In Search of Light
Shanty
Town Spirit and Koya Project ventured out to Boeung Tumpun to donate some games
and clothing to the Light of Mercy program and survey the site for an
aquaponics system to be installed.
Light
of Mercy is a center for children with
disabilities which was born out of the loving compassion heart of two sisters:
Sister Marie-Adelphe, and Sister Denise.
 |
| Program Director Sister Marie-Adelphe with Princess Ermine |
It is sad to say but often Khmer children with disabilities are left alone unattended at their houses while their parents are out working and don’t have much opportunity for education or a better quality of life.
The
Center is run by the Providence Sisters as part of the Jesuit Service Cambodia and
is aptly named “Light of Mercy” with the idea that this place offers light to children
who are in darkness because of their disabilities and impairments (blind, deaf
and intellectual) and a home full of mercy and loving compassion.
 |
| Smiles from Light of Mercy |
They educate these
children on the personal hygiene, environmental sanitation, socialisation and domestic
tasks to make them more self- sufficient. The children attend school
appropriate for their needs and receive extra curriculum activities through the
center such as traditional and modern music, dance, language, and learning simple
craft skills to enrich their lives.
We were impressed
by the shining eyes of the 32 children who live here and how much light they
radiate from within. The environment is very peaceful and you can feel the loving
compassion being generated. The residents aged 9-25 years, treat one another kindly,
demonstrated by the blind kids being guided about the center by their seeing
buddies.
Light of Mercy
would like to raise funds to install an aquaponics system from the Koya project,
in order to teach their residents new techniques for agricultural
production which they could later use to sell at their local in local market if
or when they return to their province. They could also share their knowledge with
other people in their community so everyone could benefit from this technology.
 |
| This lovely girl was born with multiple disabilities (deaf, blind & severe scoliosis) |
To help visit koyaproject.org Words by Jessica Sander
You can help these kids
You can help these kids
by sponsoring the Shanty Town Spirit program
Click on Make a difference
Or contact
Ermine Norodom: +855 (0) 17 49 27 19 (French and English)
Phirun Prak (Arun): +855 (0) 96 663 6666 (English and Khmer)
22:49
aquaponics, Children center, disability, environment, Ermine Norodom, Koyaproject, Light of Mercy, Shanty Town Spirit, sustainability
Location:
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
