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Today we began a whirlwind trip to visit and understand the workings of Hagar Cambodia.  We met with leaders from the Nuturing Christian Commitment program, heard the story of a former Hagar client, heard from several of the counselors, the leader of the children’s programs and visited their catch-up school.  Phew!

I was extremely impressed by the passion and dedication of the staff, as well as the scope and continuous growth and improvement in Hagar programs.  They have recently worked with doctors and researchers at Johns Hopkins University to develop a rigorous trauma counseling curriculum specifically designed for Cambodians who have been raped or trafficked. Also, In the last year or so Hagar has added a program to provide rehabilitation for sexually abused boys.  In Cambodia, the people are only starting to become aware of the fact that boys can be sexually abused, are more willing to talk about it and less afraid to report it.   Despite the trauma, heartbreak and slow progress, the counselors “believe in something unbelievable,” as one stated.  They are motivated by the change they have seen and their desire to build resilience and self esteem in their clients.

The catch-up school is also an important program.  The children who come to Hagar are typically very behind in their education so they focus on getting them up to their current level by teaching 2 grades in one year.  They believe, of course, that education is the key to a new and sustainable life for the children that come through the Hagar programs.  The school serves children in Hagar recovery centers, children from other NGOs and from the surrounding, poor community.  They also stick with them through the highest level of education they are able to attain and help cover some costs of university as well.

They are determined to do, “Whatever it takes, as long as it takes, to restore broken lives,” and it shows!

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