We are very blessed to report on the impact of our Christmastime food distribution and community outreach. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we were able to make a big difference in the lives of hundreds of impoverished Cambodian families.
On Dec. 13, 2021, we were able to distribute over 11,000 pounds (5,000 kilograms) of rice in partnership with Mercy Village Church. One of our Khmer connections at Mercy Village greatly rejoiced in the goodness of God. He said…
“The Lord is our great Provider… He knows all our needs, thank Him for his love and kindness He has given to us… Thank you to Rock Foundation for the love and sponsorship of 5 tonnes of rice. Oh! Thank you Lord for your love and your kindness towards your servants so that we can bless the poor, the widows, the orphans and the needy, for He always provides. I am truly blessed and excited for God is good and all the time. Praise the Lord! May the Lord continue to bless you and your team richly. ‘Blessed to bless.'”
The outreach came at the end of a particularly difficult year for Cambodia. With COVID-19 hitting the country in January 2021, the government instituted strict lockdowns that especially affected those in poverty. Many households had to cut back on the size and quality of meals, and those living on the edge of poverty were plunged into extreme impoverishment.
This year, the Cambodian government instituted a stipend program for some at-risk people. However, less than 18% of Cambodia’s population is considered poor enough to receive a government subsidy. Furthermore, to receive a subsidy, you most have an appropriate ID card.
The communities we serve are in Cambodia’s most rural and hard-to-reach places — where 90% of Cambodia’s poor population lives.
In these remote villages, only one in three people have access to electricity. Less than one in five people has access to safe, clean water. We are happy to say that we recently hit an organization milestone: installation of our 400th fresh water well.
We encourage you to follow our 2021 journey regarding community outreaches, food distribution and COVID-19 response in the poorest communities of Cambodia. Read our blog posts tagged “Community Outreach.”
Sources: ID Poor, Phnom Penh Post, CIA Factbook, UNDP