experienced during the 1970's Khmer Rouge era. My husband and I do not belong to any NGO, but we are affiliated with a very established church group from Toronto, Canada.

 

Our church has been involved in a number of projects in Cambodia since the beginning of year 2000 and I started joining them around 2010. Though many charitable organizations are in Cambodia supporting the people in various ways, the needs are still tremendous. Each time we visit this country, we are delighted to learn about more organizations starting their projects here.

On our recent visit to Cambodia we met an energetic and dedicated couple who share the same goals as ours, helping Cambodia. It was a pleasure meeting Pastor D and his wife who have started a project called the Upper Room. Pastor D invited us to visit the Upper Room and shared his goals and vision with us. He explained that through his research work, he found that there are numerous established churches and NGOs located throughout Phnom Penh.

 However, at this current location, there are much fewer groups offering support and services, therefore, he decided on this location. He hopes that the Upper Room project will help Cambodians to :" Break the cycle of poverty through holistic, relationship-based development that addresses spiritual, physical, educational and social needs.

  Some of the key programs are:

  - Providing free quality bilingual ( Khmer/ English) education to children from poor families

  - After school programs such as tutoring, computer clases and library access

  - Leadership training and career guidance to teenagers

  - Community health and family support

  - Economic empowerment

  - Spiritual and discipleship ministry

  We had a tour of the building office and learned about its facility and programs. We prayed and asked God to bless this plae and the many people coming though here each day!

  RT, The Upper Room Cambodia