Current Ministry

Refuge for the Poor (Refuge) is a Christian ministry in Cambodia that rescues children at risk of trafficking and exploitation. Through holistic care — including basic needs, education and discipleship — we help them not just survive, but rise into godly leaders with the courage and character to influence their communities for Christ.

Refuge currently serves 70 children ranging from kindergarten to university students — many from broken homes, extreme poverty, or dangerous environments.

Partnering with Families

Forty of these at-risk students live with their families throughout Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, but due to poverty, the families can’t afford quality education for their children. Through sponsors, Refuge provides tuition and school supplies for these students to attend elementary schools, high schools, or local universities, and at times helps their families with home repairs, medical needs, groceries, and small financial loans.

When possible, Refuge partners with students’ families who give what they can to participate in their child’s care. Though families often don’t have many resources, they often sacrifice by selling a cow or a small piece of land to help their children attending universities purchase books, provide a little weekly spending money, or purchase a motor bike for transportation.

In 2019, Refuge opened the Refuge Center, a home for the most vulnerable and at risk children, teens and college students from all over Cambodia. Currently, there are 35 students living at the Center who are cared for by eight full-time Cambodian staff. The elementary and high school age students receive a private Christian school education, while the college age students receive tuition to attend Cambodian colleges or vocational schools. Additionally, the students receive safe housing, their daily, medical, and dental needs, and they are discipled in Christ by Refuge Center staff. 

Refuge Center staff lead the students through intentional discipleship and training programs, and the students study the Bible a couple evenings a week. There is an established church on campus, where students attend church and Sunday school each week. Depending on their giftings, students serve in various ministries at the church, including teaching children’s Sunday school, or leading worship. 

Our hope and prayer is that those who do not know Jesus will encounter Him studying the Bible and the loving Christian community around them at the Center.

Refuge Center staff and older students also love their neighbors by providing English and Computer classes for neighborhood children, and two volleyball courts on property also serve to attract kids, creating opportunities to share the good news of Jesus Christ!