Mines, UXO and Orphans in Cambodia
About 1/3 of the orphans in western Cambodia lost at least one of their
parents to a land mine. Most of these children come from the rural areas
that border with Thailand. Due to the constant warfare for over 27
years, only ending in 1998, several million mines and pieces of
unexploded ordnance litter the countryside. Generally the cities are
considered safe, but during the construction of the new Ou Ambel
Church Orphan Home in the city of Bantemeanchy, Cambodia, that assumption
was proven false.
Bantemeanchy was once considered one of the most prosperous and
progressive cities in Cambodia. Located at the crossroads of the major
highway from Thailand, roads to Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, Bantemeanchy
became a major commercial center. The area is also at the center of the
most fertile rice production in the country. Bantemeanchy, which
literally means "Army Camps Victory", still appears on most maps as
Sisaphone but was renamed after the last battle for control of the
area in 1998. The province, also now called
Bantemeanchy, is graced with 9 church orphan homes due to the multiple
dangers of the territory; not only do children face the constant threat of
mines, but malaria, dengue fever and child birth complications are common
killers as well. Bantemeancy is now reduced to a dirty crossroad city
almost totally lacking any of the progressive infrastructure of years
past.
When the workers were excavating for the foundation of the new Ou Ambel
Church this April, they soon unearthed two unexploded artillery shells
(officially designated UXO's for unexploded ordnance). Having seen many
of their co-workers blown to pieces by devices like these they were
extremely careful. They gently excavated around the shells and slipped
slings under the shells. The bombs were then removed to the base of a tree,
and a warning sign was put in place. The local de-mining office of CMAC
(Cambodian Mines Action Committee) was called, and two technicians were
soon on the scene. They commended the workers for their caution as they
confirmed that the shells were very much 'alive' and called in special
equipment to remove the explosive devices to a special area where they
could be safely detonated.
The funny thing about this is that though this story excites most
foreigners, the locals just yawn. Mines and unexploded ordnance (UXO)
are found every day. Unfortunately when they are hit with a plow or the
unlucky strike of a hoe, orphans are the result. "The anti-personnel
mines are meant to disable, but if you hit an anti-tank mine or a bomb
you die", explains Pastor Daniel, District Supervisor of 50
churches in the area and Pastor of the new Ou Ambel Church Orphan Home.
The new church will not only serve a congregation of 100+ adults but
will be home to 50 orphan children and serve as a regional training
center for hundreds of pastors and orphan care personnel. Pastor Daniel
is on his third new church orphanage facility in less than three years.
He comes in and evangelizes an area with the local Christians and
establishes a church. When leadership is trained he turns over the
church and moves to a new location. Then as the church discovers their
obligation to care for homeless children and widows, the vision for the
church/home begins to form. Widows are among the most destitute in this
land where there is no social safety net. If you have no family and your
husband dies, you are reduced to begging in the streets, right along
side the homeless kids. Orphan homes are staffed at a ratio of one staff
per five orphans. Most of these positions are filled with widows.
Pastor Daniel is quick to teach and demonstrate the Biblical model of
servant leadership and points out that true religion is caring for the
orphan and the widow. "Cambodian people respond to that message of
hope", comments missionary Ted Olbrich. "They are so used to hearing
that the are just recipients of their "Karma", that when they hear about
a God who loves, accepts and forgives them the response is rapid."
Olbrich should know that better than anyone as in the 3-1/2 years he and
his wife Sou have been working in Cambodia more than 300 churches have
been started under their leadership. 42 of those church homes, soon
to be 50, provide full-time care to what will be close to 2000 orphans
by the end of this year.
"We couldn't do it without valued partners like Warm Blankets", says Ted.
"They are fuel that runs this fire. May God bless each and every one!"
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