Providing sanctuary for vulnerable students in Cambodia, discipling them in Christ and equipping them with quality education to empower their futures!
Refuge for the Poor helps the very poor student by providing a safe community where they can be educated, learn about health, hygiene and visit an experienced doctor. (In Cambodia, “doctors” rarely have proper medical training or offer traditional medicines that are not able to cure what they claim to and often cause harm.) We sponsor children for private school. Some live in our Refuge Center and some are sponsored while living at home.
Just as there are physical cycles of poverty, there are also spiritual cycles of poverty and Refuge for the Poor seeks to meet these heart needs, too. By modeling loving relationships, generosity and healthy community that all spring from a restored relationship with the Creator God through Jesus, we see people experience renewal and literal salvation. Breaking the cycle of bondage to idols and spiritual oppression frees not just the individual Cambodian but we hope the next generation and beyond can live life with a free and fruitful relationship with God.
Discover Refuge for the Poor
Uncover the heartwarming story behind Refuge for the Poor by watching our video. Learn more about who we are and the work we do to support those in need. Join us in making a difference in the lives of the less fortunate!
College Dorm Ministry
Our college dormitory houses poor young men and women from the villages who enroll in university. They are sponsored for their education, food and housing. The parents are responsible to give what they can to participate in their child’s schooling. At times they will sell a cow or a small piece of land to buy a motor bike for them to drive to school or help with their weekly spending money for transportation, books, etc.
They study the Bible a couple evenings a week and attend church and Sunday school on Sunday. Depending on their giftings, they help serve, teach children or sing and play in the worship band. Often, those who are not Christian will believe and follow Jesus because of the teachings and loving Christian community around them at the dormitory.
Refuge Center Ministry
In 2020, the Refuge Center was opened. Today 35 children, teens and college students call the Refuge Center their home. There are five staff ministry leaders who live on-site and others who live off-site. A cook comes daily to provide healthy meals for the students and staff.
The Center provides a safe atmosphere as many of the younger students come from difficult homes and are vulnerable/at-risk. The children attend a private Christian school. All of their medical and dental needs are met.
First and foremost spiritual needs are met. Three of our staff have Bible degrees. The students are involved in intentional discipleship/training programs. There is an established church on campus.
The Refuge Center is located in the center of a small village in the outskirts of Phnom Penh. There are English and Computer classes which are open to the children and teens living in the surrounding village. There is also a soccer ministry. All these opportunities create a platform to share the good news of Jesus Christ.
Read more stories like this!
“RTP has impacted me tremendously during my time there. Anything from physical growth like 3 meals a day to spiritual growth with weekly Bible studies, leading Sunday school, etc. and most importantly - what it means to be a true disciple of Jesus…”
— LyKeang (Student)
