It’s 07:30 and team members in Phnom Penh are unlocking the security gate in front of their house. Owners of motorbike-taxis are already waiting on the street outside. Two of the staff wedge themselves behind a driver and they take off. Even at this hour the heat and pollution are oppressive. The fifteen-minute ride through heavy traffic --fraught with near-collisions with other vehicles--takes them past rows of sidewalk vendors including Buddha shops, and over the Monivong bridge.

Their destination lies behind another gate. The “White House” is a large, two-story building serving as the base for Mercy Teams International (MTI)
Since starting the ministry from scratch in 2004, Singapore social workers Elijah and Grace Sim have made extraordinary progress.

MTI’s focus is children at risk. Nearly 43% of Cambodia’s population is under age 15. In the capital city, 10-15,000 children are regularly on the streets, working or begging. Sexual exploitation and trafficking of children is commonplace. For many destitute families living on an average yearly income of perhaps U.S.$310, the prospect of earning $150 for the sale of a virgin daughter is irresistable. UN ESCAP reports that "Khmer girls have been trafficked out of Cambodia by the thousands to meet demand for child prostitutes in Thailand." But girls—often very young--are also subject to molestation in the home or extended family. And other injuries to boys and girls through domestic violence are part of everyday life.

The Sims’ anti-abuse strategy encompasses prevention, remedial care, and training. Prevention means community education and practical help. In the destitute neighborhoods close to MTI, a tough economic situation is made even tougher by fires and floods.

“The area has had three fires with 100 family homes destroyed. People call the fire department, but when the engines come the firemen want money before putting the fire out! And almost every year the Mekong River floods the villages. Each time they have to start again.” For such people, life is a daily struggle simply to survive.

“You can see children on the streets collecting rubbish to sell and sniffing glue, which often leads to brain damage or more serious drug-taking. Drugs are sold openly here, and violence in the home is often a result. That’s why we have a holistic view of helping whole families,” explains Elijah. “Parents don’t always see education as important—only as a loss of income. We are still trying to deal with that, and hope to develop income generation schemes in the future.”

At the White House, a weekly club helps staff get to know neighbourhood children and identify their problems. About 120 boys and girls happily converge to take baths, get their hair washed or cut, receive first aid, play games, and listen to stories. They also learn ways to protect themselves from abuse.

Staff members give a monthly radio talk on FEBC, covering issues such as parenting, marriage, and dealing with anger. The call-in program has received a good response, and Trans World Radio is now interested in adding a similar broadcast. MTI is aware of the need to work together and regularly meets with other agencies in Cambodia concerned with child welfare.

The White House is equipped with several meeting and counselling areas, with one room used for play therapy. Although Grace and Elijah are MTI’s only professionals at the moment, they are expecting to welcome two more social workers from the UK and Singapore in the coming year, as well as a psychiatrist from Finland. The Sims are also committed to training Cambodians. Four of their staff are studying for certificates. MTI plans to offer a one-year intensive course in counselling in 2006, not only for its own workers but for those in other NGOs.

“Once we have adequate trained staff, we can research the feasibility of starting a short-term crisis center for abused children,” asserts Elijah. “There is definitely a need. Although there are residential facilities, these put orphans together with sexually abused children and those who are commercial sex workers. Our dream is to provide a shelter where a team of professionals can help the recovery of abused children and families.”

Cambodia’s killing fields are still killing, with the greatest number of landmines per capita in the world. But millions of other men, women and children face a slower death through destitution, disease, and abuse. This December 900 Cambodian children will receive what may be their first-ever Christmas presents, packed in shoeboxes from MTI. Far more significantly, the work of Mercy Teams makes it possible for them to receive the gift of eternal life and hope. Through our support, we, too, can take part in making a difference.

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